J. Nivedaa
18/UCMA/274
The novel coronavirus recently known as COVID-19 has been spreading like wildfire across the globe. It has affected nearly five million and has claimed the lives of around three lakh people worldwide. It was first detected in Wuhan, China and was reported to the WHO Country Office in China on 31 December 2019. Due to its rapid spread, a complete lockdown was imposed for the past few months in highly affected countries including India, where more than a lakh cases have been reported. During this lockdown period, where people are strictly not allowed to step outside their houses, information technology has indeed played a very vital role in the daily routine of the common public. The governments of various countries have also been immensely benefited due to the innovation of technology and artificial intelligence during this phase of the pandemic. This article focuses on the significance and role of information technology during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the first pandemic in human history where technology and social media are being used on a massive scale to keep people safe, productive and connected while being physically apart.
The main areas in which Information Technology has played a key role during this phase are as follows:
Online Shopping :
Due to the fear of the disease and due to the restriction imposed by the government, when people were stranded hopelessly not knowing how to purchase essentials and luxuries during this tough phase, online shopping platforms proved extremely useful and timely. Online grocery delivery apps like Big Basket, Grofers, etc. which deliver essential items like groceries, fruits and vegetables at the respective residences of people were being used extensively.
e-Banking :
Electronic transfer of funds through various mediums like Phone Pe, PayPal, NEFT, Google Pay, etc. for various purposes like Electricity Bill payment, credit card payment, payment of rent, mobile recharging, transfer of funds to friends / relatives and for other essential needs are on the rise during this period. It is indeed a good sign for the development of a cashless economy.
Entertainment Avenues:
Due to the increased number of hours at home, viewership of entertainment platforms like television, radio, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc. has increased manifold during this period. Subscription by the public to such channels has multiplied and these have kept them entertained, and diverts their mind from the panic of the pandemic.
Work from home:
Most importantly, during this period of economic recession, when employers are forced to credit salaries to all employees, they expect the employees to work from home without fail. The modernisation of Information Technology has enabled people to carry out their office work online using desktops/laptops at their respective houses.
Increased use of e-mails:
As courier and postal services had been suspended during this period of lockdown, the usage of emails had increased substantially, proving to be a very effective source of formal and informal communications.
Learning Apps:
School and College students are able to access online content for their subjects through various learning apps like BYJUs, Khan Academy and through other coaching avenues either for free or by making a payment. The Tamil Nadu government has recently brought about the idea of launching a learning app namely, ‘Vagupparai Nokkin’ as a means of fostering online education.
Online Coaching:
Colleges give online coaching for their students through Webinars, where professors give lectures through applications like MS Teams, Google Meet, etc.
Online Courses:
Online courses and online internships are offered during this period either for free or on making a payment by various websites like Alison, My Captain, Coursera, etc. Certain Universities like Harvard University have also created online courses for students to take part during this lock down.
Online Contests:
Various online and quizzes have been organised by various educational institutions and companies to keep students productively engaged during this time.
Video Conferencing:
Important formal meetings, conferences, seminars and discussions were scheduled by various companies and organisations during this period with the usage of apps like Google Meet, Google Hangouts, Google Duo, Skype, etc.
Video chats:
During this lock down period, usage of apps for informal video chatting with friends, relatives and loved ones have been on the rise. Apps like Skype, Facetime, What’s app video Call, etc. have been handy in this process.
Social Media:
Usage of Social media platforms like Whatsapp, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Google + and many more have increased at a rapid rate during this period. Creating public awareness about the danger of this disease and precautions to be followed were successfully and quickly circulated to all parts of the globe due to the technological advancements and innovations with the help of the media.
Frequent interviews with doctors from various fields are being broadcasted on radios and television. This is mainly aimed at creating an awareness about this pandemic and also for removing any fear or depression which people might have during this lockdown.
Aarogya Setu App:
Aarogya Setu App was developed by the National Informatics Centre which is a part of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. It is a Bluetooth-based COVID-19 tracker launched by the Government of India. The aim of the Aarogya Setu App is to augment the initiatives of the Government of India, particularly the Department of Health, in proactively reaching out to and informing the users of the app regarding the risks, best practices and relevant advisories pertaining to the containment of COVID-19. The app is available on both platforms- Android and iOS, in 11 languages - English, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Punjabi, Bengali, Oriya, Gujarati, and Marathi. The app is expected to be available in more Indian languages soon.
The government attributes the following benefits to using Aarogya Setu App:
The Aarogya Setu App works on Bluetooth-based technology and tries to determine risk based on the user's location.
The risk factor is also based on the data available for that particular location.
It keeps the user informed in case he/she has crossed paths with the positive COVID-19 case within 6-feet proximity.
The app recommends several measures to the user such as Self-Assessment Test, Social distancing, dos and don'ts, amid COVID-19.
The Aarogya Setu App also informs the user about the precautionary measures, and how to maintain social distancing in the times of global pandemic.
As per the statement by PMO, the app could also be an e-pass, facilitating travel from one place to another.
In case, a user is at high risk, the app will advise him/her to go for a test at a nearby testing centre and call the toll-free number, 1075, immediately.
The app is also equipped with a chatbot that answers all the basic questions on coronavirus disease or COVID-19.
The users can also find the helpline numbers for each state in India.
Usage of Drones by the government during this lockdown:
With India under lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus, drones are proving to be a crucial tool in the functioning of law enforcement authorities and other government agencies which are deploying these Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for carrying out surveillance, sanitisation and to reach out to people, minimising the risk of infection for their personnel.
While Gujarat Police is using 200 drones across the state to monitor people's movements, Delhi Police has deployed them to ensure people follow social distancing in Asia's largest fruit and vegetable wholesale market, Azadpur Mandi.
Municipal authorities in Madurai are utilising them to disinfect areas near the coronavirus wing of a city hospital.
Cities under lockdown, are using drones to transport medical supplies, patient samples and even spray disinfectant across large areas.
According to authorities aerial tech is an effective way to scan and identify someone needing medical attention and warn those not wearing masks.
Technology’s aid to Governments:
Governments of various countries are using technology to a very great extent during these pandemic days, as it helps them track cases and quarantine them faster.
Computer modelling of the coronavirus’ spread based on travel data is aiding epidemiologists predict its next move.
Important instructions and restrictions imposed by the governments are able to be communicated effectively and instantaneously to the citizens through various forms of media, due to the advancement of information technology.
Government officials and Ministers are also able to reach out and discuss with other officials through video conferences.
To avoid fake news creating panic about this pandemic from spreading through forward messages, various social media platforms have helped the government by restricting the forwarding of unwanted messages and taking action to curb this peril.
Information Technology in Medical Science during Covid-19:
The role of information technology in medical science during COVID-19 has been great. Tech has a history of helping the medical industry track and treat viruses. In terms of COVID-19, we are seeing another rise in digital epidemiology tools including the recently launched thermal scanner, chatbot helpers, EHR guidance tools and rapid-response test kits.
COVID-first virtual care: Telemedicine Company Fruit Street Health launched a new risk assessment, triage and video consult platform designed specifically to handle potential COVID-19 cases.
More psychiatric therapeutics: Pear Therapeutics is rolling out its new digital therapeutic aimed at treating schizophrenia for limited distribution, after the FDA loosened up its regulations for digital psychiatric disorders devices during the coronavirus crisis.
New online training resource. UK-based health tech firm Medical Realities has launched a free online resource to train healthcare workers in essential, safe and core practices for COVID-19.
Information Technology has thus proved really very effective, informative and handy in various areas and sectors during this COVID-19 lockdown. It has, in fact, become a part of everybody’s routine in some way or the other during this tough phase.
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