The oldest cliché about mobile apps is that, whatever one needs to do in the digital world, “there’s an app for that”. But when the world entered the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was more a case of “we can adapt our app for that”.
Every app that was geared towards personal safety, time and resource management, self-improvement, movement or e-commerce almost overnight became an app to help cope with lockdown and restricted movement.
Joining these, a new generation of apps has emerged to help track the spread of the pandemic, and help people make better decisions based on infection rates in their areas, or on the likely impact of the spread on movement. They are not only mobile apps: web apps or browser-based tools have quickly been roped in to help the world.
Initially, most of the developers of these apps and tools were what one might call garage developers – meaning they were one-person efforts to solve an immediate problem. But the output has escalated for the point where even the United Nations has got involved.
One of the most recent efforts is a COVID-19 Self-Diagnostic Application & Predictive Modelling Dashboard, to help South Africans self-assess their COVID-19 symptoms, and aid government efforts to pinpoint virus hotspots. It is a team effort, involving the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the Global Surgery Foundation, the Rali and Makentse Mampeule Foundation, the University of Cape Town Division of Global Surgery; and Slalom, a global technology company.
By assisting authorities in identifying communities with a high prevalence of COVID-19 symptoms, the dashboard facilitates stargeted testing and treatment. Aside from this allowing testing and treatment resources to be allocated more effectively, it also assists in predicting new in-country spread and identifying “safe zones”.
The app is described as a “voluntary self-diagnostic tool collects data that is fully anonymous”, with low data demands and will be available in local languages across Africa.
Apps can be used not only to assist governments, but also to influence them. Grassroot, an app that was built to allow people without data to participate in large scale civil society campaigns, was roped into a campaign by the Children’s Institute and Amandla.com to increase the social grant during the COVID-19 lockdown. As a result, in five days in April, 530,000 people signed the petition. On 14 April, the signature records were sent to the Presidency and National Treasury. A few days later, an increase in the social grant was approved.
Sean Bacher provided the following round-up of COVID-19 apps for a variety of needs. Most are available from regular app stores:
InstaEats shifts focus to charities
Before COVID-19, InstaEats positioned itself as a food guide, focused entirely on restaurants, and had built an advertising platform. But now it has shifted its business to include any type of food being produced and delivered during lockdown. It has created a directory for these businesses at www.instaeats.co.za/covid19 to feature and advertise their services and offerings, and extended the service to restaurants are offering takeaways. Most significantly, though, due to job losses in the hospitality industry, it has used its audience and platforms to create awareness of relevant charities.
M4Jam helps spaza shops feed the community
M4Jam used informal spaza shops to facilitate distribution of food parcels to those in need during the lockdown period. M4Jam has announced that any registered jobbers – those who have signed onto the platform to find temporary micro-jobs in return for cash and airtime products – can be signed up to receive hampers of essential items. Having direct access to spaza shops throughout South Africa, M4Jam engages with the spaza owners via their app and uses them as assembly and distribution points. Not only does this aid in feeding the people in need, but the spaza owners, who facilitate this from end to end, can make money and continue business operations in the communities.
COVID19 4Health
4Sight AccTech has launched COVID19 4Health, a cloud-based app to enable organisations of all sizes to monitor employees, contractors and visitors in relation to COVID-19, both at their work premises and remote workplaces, in order to help them comply with government regulations. The app is fully automated and provides a comprehensive screening and attendance system that can be implemented within 24 hours. It allows for capturing health information from all visitors and remote workers, with a full reporting system.
Cartoon Network GameBox
To keep children entertained at home, Cartoon Network has introduced GameBox – a virtual toy box that includes a variety of web games. From Ben 10 to The Amazing World of Gumball, Apple and Onion and Teen Titans Go!, the catalogue of games available to play ranges from action and adventure to puzzles and racing. Games are interspersed with animation and tappable on-screen ‘toys’, encouraging kids to explore the rich environment within the app. In addition to many fan-favourite Cartoon Network games, new games are added regularly.
Read about more apps and digital campaigns that help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spar brings maths skills to learners
Spar partnered with maths skills development company Numberwise to help thousands of young learners across the country advance their maths skills from home during the lockdown. The Numberwise Math learning app – already used by well over 60,000 pupils – is tailored to help children ramp up their core maths knowledge in order to progress to more complex mathematics. They can learn the basics at their own pace, in a fun and engaging way. Free registration is available using the code: SPAR185-365.
KardioMD Telehealth
BrandMed, Cipla and Momentum Health Solutions have partnered to launch KardioMD Telehealth. The solution allows patients to consult with a healthcare professional without leaving their homes. The KardioMD Telehealth stand-alone health solution is more than just a telemedicine platform – it’s described as part of a bigger picture that empowers patients in the management of their health. The locally developed app offers patients a range of services, including home-monitoring for chronic illness like hypertension, diabetes, asthma and emphysema, a link to an emergency care call centre, access to a holistic lifestyle programme, and an activity tracker. KardioMD Telehealth can also connect users to a broad range of healthcare professionals
HearMe Wellness app
The HearMe app puts its members in touch with trained volunteers through text messaging, who “listen” and reply in real-time – no bots or automated responses. Volunteers offer advice on how to keep busy, and to overcome the effects of loneliness and the frustrations of not being allowed to get out of the house to meet up with friends and family. Members are able to chat about anything on their minds, not just the aspects of the lockdown and social distancing. For instance, some members chat about how to cope as a single parent with a child who does not understand why he or she cannot go outside and play with friends.
COVID-19 support from Namola
Namola has added free COVID-19 support tools for all South Africans to provide easy access to accurate and reliable information and support tools during the pandemic All Namola users will have free access to public emergency services such as police, fire & rescue, and government ambulances, around the clock during the national lockdown. South Africans can also use the app to access services like the Domestic Abuse hotline, Childline and mental health hotlines. Namola’s Response Centre team remains available 24/7 to deal with any emergencies. The app also provides the latest case statistics, access to important helplines and latest news, as well as COVID-19 alerts.
#ONELOVESA
#ONELOVESA emerged as an urgent response to help match care with need across South Africa. It has partnered with Operation Hunger on its Feed-A-Family campaign to help distribute food and essential items to vulnerable families now cut off from resources and income.
For the Nurses donation campaign
1st for Women Insurance has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support nurses on the frontline of COVID-19, partnering with Gift of the Givers and Vula Mobile.
1st for Women launched the “For the Nurses” campaign on BackaBuddy and kick-started the fundraising effort with a R500,000 donation. The fundraising target is R1-million.
Read about more apps and digital campaigns that help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.