rAInbow chatline
The COVID-19 lockdown is leaving thousands of vulnerable
women and children stuck at home with abusive partners and caregivers. In an
attempt to help those who are being abused, rAInbow has launched a chatbot that
uses artificial intelligence (AI) to chat with users and provide accurate
information on domestic violence. Whether someone is worried about what’s
happening in their own life, or looking for information for someone else,
rAInbow can help one understand the signs of abuse and how to get help.
CoronaFighter
The CoronaFighter service is designed to provide informative
and factual news and self-diagnostic tools for COVID-19 in South Africa. It
includes reliable statistics, resources and validated research that is crucial
in catching cases early, and helps to communicate efficiently with medical
staff. By providing one with the tools and information needed for self-monitoring,
CoronaFighter reduces pressure on testing points and protects its users from
the risk of infection presented by the testing centres themselves.
Vimbo Health
To help people take care of their mental health during
lockdown, Vimbo Health has released free
audio meditations and a free wellness plan with simple recommendations for
managing anxiety and isolation. Meditation
reduces stress by taking focus away from worries and back to the present, and
is recommended by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of
the ways to cope with anxiety caused by the outbreak.
YouCam MakeUp
Perfect Corporation, an AI beauty tech solutions provider,
is helping global beauty communities remain digitally connected despite the
limitations posed by COVID-19 social distancing, through interactive
experiences offered by the virtual beauty app YouCam Makeup. The app supports
human interaction through digital experiences, including 1-on-1 on-demand
beauty consultations and livestream beauty shows. The YouCam Makeup app works
within a social network called the YouCam Community. Here users can share their
beauty inspirations with fellow app users.
CoronaVirus.Datafree website
The South African National Health Department has opened a
site that allows citizens to keep up to date with the latest on COVID-19
without the need for any data or airtime. Users simply need to type in
coronavirus.datafree.co into their address bar, or click on the link.
Contact NDoH service
Similar to the CoronaVirus.Datafree website is the Contact
NDoH WhatsApp service – also set up by
the South African National Health Department. However, this service works
through WhatsApp. Users need to save the number 0600 123 456 to their contacts
(they can name the contact whatever they want.) They then need to message Hi to
that contact. A menu will be presented to them with keywords like Cases, News,
Myths, Prevention and Symptoms. Once a keyword is typed in, a new menu follows,
allowing users to find out exactly what they need.
Forgood volunteering platform
Online social platform forgood.co.za, which connects people
for good causes around the country, is encouraging South Africans to make a
difference through virtual volunteering. From designing a home workout routine
for kids, to helping a substance abuse prevention programme with financial
management, virtual volunteering is a way for South Africans to create impact,
without leaving their homes. Forgood has launched a dedicated #Coronavirus
campaign, which aims to highlight all the relevant needs that are posted daily
by the 400 plus non-profit organisations signed up on the platform.
- Arthur Goldstuck is founder of World Wide Worx and editor-in-chief of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram on @art2gee
Read about more apps designed or adapted to address the COVID-19 pandemic in Sean Bacher’s collection of COVID-19 AppDate specials.
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