Category: Technology

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Business Coronavirus Opinion Technology

Would you like to be tracked by your Smartphone if you get COVID-19?

I took a little flack when I mentioned COVID-19 carriers should have to wear dayglow clothing so people could identify them. I’ve also written about countries tracking people using their Smartphone location data who should be in quarantine.

Since then, there’s been reports of issuing COVID-19 folks a card they’d keep in their wallet to identify them with the disease. Not sure how that helps anyone, but okay.

Since it’s unlikely any of those efforts will work, Google and Apple are teaming up to create an app that will perform ‘digital tracing’ of COVID-19 folks. I guess they figure if folks are too ashamed to identify themselves, they’ll let your phone identify you.

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Community News Coronavirus Technology

Keep your Smartphone quarantined even if you have to go out

Increasingly, people are being asked to quarantine for a couple weeks if they come in contact with someone who has coronavirus. The quarantine is designed to keep you away from others so you don’t spread the virus, and it’s to keep an eye on you just in case you have the virus, too.


It’s the ‘keep and eye on you’ part where the Smartphone comes in.


It’s been reported that in some countries where they are cracking down on sticking to the rules, you better not get caught at Target buying toilet paper or stocking your pantry if you’re supposed to be home quarantining (is that a word?). They are using all the surveillance tools available to trace your steps to make sure you stay home.

Categories
Coronavirus Technology

The only two COVID-19 maps you need

If you live in Delaware County Pennsylvania, here’s your Delco COVID-19 map.

If you live anywhere else, here’s your world COVID-19 map.

This may be my shortest blog post ever.

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Community News Coronavirus Opinion Politics Technology

Chester City Council Meeting via Facebook Live

Due to the coronoavirus and the need to shut down City Hall from the public, today’s City Council meeting was held in an empty chamber and broadcasted on Facebook Live. With the number of people who viewed it, this seems to be an effective way of reaching far more people than can sit in chambers and see a city council meeting in person.
It lasted about 15-minutes and they agreed to keep the State of Emergency Declaration going; demolish Pulaski School to make way for a recreation center; and approved something with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
No one emailed or called in any public comments.
I imagine they’re recording on a Smartphone which gives a decent image, but it’s hard to hear what they’re saying most of the time. Speaking louder would help or get one of those mics you can plug into the phone to pick up sound a lot better.
These mics are well under $100. Here’s what they look like.
iphone mic