Reducing social isolation and loneliness
I had the pleasure of chairing the fourth in The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) series on Healthy Living and Housing. The focus for this session was on reducing social isolation and loneliness. You can access the session by clicking the link here and registering to watch on demand. Speakers for this session included Smriti Kotiyal, Research Assistant, University of Bradford
Marianne Wanstall, CEO, The Brendoncare Foundation
Heather Claridge, Principal Design Officer, Architecture & Design Scotland
COVID-19 and the role of technology
Smriti began by discussing the significant role that technology, including communication technologies, has played in managing COVID-19. COVID-19 is often compared to the 1918 Spanish Flu and 2009 H1N1 outbreak. Today we have improved capacity, diagnostic tools and communications. For example, current global internet usage sits at 53.6% compared to 25.8% in 2009. This has very much facilitated improved knowledge sharing and better use of technological advancements. The use of technology to reduce the spread of COVID-19 has not been without controversy. China is one...