Terminology » Security » Mass Data Surveillance for COVID-19 Pandemic Control

Mass Data Surveillance for COVID-19 Pandemic Control

data surveillance covid-19 public health pandemic control thermal camera

This page describes the Mass Data Surveillance System used to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in China. The benefits and drawbacks of the system are also outlined.

Introduction

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before its outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illness in humans or animals. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, fatigue, and dry cough. Some patients may also experience aches and pains, a runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, diarrhea, etc.

The following are the usual methods to be followed at individual and community levels to stop its spread via local and community transmission:

  • Wash hands at regular intervals.
  • Avoid sneezing in public.
  • Don’t touch your face, eyes, and nose without washing your hands.
  • Maintain a distance of at least 6ft (1.8 m) with other people (social distancing).
  • If you feel sick, stay home.

Social distancing

Image courtesy: The Johns Hopkins University

As mentioned, social distancing aims to reduce the frequency of contact by increasing the physical distance between people. In social distancing, one must keep oneself at least 6 feet away from other people in your household or in the community.

Social distancing methods to control the spread of contagious diseases such as COVID-19, Flu, and Influenza include all of the following techniques:

  • Self-isolation
  • Self-quarantine
  • School closure
  • Workplace closure
  • Cordon sanitaire
  • Cancellation of mass gatherings at events, pubs, discos, theaters, clubs, religious places, musical concerts, etc.

A data surveillance system is essential to keep track of people and whether they are following social distancing guidelines. It is used by authorities to monitor the movement of people, to enforce lockdowns, and to separate people based on their health status.

What is a Data Surveillance System?

A data surveillance system consists of various elements such as CCTV cameras, thermal cameras, robots, drones, GPS/GNSS-based geofencing technology, AI-based facial recognition systems, text message transmission through cellular wireless systems, and so on.

Data Surveillance System

Image courtesy: BBC News on youtube.com

The images depict the elements of the system such as robots to deliver food in hospitals, facial recognition cameras to take body temperatures, and drones to enforce lockdowns and quarantine.

Methods of mass surveillance

Image courtesy: BBC News on youtube.com

The image depicts a thermal camera from Dahua Technology. It is used to measure body temperatures of mass movements of people at airports, railway stations, hospitals, colleges, schools, and workplaces.

Thermal camera to measure body temperature

Image alt: Thermal camera to measure body temperature

Thermal imaging technology-based products can easily be deployed to transportation hubs, complexes, banks, and other places across the area to monitor body temperatures of the people.

The data surveillance system is used to track citizens online and offline. The system has recently become very effective in China to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic. It is also used in other countries such as Singapore, Iran, Israel, Taiwan, and Russia.

Let us understand how the data surveillance system works. In order to have this system effective, all the citizens need to have a unique “national ID”. Moreover, to buy a mobile phone or to use any mobile app one needs to provide a “national ID”. This data collection helps while enforcing lockdowns or curfews. The system is a combination of human and automated computer analysis elements.

Health codes

Image alt: Health codes or QR codes

When an infected person travels on a train, alert text messages are being sent out to his/her closest commuters through major apps. Moreover, authorities issue health cards with QR codes. All the individuals are divided into one of the three categories viz. no risk, been to potential hotspots, and positive/contagious. These health cards are used by enforcement authorities during the movement of people at various checkpoints. During a pandemic situation, citizens are requested to carry both national IDs as well as Health codes.

Benefits or Advantages of Data Surveillance System

Following are the benefits or advantages of Data Surveillance System:

  • Drones and geofencing help in enforcing self-isolation and self-quarantine among people.
  • Robots help in delivering essential items such as food and water to infected people.
  • Surveillance cameras equipped with face recognition AI systems allow authorities to track the movement of infected people and also to enforce lockdowns in affected areas.
  • Thermal cameras and thermal imaging systems help in measuring the body temperature of people moving in and around offices, airports, and other public places.
  • The system can be installed quickly and it can be managed easily.

Drawbacks or Disadvantages of Data Surveillance System

Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Data Surveillance System:

  • Privacy is the major concern while implementing such a system.
  • It requires more time to make the system fully functional.
  • The cost is also a major concern for authorities to install all the elements of the data acquisition system.

Google and Apple have developed Contact Tracing Technology to reduce the Spread of COVID-19.

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