The outbreak of the Coronavirus (CoVid-19) is not the first pandemic ever recorded in history – but it is the first one to happen in this age of fast-paced technological progress. Previous health emergencies, like the Spanish Flu Outbreak of 1918, had a devastating effect on people as there was little anybody could do to stop the disease from spreading, resulting in the infection of over 500 million people (roughly 25% of the entire world’s population at the time) and up to 50 million deaths over a period of just two years. As we speak, the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic lingers like an invisible veil over the world, but modern day technologies are playing a role in the way the entire situation is developing.

One common sight to see these days are thermal scanners, otherwise known as “temperature guns”. These small, handheld devices have become vital as the rush to identify people suffering from fever continues to increase in intensity. People that register elevated body temperatures are oftentimes refused entrance into establishments, and usually guided into a quarantine zone where further testing can take place. Another interesting application of modern technology during the pandemic is called “telemedicine” – which involves, but is not limited to, connecting with patients over the Internet in order to discuss, diagnose, and provide professional opinions through the use of video call applications similar to Viber or even through social media messaging programs like Messenger. The Internet has also made it much faster for the dissemination of news, especially compared to what was possible during the 1918 pandemic. Briefly put, the technological advancements applied to today’s world have had a wide range of positive effects that have allowed humans to be more aware, to be better prepared, and to improve the chances of spotting the infection while minimizing the probability of viral spread.

But, alas, not all of the effects of technology have been positive. The Internet has also been a vehicle for the spreading of hate, misinformation, and fake news all over the world, causing unnecessary confusion for those who are not quick enough to spot it. This poses a real danger because people may be deceived by these posts and be compelled to engage in behavior dangerous to themselves and their loved ones. Because of this, many social media sites like Facebook have started to take down posts that are universally identified as “fake” or “unreliable”, and have even shut down advertisements that falsely claim to sell cures for CoVid-19. The best way to avoid these pitfalls is to, first, fact-check information before sharing. By doing that, you greatly lessen the circulation of fake news, thereby leading to people being better informed. Lastly, the best advice to staying CoVid-free is to just remain at home for the time being and avoid human contact as much as possible until the pandemic dies a natural death.

Doctors all over the country have risked their lives working in the front lines to subdue the spread of CoVid-19. If you are one of them, then TukkoMed salutes you! Contact us today for more information on how we have helped many physicians, just like you, focus on healthcare.

 

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