How Civic Technology Can Help Stop a Pandemic

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/asia/2020-03-20/how-civic-technology-can-help-stop-pandemic

Jaron Lanier

E. Glen Weyl

Foreign Affairs Magazine

6 April 2020

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Taiwan has gone largely unscathed thus far by the coronavirus, showing that their methodology of relying on civic technology has merit to be a model for other countries. Through a combination of "community initiatives, hackathons, and digital deliberation" Taiwan has been able to utilize "broad digital participation and community-driven tool development," both democratically and efficiently.

Alcoholics Anonymous members find support online during coronavirus pandemic

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/05/us/alcoholics-anonymous-coronavirus-online/index.html

Denise Royal

CNN

5 April 2020

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Social connection and support are crucial for people in the Alcoholics Anonymous program, so the social distancing mandated by COVID-19 has been particularly stressful. To try to recreate the same atmosphere and safe space, AA groups are moving their meetings online with Zoom. Participants describe it as a "godsend" and say that it helps fill that void during the crisis-filled time of a pandemic.

A German Exception? Why the Country's Coronavirus Death Rate Is Low

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/04/world/europe/germany-coronavirus-death-rate.html

Katrin Bennhold

The New York Times

4 April 2020

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Germany has had plenty of coronavirus patients—more than 100,000 laboratory-confirmed infections—but their death rate is remarkably low compared to neighboring countries. Experts attribute this to extensive and widespread testing, a trusted government, social distancing, and plenty of hospital care available if needed. Their capacity is so great that the country is now taking in patients from Italy, Spain, and France. As a result, the curve is beginning to flatten in Germany.

Telemedicine Arrives in the U.K.: ‘10 Years of Change in One Week'

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/04/world/europe/telemedicine-uk-coronavirus.html

Benjamin Mueller

The New York Times

4 April 2020

Multi-Media / 800-1500 Words

Social distancing is as necessary to protect healthcare providers as it is anyone else, so primary care providers in the U.K. are begrudgingly making the move to telemedicine—meeting with and diagnosing patients over a video call. Neighborhood doctors say the new approach saves them time, and telemedicine companies say that demand and orders have increased over 70%. Doctors have also set up "dirty zones" to check possibly infected patients, and "safe zones" to see patients with other ailments.

Mapping How Cities Are Reclaiming Street Space

https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2020/04/coronavirus-city-street-public-transit-bike-lanes-covid-19/609190

Laura Bliss

CityLab

3 April 2020

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Some of the strategies urban sustainability proponents have promoted for years are now being used to manage traffic patterns during the coronavirus outbreak and ensure that essential workers can safely get to work. Could these temporary measures lead to a less car-dependent future?

With Nothing To 'Fall Back On,' Santa Monica College Food Giveaway Helps Some Students Survive

https://laist.com/2020/04/03/college-students-basic-needs-coronavirus-santa-monica-college.php

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez

LAist

3 April 2020

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In the midst of the COVID19 pandemic, California community college, Santa Monica College, organized a pop-up, drive-thru food giveaway for its students. The resources were funded with help from the Santa Monica College Foundation, and each student received non-perishables, ready-to-eat meals, and bakery items.

Here's how doctors are monitoring more than 350 Delaware coronavirus patients virtually

https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2020/04/03/delaware-christianacare-monitoring-covid-19-patients-virtually/5112582002

Brittany Horn

The News Journal (Delaware Online)

3 April 2020

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In Delaware, doctors have turned to telehealth amidst the COVID19 pandemic to treat patients safely and remotely. Using systems called ChristianaCare and CarVio, doctors are monitoring more than 350 coronavirus-positive patients, reaching out to them up to four times daily. The platforms are also being used for individuals without COVID19, who need to see a doctor for other reasons, but don’t want to risk visiting in person.

As virus rages, Berkeley's 'Mother Goose' aids homeless people abandoned by the system

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-03/coronavirus-bay-area-activists-aid-homeless-people

Rachel Scheier

Los Angeles Times

3 April 2020

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Activists in Berkeley, California, are filling in what they say is a gap in homeless services during the coronavirus outbreak. Volunteers are safely delivering food and other supplies to those without shelter.

With N95s in short supply, Lafayette General is sourcing disposable masks from surgical wraps

https://thecurrentla.com/2020/with-n95s-in-short-supply-lafayette-general-is-sourcing-disposable-masks-from-surgical-wraps

Leslie Turk

The Current

3 April 2020

Multi-Media / 800-1500 Words

Personal protective equipment has been in short supply as the pandemic caught the United States off guard. In an effort to fill the gap, a company in Louisiana called Action Specialties has been manufacturing disposable masks for healthcare workers using the blue sterilization wrap that was used to package medical instruments. There is a large supply of the wrap because demand has been down during the pandemic, so they have been working full time to produce 8,000 disposable masks each week. The masks produced will then go be distributed to hospital workers at Lafayette General Health Hospital.

This Is What The South Korean Government Comfort Package For Quarantined People Looks Like

https://www.boredpanda.com/south-korean-government-care-package

Judita Kusaitytė

Bored Panda

3 April 2020

Multi-Media / Under 800 Words

As told through the words of citizens on social media, this article lays out a number of ways the government of South Korean has been able to contain the virus. A notable thing is the care package mailed to everyone, containing hygiene essentials such as face masks and hand sanitizer, fresh produce, quarantine garbage disposal instructions, and a letter expressing concern for people’s well being. This cuts down on people in quarantine leaving home to shop for essentials. Other tactics include rapid testing and follow-up with infected patients.