Data from mobile apps is helping experts to fight Covid-19. Here, we show how.
Apps are very popular, accessed for a broad range of uses. But some of the most popular apps are for social communication. And they are being accessed in the pandemic for a variety of purposes, including tracing infections.
Separately, apps are also being developed specifically for the pandemic, with different applications. In May, Nature magazine published a study looking at 50 apps from the Google Playstore with a range of functionalities.
More, they break them down into several categories. They note:
The most common functionalities of the apps are as follows: live maps and updates of confirmed cases; real-time location-based alerts; systems for monitoring and controlling home isolation and quarantine, direct reporting to government, and self-reporting of symptoms; and education about COVID-19.
Also, some more-advanced services include self-assessment of daily physiological status; monitoring of vital parameters, such as temperature, heart rate, oxygen and blood pressure, through the use of Bluetooth-enabled medical devices; virtual medical consultations (ADiLife Covid-19 in Italy); social science–based interventions based on predictive analysis of diseases in specific locations (OpenWHO); and community-driven contact tracing (TraceTogether and mfineRadar).
Separately, the Nature article discusses ethics and civil liberty implications of this data.
Many other studies are citing data directly collected from apps, too.
There are several key steps to take to reduce the spread of the virus. They are social distancing, wearing a mask, hand washing and to avoid touching of the face.
Wearing a mask is essential to halt the virus. It is one of the key steps we can all take. Here are the key mask messages:
Masks Telegraph a Key Health Message
A mask is a health message. Wearing one telegraphs an important health message.
A mask reminds the person wearing it that the virus is serious. It also reminds others of the same message, too. Please set a positive example for others. Wear a mask.
Masks Protect the Person Wearing the Mask
Masks help protect us from the virus. This is key.
Masks Protect Others, too
Masks also protect others if we have the virus. It can be days before symptoms appear. Yet, you could still spread it. Also, some people carry the virus but never experience symptoms themselves.
Please wear a mask. And encourage others, too.
A Face Shield Alone is not enough
A face shield alone will not stop COVID-19. Here is why.
We first published this story on September 2. It is worth repeating:
A simple study shows the limits of a plastic face shield. And that they will not protect us from the virus. But they have some benefits. Instead, you need to wear a face mask. Masks are key to halting the virus.
A study done at the Florida Atlantic University shows that a face shield alone will not protect the person wearing the shield. Also, they will not protect others.
However, wearing a face mask with the face shield does work.
Face shields alone do not protect us. But they do provide advantages. Experts point out that a face shield will protect the eyes and discourage touching of the face.