Ask HN: How can I help with Covid-19?
Hello everyone,
Like many of you, I've been following closely the spread of Covid-19 over the past few weeks.
I can't help but think that, as a software engineer, there might be something I could do to contribute positively to the situation.
However since my knowledge regarding viruses, vaccines development process, containment methods and other relevant subjects is somewhat limited, I'm posting in the hopes that I can gather some ideas from the more experienced people in here regarding this.
12 comments
[ 3.3 ms ] story [ 37.9 ms ] threadDo the math on that (10M on Apr 1, 10B on May 1) and it's entirely possible that this will all pretty much have happened before much can be done technically or scientifically.
I'd love to hear that I'm totally wrong on this.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-cases/...
Seriously, this must be the pinnacle of the "I'm a software developer, therefore I can make big contributions to anything, without knowing the first thing about it" illusion that's so rampant on HN.
Usually we see it in the fields of the legal profession and finance, though.
I already do this.
> Seriously, this must be the pinnacle of the "I'm a software developer, therefore I can make big contributions to anything, without knowing the first thing about it" illusion that's so rampant on HN.
There is no illusion. I'm not implying that I can make big contributions to anything without knowing the first thing about it.
Since I don't know much about this, I'm asking the more experienced community what they think it is I could help out with, if anything.
Thanks anyway.
Random ideas:
Promote tech that reduces germ proliferation, such as self checkout, sliding doors and hot air hand dryers.
Create a company to train cashiers to stop touching their damn faces and stop licking their fingers to help open bags.
Create one of those apps for changing your bad habits and make it all about Coronavirus and prevention and getting people to wash hands, stop touching their face, etc.
There is lots you can do. The primary sticking point currently is the lack of sufficient adoption of the best practices listed by every major health organization and repeated ad nauseum online, only to be routinely ignored in actual practice. Adoption of best practices is not a solved problem by any stretch of the imagination.
I hope you are extremely successful.
Probably twelve other people will post or have already posted similar questions. Maybe there should be a master thread somewhere or a pinned thread at the top of the front page (or the top of the Ask section) or something.
The best advice I can give is look around at the information streams you have available and where there are gaps in that which you wish you knew more about. Try plugging one of those gaps by connecting together APIs from different services or suchlike, and see if after a day of two of doing so you feel significantly better informed. If that's the case then share it with others here and incorporate their feedback.