“I was in my hostel in Kozhikode when I received an email that asked all students to go home. Kerala was then the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. Throughout the beginning of March, I was actively looking at International and national news on the virus spread. That’s when I came across Coronathon – a hackathon where many professionals and amateurs were working together to create awareness about the pandemic. I was a part of an ideas group where we decided to put together all the data and details regarding helplines and hospitals treating Covid-19 patients from different State and Central Ministries on one platform. It was initially just four of us who worked on the idea. But soon, people from different walks of life volunteered. Some were investment bankers others students, one of them even a grade 12 student. What started as an Excel sheet is now a full fledged website, on its way to become an app. We have been working on this project since Mid March.
Initially, we just wanted to put out data. But a ton of ideas came up and gradually, we increased the kind of information we provided. There’s a chat option so people can view it on WhatsApp or telegram. There’s a comment option where any feedback can be posted, which will help us inform our task force team and get the right information updated. With every data, we’ve added source for authenticity. From mental health to senior citizen helplines, we have it all! The aim was to provide accurate information about the pandemic during these volatile times. To avoid clash and overburdening of hospitals with calls, we also set up a book your slot mechanism. The website was launched on March 22 and we’ve been adding data to it to keep it updated.
We also got in touch with the Delhi and Karnataka State Governments, who appreciated the efforts.
We’re a bigger team now but most of them are working professionals who also have a day job. Instead of spending our time on Netflix, we’re working for this cause, to create awareness, so we can all fight this together. Some of them even work till 6 in the morning. It’s a team effort that we’re absolutely proud of. We are a non-funded team with just the zeal to work and make a difference. We need help in sectors including marketing because we don’t have the budget. Any help from any professional is welcome and highly appreciated.”
Find their website: http://Covidfyi.in
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