Hi-Tech: Advanced solutions for current problems

• Author: JASON BLACKSHAW
• Published date: 06 December 2020
• Date: 06 December 2020
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Contracting corona

With regard to battling the COVID-19 pandemic, technology can be a big help. Biotechnology scientists are developing new drugs and medical devices to combat the virus, and hi-tech companies are devising instruments to help neutralize the factors that spread the disease.

The virus spreads from person to person, usually via close contact. According to the Israel Center for Disease Control, simply being near an infected person who coughs, sneezes or talks can expose one to the viral respiratory droplets. If those particles land in one's eyes, nose or mouth or if they are inhaled into the lungs, one could become infected. People might also contract the infection if viral particles get on their hands by, say, shaking hands with someone whose hands are contaminated with the virus, and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

Technology versus the virus

What's more, one could be infected by touching a contaminated surface and inadvertently transferring the virus onto their body. To that end, technological developments within the context of the smart home and IoT (Internet of things) technologies have found a partial solution for decontaminating surfaces in the home environment.

A smart switch

For example, an Israeli company Bswitch has developed the Bswitch, a central monitoring system that is designed to connect and/or create smart homes and offices. The Bswitch enables the user to control all home appliances, office equipment, and lighting via remote control or one's smart phone. The Bswitch minimizes the need to touch exposed surfaces and therefore helps minimize the spread of the coronavirus, making the home or office a safer place. The system can activate and/or shut down any electrical devices that are connected to it, such as air conditioners, ovens, electric shutters, water heater or garden sprinklers.

(photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

Outreach during lockdowns

The pandemic spreads primarily through the physical interaction of people. To minimize the rate of infection, governments have imposed lockdowns to curtail social interaction as much as possible. During a lockdown, people cannot get together with family members or shop for anything but food or medication because all other stores are closed to the public. However, besides food and medication, people require other essentials, so they have to maintain contact and interact with others.

Modern technology, especially the Internet, is helping to minimize the restrictive nature of lockdowns...