All The COVID-19 Technology, Plus Surveillance Tech Under Legal Scrutiny
This week in tech
You probably noticed that COVID-19 is canceling everything, everywhere. Today’s newsletter is mostly a rundown of how technology helps us keep the world running, mitigate the impact of the virus, track its spread, and more. As hospitals struggle to keep pace with and scientists work towards a vaccine, we all have to do our part to fight this outbreak, and technology is here to help.
Everyone is going remote. Social distancing is critically important to slow the spread of the virus, and keep hospital loads manageable. Everything from office work, to college classes, to social drinking is going online. It’s a testament to the incredible engineering and infrastructure work that internet connectivity can keep up with increased demand. Experts also suggest, to limit the flow of people in and out of stores.
While experts recommend using internet-backed delivery services for groceries and other goods if those services are available to you, the pandemic has further exposed some of the underlying inequities for those service workers. Most of these workers do not have sick leave or medical insurance — putting them at greater risk and disincentivizing them from practicing social distancing, even if they get sick. Some companies (like Uber) have bowed to…
