The global pandemic of COVID-19 has taken a toll on mankind big time, and there seems to be no end to this menace. It has taken around 164,000 lives in its grasp and has infected over 2 million people. Such a situation has made almost everyone in the world rethink how governments manage to work negligible or zero physical contact. While most of us are indoors, there are people who cannot afford to do it.
In such a crucial period there are many people who are in the frontline of the battle against the virus. This includes the doctors, health workers, private security guards, the local police staff, and the waste collectors. Technology is playing a key role. Everything from Artificial Intelligence, GIS and Mapping, Big Data, and Location Technology is aiding in the battle. Aside from that, drones, too, have a crucial role in preventing the COVID-19 outbreak. How? Find out.
Surveillance
The main task that authorities around the world have at hand is breaking the chain somehow and preventing the virus from spreading. Reducing people-to-people contact is one of the most significant measures and the need of the hour. Most of the countries have decided to close down public places that do not fall in the essential category, ban any kind of mass gathering, and of course, ensuring that proper social distancing is maintained. However, people in some areas are, unknowingly or knowingly, not paying any heed to the restrictions.
It becomes tougher for the local police and the municipal authorities to keep a check on their activities. This is where drones have proved to be handy. They help the authorities and the police to track people’s movements. These drones help the officials to break any social gathering that could be threatening for society. Without getting engaged physically, the police can monitor a vast stretch of land and the inhabitants there. However, drone surveillance can be held responsible for breaching privacy.
Broadcast
Besides street surveillance, authorities are using drones to broadcast messages and detailed information regarding lockdown measures. They are focusing on rural areas with a minimum connection with communication channels that are oblivious to health information.
Loudspeakers have been attached to the drones so that public announcements to make people aware of the necessity to stay indoors, avoid social contact, and take requisite precautions. Several countries in Europe are taking such a step and using drones to communicate with the general public.
Spraying of Disinfectants
A few countries are using agriculture spray drones to spray disinfectants on public places, especially the potentially affected regions, thus preventing the outbreak of coronavirus. These spraying drones have disinfectants in them. The advantage of this is these drones can cover more ground in minimum time and act 50 times faster than any other method traditionally used. According to the experts, a spraying drone can carry almost 16 liters of disinfectants.
Additionally, they can also cover a total area of 100,000 square meters within an hour. The best part is that these drones are quite easy to operate. The quick mobilization is reducing the risk of the frontline workers catching the infection. Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Chile, Colombia, the United Arab Emirates, and several other countries have been using drones to disinfect and bring coronavirus under control.
Delivery of Medicine and Grocery
This is a time when hospitals and doctors need to conduct laboratory testing and supply medicines. What safer and faster way is there than to accomplish these tasks using drones? Wuhan in China is the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore, drones are in use to accelerate the delivery of medical supplies.
The drone technology helps the medical staff to stay safe from any exposure to the virus and strive for betterment in their efforts to fight COVID-19. Countries like the United States and Australia are also using drones to deliver groceries at every doorstep, especially those in red zones.
The world has come together to emerge triumphant in this critical time. Strategic use of drone technology is helping authorities curb the pandemic in more than just one way. Hopefully, times will change soon, and the pandemic will come to an end. And with numerous vaccines in the testing stage, we can hope that there’s some good news in the pipeline.