COVID-19 Survivor Creates Social Distancing App That Warns If Anyone Comes Too Close

In a bid to control the spread of Coronavirus, several firms and government health agencies have come up with their own apps that impart information on COVID-19. None of such makers though, have experienced the disease first hand. A new app social distancing app seems to be different in this aspect as it has been made by a Coronavirus survivor!

Renato Cardoso, a Brazilian expat living in Amsterdam, caught the COVID-19 Coronavirus early March and he was quarantined in his apartment for two weeks. Having recovered from the disease, Cardoso could not forget the horror he went through and wished to make sure no one else had to undergo the same.

Renato Cardoso (Image: 1.5 App)

So as a solution, Cardoso came up with a social distancing app named "1.5". Working as a developer at a tech company called LTO Network, Cardoso joined his team once back from quarantine and together, they came up with the app.

The idea was offered by a copywriter at the advertising agency TBWANEBOKO which the tech company was working with at the time. The idea followed on the part, ¡°Social distancing saves lives. And this app educates people about what that appropriate distance is."

The Social Distancing App

Deeming it fit for the idea, the app was immediately pursued by the team. The social distancing app works using Bluetooth. When a person carrying a mobile device encroaches your parameter (of around 1.5 metres), your phone starts vibrating to let you know of the same.

In addition, the app also displays a graphic that can be shown to the other person, aimed at defusing the situation through a polite call to keep distance. ¡°Telling someone to go away is pretty awkward. This is a friendly reminder. For yourself and the other person. Because you really don¡¯t want to get or spread corona. Believe me. I know.¡± Renato and his team have been working round the clock to finish the app. Once they do, the app will be a good tool in the fight against Coronavirus spread, as it will have the experience of its maker who has faced the virus firsthand.

Another COVID-19 app is in pursuit by the World Health Organisation in collaboration with experts from various industries. The app will provide information straight from the global health agency and will help inform people of the guidelines to be followed during the pandemic. You can read all about the app here.