Every resource is being cultivated and every brain is being used in our battle against this novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The latest creation in an effort to help during this global crisis is the chat bot developed by the University of the Philippines COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team, Yani.

Yani is a chat bot that got its name from the word “baYANIhan”. It is fluent in both English and Filipino, and provides users with a multitude of information about the Philippine government policies regarding health, education, transportation, and economic support.

It even has a feature that can point users to the nearest hospital. It also provides links to psychologists and psychosocial support specialists for those who need it in these crazy times.

The EndCov dashboard provides COVID-19 updates in the Philippines with detailed statistical data surrounding the virus.

ENDCov dashboard features:

• Total number of cases the country
• Statistical demographics
• Reported cases by city, age group, and sex
• A list of hospitals, its address and contact number
• Iskonsult, an online symptoms checker
• A psych survey and telepsychotherapy
• A link for donations
• Government policies and advisories surrounding the covid-19 pandemic

Yani is available through its official Facebook page and the ENDCov dashboard.

“There’s no better time for me to be Miss England and helping England at a time of need,” Miss England 2019 said. 

Bhasha Mukherjee, was a junior doctor specializing in respiratory medicine before she joined Miss World 2019. Hence, when the need arises and England needs her most, she is putting her crown on the shelf (temporarily) to help fight the pandemic COVID-19. 

Though she has planned to put her medical career on hold after bringing home her Miss England sash to travel for humanitarian efforts, she is now just as focused on the coronavirus battle. 

While Mukherjee was on one of her travels, she has been constantly receiving messages from former colleagues about the worsening cases hence, her need to pick up where she left off. 

“I wanted to come back home. I wanted to come and go straight to work,” she said. 

Mukherjee returned to England on April 6, but needs to self-isolate for two weeks. Though she knows that all hands will be on deck once she’s cleared from quarantine. 

May we all take it from Mukherjee, to always help. If we can’t think of ways to help, just pray. Pray for the people who can help so they’d be given proper guidance to discern. 

Tech giants have been donating left and right to aid in the fight against the global pandemic. In cash and in kind, these generosities are greatly appreciated. It solidifies our faith in humanity and that when it comes down to a crisis, helping each other is the top priority.

With this, it seems like Apple has also shared its generosity by donating 20 million masks and producing face shields to give to the medical personnel who are the frontliners in battling the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“This is a truly global effort, and we’re working continuously and closely with governments at all levels to ensure these are donated to places of greatest need,”

-Tim Cook, Apple CEO

About one million of their designed face shields for health workers are to be shipped by the end of this week, and over one million per week after that. The shields and masks are to be delievered to places where they’re needed most and urgently.

Cook further stated that the first shipment was delivered to Kaiser hospital facilities in the Santa Clara Valley. It was well received and had “very positive” feedback from the doctors there. With their plans to distribute these face shields outside the US and then all over the world Apple is doing its best to hasten the process.

Efforts like this, goes a long way with our war against COVID-19 and we can only hope that we all stay strong amid this global crisis.

COVID-19 Cebu

As the threat of the Coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19 rises every day, the Cebu province has taken a proactive approach and is pulling all stops in protecting the island. Here’s everything you need to know about COVID-19 and its symptoms: https://sugbo.ph/2020/corona-virus-in-cebu/

With this, an Executive Order was issued for the implementation of the drastic but necessary measures to avoid the spread of the virus. For more information, head on to: https://sugbo.ph/2020/cebu-implements-drastic-measures/

If you are sick and think you have symptoms of COVID-19, seek medical attention, call the local Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice: 0922-397-2334 / 0943-568-3298 / (032) 402-3091 / (032) 402-1269.