COVID-19 US

The recent coronavirus outbreak has left many with questions. What is coronavirus? Do I have it? Should I self-isolate? Where can I get necessary supplies? Our goal is to create an app that answers these questions and more. More specifically, our app contains 4 pages. First is a page that provides links to local accurate information from each state's government. Next is a page that describes the current national guidelines for the COVID-19 outbreak as well as basic information about the disease (symptoms, prevention, travel advice...).  The app also charts daily symptoms and vital signs, as well as all of the people that the user comes in contact with. This will make it easier to track and manage the spread of disease. Finally, there is a page describing local store inventories. In the future, this could be extended to other countries to provide the same valuable information.

Type "coronavirus" into google and you will reap over 4 billion results. Everyone has an opinion, from expert scientists to your next-door neighbors. There is ambiguity about best practices and accurate information. This pandemic is an international issue that affects nearly every global citizen. The number of cases in the United States is currently escalating, and is on track to continue with exponential growth. There is a need for a streamlined source of information in order to help individuals make informed decisions that are most beneficial to their health. Additionally, monitoring symptoms and contacts allows people to maintain a continuous record of their health. This record would be helpful for healthcare professionals if the individual becomes ill. Finally, there is currently a high demand for essentials such as toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, and non-perishable foods. Stores need a way to update the public about what they have available, which also allows the public to have more ease in shopping. They can take more efficient trips which results in less human contacts and less spread of the disease.

Our solution is to create an app that can provide reliable information and useful resources in this otherwise confusing and stressful time. The first way we will do this is with the ‘information’ tab, in which we provide users with the latest COVID-19 updates nationally and locally. The app will also feature a symptom and contact tracker for users who are concerned about having contracted the virus. This tracker will be a calendar, wherein users can answer daily questions regarding their overall wellbeing, temperature, and symptoms.  The calendar will also feature a map wherein users can pin locations to record where and with whom they made contacts. This information will be indescribably helpful for healthcare providers in the event a user does have coronavirus. Next, a locator will filter through the inventories of local stores and find the nearest available location of the resource of interest (i.e. groceries or soap). Lastly, the app will provide niche information that is applicable to the user, such as tips for managing fear of the coronavirus, supporting kids and teens, or reducing anxiety.  Overall, the app seeks to provide specifically accurate resources to each user in light of the everchanging coronavirus outbreak situation.

Our solution aims to serve the entire US population amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  In this time of great confusion, misinformation, and stress, we hope to be a multifaceted source of relief via an informational app.  The informational sections of the app will provide our users with the most up to date and accurate information, which should eliminate some of the confusion and stress.  The app will also provide relaxation and anxiety reducing resources for users in need. Furthermore, the app will give users a clear sense of what action should be taken in the event of suspected infection.  The symptom tracker will provide consequential information for health care providers in the event of COVID-19 infection, and the contact tracker will be instrumental to managing and containing the outbreak. Overall, the app will decrease the misinformation and stress surrounding COVID-19 and streamline management of the pandemic.

Our app’s goal is to slow the spread of COVID-19 and provide accurate information about the disease. By combating the misinformation, stress, and shortages facing the country currently, we will help improve the conditions caused by COVID-19. The US is at the beginning of the curve compared to other affected countries. Our hope to get ahead of the issues to come and set our community up to be in the best position possible amidst an extremely challenging situation.