Define “Normal“?
Before Covid-19 pandemic, “Normal” was defined as a world where people didn’t have any kind of fear to roam freely around. One could interact in a normal way in any group. Our Society was free from the term “Social Distancing“, and any individual could participate in any physical group activities.
But Alas, we all know that it is no longer the definition for “NORMAL“. Today wearing a mask in public is the “New Normal”.
Although there is no returning to what we knew as Normal .But there is always a path forward.
The crisis we face with this pandemic must teach us, How to avoid making the same mistakes again? This is because, in an increasingly globalized world, sadly this is not the first and will not be the last pandemic. In recent years, the world has witnessed the rise of SARS, Ebola, and now COVID-19. Epidemics are a rising threat.
Soon, as the world will start recovering, our government will loosen the economic and social paralysis and people will start moving once again.
At that time we need to be prepared more than ever, to ensure safety.
IoT Technology
Internet of Things (IoT), in particular, and along with other technologies like Cloud and AI, is of great use during the crisis.
IoT can play a very timely role in getting the public back on the streets ensuring safety. The connection between the physical and the digital world is more necessary now than ever, and that is exactly what is delivered by IoT.
IoT applications could be vital in the return to what everyone now calls the “new normal”
- IoT thermometers can be used by hospitals to screen patients and staff. Body temperature sensors can provide continuous, real-time monitoring of any changes in body temperature.
- Wearable Measurement Tools can be used by patients to monitor their health parameters and these can then be shared remotely with healthcare providers. This pandemic has shown that remote medical attention for primary care is possible, and the potential exists for healthcare providers to extend this capability and improve the efficiency of the system for all patients.
This will help avoid overcrowding and prevent people from wandering into health spaces unnecessarily.
- Thermal Screening: By integrating infrared sensors to detect body temperature levels at the access points to public areas, it would be possible to alleviate confinement and re-open borders. In the event of another outbreak, airports and transport stations could quickly and efficiently limit the free movement of people with a potential threat.
- IoT sensors can enable shops to monitor, in real-time, the movements of their customers in their premises to ensure that their establishment does not gets overcrowded at someplace at any instant of time. This will ensure norms of “Social Distancing” and provide customers with the security and reassurance that they will not be at any risk.
- A similar approach can be implemented in traffic management, by monitoring the presence of cellular devices in an area and take necessary actions to avoid overcrowding.
Conclusion
We are moving towards a different reality and we must provide our businesses, cities, and citizens with the technology that can allow them to continue with their lives. IoT can provide solutions for businesses, the authorities and the public to do so in a way that reduces risk immediately and delivers a way of life that we can all recognize as being very close to “Normal”.
