[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":377},["ShallowReactive",2],{"slug-how-germany-leveraged-digital-health-to-combat-covid-19":3},{"post":4,"relatedPosts":173,"relatedBooks":293},{"id":5,"date":6,"date_gmt":7,"guid":8,"modified":10,"modified_gmt":11,"slug":12,"status":13,"type":14,"link":15,"title":16,"content":18,"excerpt":21,"author":23,"featured_media":24,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":29,"categories":30,"tags":34,"project_category":40,"contact_email_category":41,"yst_prominent_words":42,"class_list":63,"better_featured_image":78,"acf":110,"yoast_meta":118,"_links":120},27393,"2020-04-09T10:00:00","2020-04-09T08:00:00",{"rendered":9},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=27393&_wpnonce=318fb1f700&status=auto-draft&type=post","2021-01-21T09:57:58","2021-01-21T08:57:58","how-germany-leveraged-digital-health-to-combat-covid-19","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-germany-leveraged-digital-health-to-combat-covid-19",{"rendered":17},"How Germany Leveraged Digital Health to Combat COVID-19",{"rendered":19,"protected":20},"\n\u003Cp>If you take a look at the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgisanddata.maps.arcgis.com\u002Fapps\u002Fopsdashboard\u002Findex.html#\u002Fbda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6\" target=\"_blank\">number of novel coronavirus cases\u003C\u002Fa>, you will notice that Germany ranks among the top in terms of most cases. Now, if you take a closer look, you will see that the number of fatal cases in the country is merely a fraction of the total cases. Their \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statista.com\u002Fstatistics\u002F1105914\u002Fcoronavirus-death-rates-worldwide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">mortality rate\u003C\u002Fa> has been consistently lower than that of those nations sharing a similarly high number of confirmed cases like China, Italy and Spain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>How does Germany manage those numbers? \u003Cstrong>The truth is that even experts aren’t sure\u003C\u002Fstrong>. “We don’t know the reason for the lower death rate,” Marieke Degen, deputy spokeswoman of Germany’s Robert Koch Institute (RKI), \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vox.com\u002Fworld\u002F2020\u002F3\u002F27\u002F21196246\u002Fcoronavirus-germany-death-rate-covid-19-cases-italy-europe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">told \u003Cem>Vox\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, there might be several factors contributing to the country’s successful management of the pandemic. Early tests, transparent communication, a well-prepared health IT infrastructure and digital health differentiated Germany’s approach from that of other countries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite the early success, others still call for caution. They forecast a surge in cases in the coming weeks and that victory is far from over. Nevertheless, Germany makes for an interesting case study for the management of COVID-19.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Clear voice, transparent communication\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>At the beginning of the SARS outbreak, China covered up the existence of the virus from both its citizens and the world. However, the need to be transparent with such public health issues is unquestionable. Chinese officials apparently improved on that front, even if  it \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fqz.com\u002F1789867\u002Fcensorship-shackles-chinas-battle-against-wuhan-virus\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"does not convince some (opens in a new tab)\">does not convince some\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“There’s a big difference to SARS. We have a much more transparent China,” Jens Spahn, Germany’s health minister, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2020-01-24\u002Fchina-doing-good-job-in-combating-virus-german-minister-says\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">told Bloomberg\u003C\u002Fa>. “The action of China is much more effective in the first days already.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For COVID-19, \u003Cstrong>Germany was transparent from the beginning of the outbreak as well and did not delay to take strict measures\u003C\u002Fstrong>. They became one of the first countries to develop \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eurosurveillance.org\u002Fcontent\u002F10.2807\u002F1560-7917.ES.2020.25.3.2000045\" target=\"_blank\">a reliable COVID-19 test\u003C\u002Fa> back in January. They rolled out production soon after to reach the population quicker. In comparison, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. stalled, allowing tests from large companies to manufacture their tests \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftime.com\u002F5812555\u002Fgermany-coronavirus-deaths\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">only in March\u003C\u002Fa>, leading to a shortage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The country’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FF9ei40nxKDc\" target=\"_blank\">sent out strong, yet clear messages\u003C\u002Fa> to the population to respect restrictions imposed so as to curb the spread. “This is serious,” she said in her speech. “Since German unification — no, since the Second World War — no challenge to our nation has ever demanded such a degree of common and united action.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kanzlerin Merkel Spricht zu BürgernInnen über das Corona Virus (Englische Untertitel)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FF9ei40nxKDc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The earlier the better\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another contributing factor is the earlier testing and tracing performed in the Central European country. “\u003Cstrong>One advantage Germany has is that we started doing professional contact tracing when the first cases were reported\u003C\u002Fstrong>,” \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fworld\u002F2020\u002Fmar\u002F22\u002Fgermany-low-coronavirus-mortality-rate-puzzles-experts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">said Marylyn Addo\u003C\u002Fa>, head of the infectiology department at Hamburg’s University Medical Centre. “It bought us some time to prepare our clinics for the coming storm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To further help towards tracking those exposed, German authorities eye a method employed by some countries like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fcoronavirus-south-koreas-success-in-controlling-disease-is-due-to-its-acceptance-of-surveillance-134068\" target=\"_blank\">South Korea\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F3\u002F17\u002F21183716\u002Fcoronavirus-covid-19-israel-natanyahu-cellphone-data-tracking\" target=\"_blank\">Israel\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.channelnewsasia.com\u002Fnews\u002Fsingapore\u002Fcovid19-trace-together-mobile-app-contact-tracing-coronavirus-12560616\" target=\"_blank\">Singapore\u003C\u002Fa>: phone tracking. The German health ministry drafted changes to the Infection Protection Act law . This will enable, among other measures, the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencemag.org\u002Fnews\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fcellphone-tracking-could-help-stem-spread-coronavirus-privacy-price\" target=\"_blank\">tracking of those exposed to COVID-19\u003C\u002Fa>. However, such methods are understandably raising privacy issues and need clearer protocols before placed into action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002Ftrace-together-covid-19-phone-tracking-app-768x473.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27411\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002Ftrace-together-covid-19-phone-tracking-app-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002Ftrace-together-covid-19-phone-tracking-app.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tracetogether.gov.sg\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Healthcare institutions even tested people who presented with milder symptoms. They could effectively be monitored and quarantined to prevent cross-infection. \u003Cstrong>The country now plans to test \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dailymail.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002Farticle-8166599\u002FGermany-test-200-000-people-DAY-coronavirus.html\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>200 000 people a day\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>. Such measures can alleviate the burden on the healthcare system.\u003Cbr>“In general, we have a rather good intensive care situation in Germany,” virologist \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vox.com\u002Fworld\u002F2020\u002F3\u002F27\u002F21196246\u002Fcoronavirus-germany-death-rate-covid-19-cases-italy-europe\" target=\"_blank\">Martin Stürmer said\u003C\u002Fa>. “We have highly specialized doctors and facilities, and maybe that’s part of the reason why our severely ill patients survive compared to those in other countries.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Digital health to the rescue\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The importance of digital health became paramount during the ongoing pandemic. It put \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcovid-19-was-needed-for-telemedicine-to-finally-go-mainstream\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">telemedicine on the fast track\u003C\u002Fa> as a means to monitor patients without having them risk going out. Robots became \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fedition.cnn.com\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F23\u002Ftech\u002Fchina-tech-coronavirus-outbreak\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\">the de facto assistant\u003C\u002Fa> in healthcare institutions being impervious to infections; allowing \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnypost.com\u002F2020\u002F03\u002F20\u002Fthailand-hospitals-use-ninja-robots-to-fight-coronavirus\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">remote consultations\u003C\u002Fa> and even to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feandt.theiet.org\u002Fcontent\u002Farticles\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Frobots-keep-elderly-connected-with-loved-ones-during-coronavirus\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">keep the elderly connected\u003C\u002Fa> to loved ones. Those abiding to the #stayathome mantra are staying healthy indoors with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-apps-to-use-during-the-covid-19-quarantine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">digital health apps\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003Cstrong>Germany was swift to adopt similar solutions\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Health Innovation Hub, established by Germany’s Ministry of Health, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Feurope\u002Fgermany-benefits-digital-health-infrastructure-during-covid-19-pandemic\" target=\"_blank\">published a list of trusted telemedicine services\u003C\u002Fa>. Most of these are available for free, towards which citizens can turn during the pandemic. GPs and specialists can offer remote consultations, helping in patient monitoring even during the lockdown. A local startup, DOCYET, launched \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcorona.docyet.com\u002Fclient\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\">an online chatbot\u003C\u002Fa> to screen for those potentially infected with COVID-19. After analyzing the user’s input, the chatbot provides a risk assessment and even the option for a telemedicine consultation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26459\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As a means to find innovative solutions to tackle the crisis, the German government \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.euractiv.com\u002Fsection\u002Fdigital\u002Fnews\u002Fgerman-covid19-hackathon-deliver-800-projects\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">organized a dedicated hackathon\u003C\u002Fa> with over 42 000 participants. \u003Cstrong>The latter came up with more than 800 projects\u003C\u002Fstrong>, including an \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsymptomtracker.de\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">online symptom tracker\u003C\u002Fa>. The latter functions as a diary to monitor one’s symptoms so health authorities can screen for suspicious cases more quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It might be surprising then that until 2018, the country didn’t allow remote consultations. But once restrictions lifted, \u003Cstrong>authorities worked steadily towards setting up the necessary infrastructure to support such digital health solutions\u003C\u002Fstrong>. The German parliament even \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Feurope\u002Fgermany-introduces-digital-supply-act-digitalise-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">passed the Digital Care Act\u003C\u002Fa> some months ago. It’s a direct attempt to not only digitize the country’s healthcare but to become a leader in digital health. It actively promotes digital technologies’ use while providing care, which is crucial in fighting the pandemic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Just the beginning…\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, Germany’s apparent success might be due to other factors altogether, according to some experts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Early testing and testing those with milder symptoms brought the total number of cases closer to the actual number. \u003Cstrong>Other countries that have not adopted this approach or where tests are harder to provide have more undocumented cases, which could bring their mortality rate down\u003C\u002Fstrong>. “I assume that many young Italians are or were infected without ever being detected,” \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fworld\u002F2020\u002Fmar\u002F22\u002Fgermany-low-coronavirus-mortality-rate-puzzles-experts\" target=\"_blank\">said Christian Drosten\u003C\u002Fa>, a virologist at Berlin’s Charité hospital. “This also explains the virus’s supposedly higher mortality rate there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"510\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fat-home-covid-19-test-768x510.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27295\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fat-home-covid-19-test-768x510.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fat-home-covid-19-test.png 893w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.everlywell.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Others echo the same rationale that widespread testing contributed to the low fatality rate. “In some countries only very symptomatic cases are tested (e.g. in Italy) and in others a broader testing strategy is done (e.g. in Germany),” Dr. Dietrich Rothenbacher, director of the Institute for Epidemiology at Ulm University in Germany, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftime.com\u002F5812555\u002Fgermany-coronavirus-deaths\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">told TIME\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Others yet are calling for caution. “We don’t do anything special compared to other countries,” virologist Martin Stürmer \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vox.com\u002Fworld\u002F2020\u002F3\u002F27\u002F21196246\u002Fcoronavirus-germany-death-rate-covid-19-cases-italy-europe\" target=\"_blank\">told \u003Cem>Vox\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>. This could mean that the country might face a similar trend to other countries in the coming weeks. Christian Drosten, who also advises the German health ministry,  warned that\u003Cstrong> the local \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fworld\u002F2020\u002Fmar\u002F22\u002Fgermany-low-coronavirus-mortality-rate-puzzles-experts\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>number of fatal cases is likely to increase\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Cstrong>in the forthcoming weeks\u003C\u002Fstrong>. He attributes it to strained testing capacities and to the fact that high-risk zones getting harder to identify.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002Fsocial-distancing-flatten-the-curve.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27413\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.istockphoto.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However. Germany’s management of the crisis with the help of digital health and clear communication can serve as an example for others to learn from. \u003Cstrong>Once the pandemic subsides, other countries are likely to adopt similar policies\u003C\u002Fstrong> as Germany did in order to improve their healthcare system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",false,{"rendered":22,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>If you take a look at the number of novel coronavirus cases, you will notice that Germany ranks among the top in terms of most […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",16,27443,"closed",true,"","standard",{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31,32,33],6479,521,800,[35,36,37,38,39],1549,3465,3083,207,3085,[],[],[43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62],3365,3387,1571,3367,1617,3369,1681,3371,1707,3373,2649,3375,3061,3377,3379,3381,3235,3383,3277,3385,[64,14,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77],"post-27393","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-covid-19","category-future-medicine","category-healthcare-policy","tag-coronavirus","tag-germany","tag-covid","tag-digital-health","tag-covid19",{"id":24,"alt_text":79,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":80,"media_details":81,"post":5,"source_url":109},"Germany and COVID19","image",{"width":82,"height":83,"file":84,"sizes":85,"image_meta":107},1920,1080,"2020\u002F04\u002FGermany-small.jpg",{"medium":86,"large":92,"thumbnail":97,"medium_large":101,"1536x1536":102},{"file":87,"width":88,"height":89,"mime-type":90,"source_url":91},"Germany-small-370x208.jpg","370","208","image\u002Fjpeg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FGermany-small-370x208.jpg",{"file":93,"width":94,"height":95,"mime-type":90,"source_url":96},"Germany-small-768x432.jpg","768","432","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FGermany-small-768x432.jpg",{"file":98,"width":99,"height":99,"mime-type":90,"source_url":100},"Germany-small-150x150.jpg","150","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FGermany-small-150x150.jpg",{"file":93,"width":94,"height":95,"mime-type":90,"source_url":96},{"file":103,"width":104,"height":105,"mime-type":90,"source_url":106},"Germany-small-1536x864.jpg","1536","864","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FGermany-small-1536x864.jpg",{"aperture":108,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":108,"copyright":27,"focal_length":108,"iso":108,"shutter_speed":108,"title":27,"orientation":108},"0","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FGermany-small.jpg",{"cta_type":111,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":112,"related_posts_footer":115,"related_posts":20},"subscribe",[113,114],24762,24765,[116,117],27293,27325,{"yoast_wpseo_title":119,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":27,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":15},"How Germany Leveraged Digital Health to Combat COVID-19 - The Medical Futurist",{"self":121,"collection":127,"about":130,"author":133,"replies":136,"version-history":139,"predecessor-version":143,"wp:featuredmedia":147,"wp:attachment":150,"wp:term":153,"curies":169},[122],{"href":123,"targetHints":124},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F27393",{"allow":125},[126],"GET",[128],{"href":129},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[131],{"href":132},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[134],{"embeddable":26,"href":135},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F16",[137],{"embeddable":26,"href":138},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=27393",[140],{"count":141,"href":142},5,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F27393\u002Frevisions",[144],{"id":145,"href":146},27529,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F27393\u002Frevisions\u002F27529",[148],{"embeddable":26,"href":149},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F27443",[151],{"href":152},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=27393",[154,157,160,163,166],{"taxonomy":155,"embeddable":26,"href":156},"category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=27393",{"taxonomy":158,"embeddable":26,"href":159},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=27393",{"taxonomy":161,"embeddable":26,"href":162},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=27393",{"taxonomy":164,"embeddable":26,"href":165},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=27393",{"taxonomy":167,"embeddable":26,"href":168},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=27393",[170],{"name":171,"href":172,"templated":26},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",[174],{"id":117,"date":175,"date_gmt":176,"guid":177,"modified":179,"modified_gmt":180,"slug":181,"status":13,"type":14,"link":182,"title":183,"content":185,"excerpt":187,"author":23,"featured_media":189,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":190,"categories":191,"tags":192,"project_category":196,"contact_email_category":197,"yst_prominent_words":198,"class_list":218,"better_featured_image":223,"acf":243,"yoast_meta":248,"_links":251},"2020-04-02T10:00:00","2020-04-02T08:00:00",{"rendered":178},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=27325&_wpnonce=3d5fe45165&status=auto-draft&type=post","2021-01-21T09:57:47","2021-01-21T08:57:47","digital-health-apps-to-use-during-the-covid-19-quarantine","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-apps-to-use-during-the-covid-19-quarantine",{"rendered":184},"Digital Health Apps to Use During the COVID-19 Quarantine",{"rendered":186,"protected":20},"\n\u003Cp>While most of us are experiencing our very first pandemic, we are simultaneously living in an ongoing “\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002Fs\u002F615368\u002Ffacebook-twitter-social-media-infodemic-misinformation\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">infodemic\u003C\u002Fa>”. The latter refers to the widespread misinformation circulating on the web around the novel coronavirus, especially on social media. We saw the likes of reports claiming the COVID-19 being part of a biological weapons program (debunked, as the natural origins of the virus \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedaily.com\u002Freleases\u002F2020\u002F03\u002F200317175442.htm\" target=\"_blank\">have been proven\u003C\u002Fa>) or even more, let’s say, creative ones \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newsweek.com\u002Fyoutube-video-suggests-5g-internet-causes-coronavirus-people-are-falling-it-1493321\" target=\"_blank\">suggesting 5G networks cause the infection\u003C\u002Fa> (it goes without saying that there’s no relation whatsoever).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite those misconceptions and hoax stories, there are a lot of helpful resources involving smartphone apps and even social media. These include software to keep track of the COVID-19 spread, apps to receive healthcare remotely and even physical phones for contact tracing. However, some of these apps might hide malicious software that can harm your device. We’ll guide you through finding trusted apps and point out to some useful resources out there that you can use during this pandemic, all accessible via your smartphone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fposts\u002Ffree-e-book-and-35809296\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"279\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FScreenshot-2020-04-26-at-17.13.01-768x279.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27791\"\u002F\u003C\u002Fa srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FScreenshot-2020-04-26-at-17.13.01-768x279.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FScreenshot-2020-04-26-at-17.13.01-1536x557.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F04\u002FScreenshot-2020-04-26-at-17.13.01.png 1544w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Beware of the harmful coronavirus… and apps…\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Since we’re battling against both a pandemic and an infodemic, how can one choose trustworthy apps or online resources since they can themselves be sources of misinformation? As \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feconomictimes.indiatimes.com\u002Fmagazines\u002Fpanache\u002Fstay-clear-of-coronavirus-themed-android-app-it-infects-mobile-devices\u002Farticleshow\u002F74509389.cms\" target=\"_blank\">noted by cybersecurity solutions firm SonicWall\u003C\u002Fa>, some are abusing from the panic caused by COVID-19. SonicWall noted that an app going by the name of Coronavirus hides a malware that allows hackers to remotely control the user’s phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"763\" height=\"509\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fbig-tech.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27327\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Fblog.goodaudience.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Apple is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2020\u002F03\u002F05\u002Fapple-rejects-coronavirus-apps-that-arent-from-health-organizations.html\" target=\"_blank\">taking such issues seriously\u003C\u002Fa>. The tech giant is cracking down on potentially malicious software on its app store. It is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2020\u002F03\u002F05\u002Fapple-rejects-coronavirus-apps-that-arent-from-health-organizations.html\" target=\"_blank\">reportedly\u003C\u002Fa> only allowing apps from recognized institutions like governments, health organizations or hospitals. It might not help support independent developers, but Apple is apparently betting on playing it safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Apple’s direct competitor, Google, is also taking its own measures. The company’s own app store, Google Play, opened a section dedicated to COVID-19. Called “\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplay.google.com\u002Fstore\u002Fapps\u002Ftopic?id=campaign_editorial_3003109_crisis_medical_outbreak_apps_cep\" target=\"_blank\">Coronavirus: Stay informed\u003C\u002Fa>”, the page contains a curated list of apps that it certifies will help you “stay prepared and informed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Staying up-to-date with interactive dashboards\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You now know how to find reliable apps from your smartphone; but there are also useful sites online to keep you updated on the coronavirus situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One of our favourites at The Medical Futurist is the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgisanddata.maps.arcgis.com\u002Fapps\u002Fopsdashboard\u002Findex.html#\u002Fbda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6\" target=\"_blank\">online dashboard\u003C\u002Fa> from Johns Hopkins University. By aggregating data from \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsystems.jhu.edu\u002Fresearch\u002Fpublic-health\u002Fncov\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">trusted sources\u003C\u002Fa>, this interactive map displays detailed information about active, recovered and fatal cases across the globe. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Microsoft also has its own version as an \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bing.com\u002Fcovid\" target=\"_blank\">interactive Bing map\u003C\u002Fa>, which features the addition of related news. It draws its information from sources like the CDC and WHO. However, while it \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F3\u002F16\u002F21181303\u002Fmicrosoft-bing-covid-19-pandemic-map-news-stories-videos\" target=\"_blank\">might not have the most timely updates\u003C\u002Fa>, Bing’s map gives a general idea of the current situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FBing-COVID-19-Map-768x404.jpg\" alt=\"COVID-19 Quarantine Dashboards\" class=\"wp-image-27329\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FBing-COVID-19-Map-768x404.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FBing-COVID-19-Map-1536x808.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FBing-COVID-19-Map-2048x1077.jpg 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FBing-COVID-19-Map-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bing.com\u002Fcovid\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For people in the U.K., the government \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gov.uk\u002Fgovernment\u002Fpublications\u002Fcovid-19-track-coronavirus-cases\" target=\"_blank\">launched a similar COVID-19 dashboard\u003C\u002Fa>. It features data on reported cases, new cases and numbers of related deaths in its territories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another useful online source accessible from your phone is Google’s very own \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.google.com\u002Fcovid19\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">COVID-19 Information & Resources site\u003C\u002Fa>. It’s a great one-stop-shop for everything COVID-19 related; you’ll find information about the disease, data about the spread, how to protect yourself, and even videos to help you cope with the lockdown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Staying healthy indoors\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Staying shut indoors can be taxing both physically and mentally. You can’t really go jogging in the park or to the gym, and seeing the same walls all day long doesn’t help much either. Thankfully, digital health can help you stay in shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During the pandemic, Fitbit noted \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.fitbit.com\u002Fcovid-19-global-activity\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">a decline in average step counts\u003C\u002Fa> worldwide of up to 38%. This means that people are less active during these trying times. To prevent people from turning into their \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=h1BQPV-iCkU\" target=\"_blank\">counterparts depicted in Wall-E\u003C\u002Fa>, the company is offering a free 90-day Premium trial with hundreds of workouts that best suit your needs. Nike is also working towards the same goal, making its \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.nike.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnike-digital-health-activity-resources\" target=\"_blank\">Nike Training Club Premium workouts free\u003C\u002Fa>. With \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fplanetfitness\u002Fposts\u002F10157386688639856\" target=\"_blank\">free, daily livestreamed workouts\u003C\u002Fa> on Facebook, Planet Fitness wants you to stay active, healthy, and feel great right at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For healthcare professionals on the frontlines in the U. S., \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.headspace.com\u002Fhealth-covid-19\" target=\"_blank\">Headspace\u003C\u002Fa>, a mental wellbeing app, is offering its Premium service for free. “Healthcare providers are on the front lines of this public health crisis, making sure our communities receive necessary and critical care,” \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.usatoday.com\u002Fstory\u002Ftech\u002F2020\u002F03\u002F21\u002Fhealth-and-wellness-apps-offer-freebies-coping-coronavirus\u002F2892085001\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">said Dr. Megan Jones Bell\u003C\u002Fa>, chief science officer for Headspace. “That’s why it’s crucial for us to find ways to support their mental health and provide them with tools for managing the very real personal toll this crisis takes on them in particular”. For the general public, Headspace launched “\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.headspace.com\u002Fcovid-19\" target=\"_blank\">Weathering The Storm\u003C\u002Fa>” with free meditations, sleep, and movement exercises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fminfulness-meditation-yoga-app-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"COVID-19 Quarantine: Mental wellbeing\" class=\"wp-image-27331\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fminfulness-meditation-yoga-app-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fminfulness-meditation-yoga-app-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fminfulness-meditation-yoga-app-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002Fminfulness-meditation-yoga-app.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mindful.org\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Other companies are also giving away freebies. Balance, a personalized meditation app, is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Fbalanceapp\u002Fstatus\u002F1239253806824722433\" target=\"_blank\">offering a free one-year subscription\u003C\u002Fa> to everyone. The digital behavioral healthcare solution Sanvello \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sanvello.com\u002Fcoronavirus-anxiety-support\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">opened up its Premium offer\u003C\u002Fa> to help reduce stress and anxiety. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Since \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ahajournals.org\u002Fdoi\u002Fpdf\u002F10.1161\u002FHYP.0b013e318293645f\" target=\"_blank\">studies show\u003C\u002Fa> that taking some time to relax can lower both blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk, why not try it out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Primary care from your home\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Stuck at home and don’t want to risk going to the hospital? How about bringing the hospital to you? That’s the promise of telemedicine and it saw an unprecedented demand with COVID-19.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Up until a few months ago, the concept was adopted by some countries like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-in-rwanda\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Rwanda\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fa-promising-hub-for-digital-health-kazakhstan\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Kazakhstan\u003C\u002Fa>, and there are other \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fremarkable-examples-of-telemedicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">notable examples\u003C\u002Fa> in remote regions. With the need to assess people while keeping the medical personnel and patients safe in the pandemic, remote consultation solutions \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fqz.com\u002F1821549\u002Ftelemedicine-faces-unprecedented-demand-in-the-wake-of-coronavirus\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">picked up steam\u003C\u002Fa>. PlushCare’s telemedicine appointments went up by 70%. Amwell, another service, had its app use increase by a whopping 158% in the U. S. since the country was affected by the virus in January.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F054-telemedicine-1-768x432.png\" alt=\"COVID-19 Quarantine: telemedicine\" class=\"wp-image-22474\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F054-telemedicine-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F054-telemedicine-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F054-telemedicine-1-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F054-telemedicine-1.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There’s a plethora of such apps out there but Healthline made a handy \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthline.com\u002Fhealth\u002Fbest-telemedicine-iphone-android-apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">curated best-of list\u003C\u002Fa>. Some like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lemonaidhealth.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Lemonaid\u003C\u002Fa> offer both remote consultations and medicine delivery so that you don’t have to go out to fetch your medication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you’re concerned about COVID-19 symptoms, you can try this online \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fc19check.com\u002Fstart\" target=\"_blank\">Coronavirus Checker\u003C\u002Fa> from Emory University’s School of Medicine. After a few screening questions, the tool will provide a summary of your risks, as well as recommendations from the CDC.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>To track…\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Going beyond apps, physical phones are themselves helping to fight COVID-19. Some governments resorted to unconventional means to track down potentially infected people: surveillance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fcoronavirus-south-koreas-success-in-controlling-disease-is-due-to-its-acceptance-of-surveillance-134068\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">South Korea\u003C\u002Fa> used CCTV footage, bank transactions and phone usage to track who might potentially be at risk. Using data from these sources, South Korean health authorities can pinpoint who was in close contact with an infected person or a hotspot for the disease and identify who to test. Further West, Israel’s Prime Minister allowed the country’s internal security agency to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F3\u002F17\u002F21183716\u002Fcoronavirus-covid-19-israel-natanyahu-cellphone-data-tracking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">use phone location data\u003C\u002Fa> to fight COVID-19. Those who might have been in contact could be alerted via text to quarantine themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In Singapore, the government set up the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tracetogether.gov.sg\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">TraceTogether app\u003C\u002Fa>. Residents can download and consent to use it so as to facilitate contact tracing. The app records one’s location via Bluetooth and wireless signals and detects other users in proximity. The Ministry of Health will then \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.channelnewsasia.com\u002Fnews\u002Fsingapore\u002Fcovid19-trace-together-mobile-app-contact-tracing-coronavirus-12560616\" target=\"_blank\">contact those who might have been exposed\u003C\u002Fa> to the disease. The app’s record can further build a network of those potentially affected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Help fight the spread of COVID-19 with TraceTogether!\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fbuj8ZTRtJes?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What might sound like a politically-correct Orwellian novel is now turning into reality and this option is being considered by many.  \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.coepi.org\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">CoEpi\u003C\u002Fa>, an open-source project, launched recently to develop an app similar to TraceTogether. Researchers at MIT are working on \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplay.google.com\u002Fstore\u002Fapps\u002Fdetails?id=edu.mit.privatekit\" target=\"_blank\">a similar project\u003C\u002Fa>, allowing users to log their movements and compare with others infected with COVID-19.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">… Or not to track?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, there are concerns about the effectiveness of this method as well. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjournals.plos.org\u002Fplosone\u002Farticle?id=10.1371\u002Fjournal.pone.0219890\" target=\"_blank\">A study published last year\u003C\u002Fa> showed that determining positioning via smartphone is possible with an accuracy between 7 and 13 meters. However, considering that COVID-19 spreads between people \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Fnews-room\u002Fq-a-detail\u002Fq-a-coronaviruses\" target=\"_blank\">within a few feet from each other\u003C\u002Fa>, a more accurate method would be more reliable. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In South Korea, “safety guidance texts” sent by authorities contained private information of people that others could access. This led to the exposure of embarrassing \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fworld\u002F2020\u002Fmar\u002F06\u002Fmore-scary-than-coronavirus-south-koreas-health-alerts-expose-private-lives\" target=\"_blank\">private information and rumor-mongering\u003C\u002Fa>. China employed similar methods, but private data were not totally anonymized and other information might be \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2020\u002F03\u002F01\u002Fbusiness\u002Fchina-coronavirus-surveillance.html\" target=\"_blank\">collected by authorities\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F01\u002FLocation-tracking-768x384.jpg\" alt=\"COVID-19 Quarantine\" class=\"wp-image-25875\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F01\u002FLocation-tracking-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F01\u002FLocation-tracking-1536x767.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F01\u002FLocation-tracking-512x256.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F01\u002FLocation-tracking.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Concerns over privacy and the need for such a method are warranted. It will pose a challenge to get people to tolerate such surveillance or even to reliably report on their infectious status, and might even have a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fcoronavirus-south-koreas-success-in-controlling-disease-is-due-to-its-acceptance-of-surveillance-134068\" target=\"_blank\">cultural factor\u003C\u002Fa> to it. Serious times call for serious measures; these current measures might serve as a test of the public’s trust in authorities. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:center;\">\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fplugins\u002Fpost.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmedicalfuturist%2Fposts%2F2802757973152153&show_text=true&appId=302609456435813&height=631\" width=\"\" height=\"671\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden;display:block;\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" allow=\"encrypted-media\" >\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":188,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>We’ll guide you through finding trusted apps and point out to some useful resources out there that you can use during this pandemic, all accessible via your smartphone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",27337,{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31,32],[193,194,35,37,38,195],759,760,630,[],[],[199,200,201,202,45,203,204,205,206,207,208,209,210,211,212,213,214,215,216,217],2655,3131,3079,3133,3091,1583,3093,1587,3095,1597,3119,1693,3121,1979,3125,2027,3127,2495,3129,[219,14,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,220,221,73,75,76,222],"post-27325","tag-apps","tag-applications","tag-digital-technology",{"id":189,"alt_text":224,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":80,"media_details":225,"post":117,"source_url":242},"digital health apps for quarantine",{"width":82,"height":83,"file":226,"sizes":227,"image_meta":241},"2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-smartphone-apps-small.jpg",{"medium":228,"large":231,"thumbnail":234,"medium_large":237,"1536x1536":238},{"file":229,"width":88,"height":89,"mime-type":90,"source_url":230},"COVID-smartphone-apps-small-370x208.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-smartphone-apps-small-370x208.jpg",{"file":232,"width":94,"height":95,"mime-type":90,"source_url":233},"COVID-smartphone-apps-small-768x432.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-smartphone-apps-small-768x432.jpg",{"file":235,"width":99,"height":99,"mime-type":90,"source_url":236},"COVID-smartphone-apps-small-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-smartphone-apps-small-150x150.jpg",{"file":232,"width":94,"height":95,"mime-type":90,"source_url":233},{"file":239,"width":104,"height":105,"mime-type":90,"source_url":240},"COVID-smartphone-apps-small-1536x864.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-smartphone-apps-small-1536x864.jpg",{"aperture":108,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":108,"copyright":27,"focal_length":108,"iso":108,"shutter_speed":108,"title":27,"orientation":108},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-smartphone-apps-small.jpg",{"cta_type":111,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":244,"related_posts_footer":246,"related_posts":20},[245,114],24757,[247,116],26049,{"yoast_wpseo_title":249,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":250,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":182},"COVID-19 Quarantine: Health Apps to Use During the Quarantine","COVID-19 Quarantine - The top digital apps to use in the quarantine: ✅Interactive dashboards ✅Mental wellbeing apps ✅Telemedicine",{"self":252,"collection":257,"about":259,"author":261,"replies":263,"version-history":266,"predecessor-version":270,"wp:featuredmedia":274,"wp:attachment":277,"wp:term":280,"curies":291},[253],{"href":254,"targetHints":255},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F27325",{"allow":256},[126],[258],{"href":129},[260],{"href":132},[262],{"embeddable":26,"href":135},[264],{"embeddable":26,"href":265},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=27325",[267],{"count":268,"href":269},17,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F27325\u002Frevisions",[271],{"id":272,"href":273},27797,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F27325\u002Frevisions\u002F27797",[275],{"embeddable":26,"href":276},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F27337",[278],{"href":279},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=27325",[281,283,285,287,289],{"taxonomy":155,"embeddable":26,"href":282},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=27325",{"taxonomy":158,"embeddable":26,"href":284},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=27325",{"taxonomy":161,"embeddable":26,"href":286},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=27325",{"taxonomy":164,"embeddable":26,"href":288},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=27325",{"taxonomy":167,"embeddable":26,"href":290},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=27325",[292],{"name":171,"href":172,"templated":26},[294],{"id":114,"date":295,"date_gmt":296,"guid":297,"modified":299,"modified_gmt":300,"slug":301,"status":13,"type":302,"link":303,"title":304,"content":306,"excerpt":308,"author":310,"featured_media":311,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"template":27,"yst_prominent_words":312,"class_list":316,"better_featured_image":319,"acf":340,"yoast_meta":346,"_links":348},"2019-09-06T22:01:25","2019-09-06T20:01:25",{"rendered":298},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_type=book&p=24765","2023-03-12T18:12:53","2023-03-12T17:12:53","the-guide-to-the-future-of-medicine","book","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fbooks\u002Fthe-guide-to-the-future-of-medicine\u002F",{"rendered":305},"Guide to the Future of Medicine: Technology & Human Touch",{"rendered":307,"protected":20},"\n\u003Cp>The Guide to the Future of Medicine provides an eye-opening, reassuring and accessible roadmap to tomorrow’s potential. By preparing for the inevitable waves of change, you can make informed decisions about how technology will shape your personal well-being or your business environment, and stay healthy and afloat amidst the waves of change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":309,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>The Guide to the Future of Medicine provides an eye-opening, reassuring and accessible roadmap to tomorrow’s potential. By preparing for the inevitable waves of change, […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",10,49975,[313,314,315],3607,2707,4027,[317,302,318,66,68,69],"post-24765","type-book",{"id":311,"alt_text":27,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":80,"media_details":320,"post":114,"source_url":339},{"width":321,"height":322,"file":323,"filesize":324,"sizes":325,"image_meta":336},320,414,"2019\u002F09\u002Fguide-to-the-future-of-medicine-1.jpeg",17811,{"medium":326,"thumbnail":331},{"file":327,"width":321,"height":328,"mime-type":90,"filesize":329,"source_url":330},"guide-to-the-future-of-medicine-1-320x208.jpeg",208,12054,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002Fguide-to-the-future-of-medicine-1-320x208.jpeg",{"file":332,"width":333,"height":333,"mime-type":90,"filesize":334,"source_url":335},"guide-to-the-future-of-medicine-1-150x150.jpeg",150,5386,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002Fguide-to-the-future-of-medicine-1-150x150.jpeg",{"aperture":108,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":108,"copyright":27,"focal_length":108,"iso":108,"shutter_speed":108,"title":27,"orientation":337,"keywords":338},"1",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002Fguide-to-the-future-of-medicine-1.jpeg",{"leanpub_url":341,"buy_button_text":342,"preview":343},"https:\u002F\u002Famzn.to\u002F1w0O3sx","Get it on Amazon",[344],{"image":345},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002Fguide-to-the-future-of-medicine.jpeg",{"yoast_wpseo_title":347,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":27,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":303},"Guide to the Future of Medicine: Technology & Human Touch - The Medical Futurist",{"self":349,"collection":354,"about":357,"author":360,"replies":363,"wp:featuredmedia":366,"wp:attachment":369,"wp:term":372,"curies":375},[350],{"href":351,"targetHints":352},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fbook\u002F24765",{"allow":353},[126],[355],{"href":356},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fbook",[358],{"href":359},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fbook",[361],{"embeddable":26,"href":362},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F10",[364],{"embeddable":26,"href":365},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=24765",[367],{"embeddable":26,"href":368},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F49975",[370],{"href":371},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=24765",[373],{"taxonomy":167,"embeddable":26,"href":374},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=24765",[376],{"name":171,"href":172,"templated":26},1789237985545]