Opinion: How innovation is helping mitigate the coronavirus threat
The sudden emergence and rapid spread of a novel coronavirus, now called Covid-19, is a reminder of the power of infectious diseases. It also offers insights into how innovation and technology are better equipping us to handle public health emergencies and contain the spread of diseases.
The exponential growth of connectivity — and the access to the wealth of data it offers — allows health officials to quickly track the spread of disease, giving vulnerable populations vital information. Facebook has that display population density, demographics, and travel patterns, enabling researchers to decide where to send supplies or how to about the coronavirus, directing users to reliable sources at the CDC and WHO.
