How Technology is Critical to Social Distancing
The corona-virus pandemic is proving to be one of the greatest challenges of the 21st-century. It is an unprecedented crisis that requires innovative solutions. Fortunately, technology is playing an important role in staving off these issues.
Social distancing is one of the most important things people can do to avoid the crisis. Technology is helping us promote social distancing in ways that were not possible with previous pandemics. This will help minimize the spread of the virus and thereby keep the healthcare system from being overwhelmed. This is going to be important in the months to come, because most experts don’t expect a vaccine to be available until at least December.
Organizations are taking a number of steps to promote social distancing, such as using social distancing stickers. Technology will play an important role in it as well.
How will technology promote social distancing? Some of the key benefits are listed below.
Enabling remote working
We have had the technology to work remotely for a long time. However, most people were not allowed to do so prior to the pandemic.
The pandemic has changed our attitudes on remote working. One poll by Gallup found that the share of the population that was working remotely increased to 57% by April 2. Before that time, only about a third of the workforce was working remotely.
This is arguably the biggest benefit of technology in the fight against COVID-19. Technology that enables remote working has played an important role in social distancing. Workers are far safer staying at home then they would be going to the office with all of their coworkers.
Using technology for contact tracing
Contact tracing is another benefit of technological advances, which plays an important role in promoting social distancing. Many other countries did a better job with contract tracing in the United States during the beginning of the pandemic. South Korea and Singapore are two prime examples. Their initial commitment to social distancing appears to be one of the reasons that they are countries fared better against the pandemic.
The United States has since taken a new push towards using contact tracing to promote social distancing. There was some resistance to the idea in the early months of the pandemic, because many people were worried about the idea of the government spying on them.
However, people have since warmed up to the idea. They realize that tracing people that have been infected to encourage others to social distance from them is a good idea. Google and Apple have started working together on new technology to promote contact tracing.
Using VoIP for social communication
Social interaction is a fundamental human need. People have struggled to satisfy their social needs during the pandemic.
Fortunately, new technology has made it easier for them to keep in touch and satisfy their need for social interaction. A growing number of people are using platforms like Zoom to stay in touch with their family and friends.
Ordering products online instead of visiting physical retailers
Grocery stores and other retailers are major sources of infection. People need to avoid them at all possible costs.
Technology has helped curb the spread of COVID-19 by allowing people to make purchases online. Amazon, Instacart and other online retailers have been swamped during the pandemic. They have done an excellent job helping people get the products they need without risking getting infected.
Technology is crucial to ensure social distancing
Social distancing is an important part of fighting COVID-19. People are far less likely to get infected if they avoid unnecessary contact with others. The good news is that technology has made this easier than with previous pandemics. This will save lives until a vaccine is available.
About the Author
Bibhuranjan Editorial Officer, technofaq.org I'm an avid tech enthusiast at heart. I like to mug up on new and exciting developments on science and tech and have a deep love for PC gaming. Other hobbies include writing blog posts, music and DIY projects.
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