Researchers, companies and innovators around the world are doing their bit to try to lessen the effects of this global health, economic and social crisis thanks to technology.

They range from applications to collect data on the spread of the virus, to 3D printed ventilators for hospitals, these are some of the numerous technological projects that have emerged to combat the coronavirus.

Here we show you a series of 5 very useful applications that face the pandemic, adapting to what we normally do in our daily lives:

1. Machine learning to find a therapy

With enough quality data, artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for making predictions about the course of COVID-19 disease or even looking for possible treatment. The biotech company AbCellera is using a machine learning model to develop antibody-based therapies for patients who have recovered from the disease.

2. Telemedicine to avoid collapse in hospitals

Distance medicine is one of the options that society is considering to try to alleviate the large influx of people to hospitals. Thanks to telemedicine, diagnosis and treatment can be converted into quick and simple processes in which the patient only has to open an application, detail their symptoms and wait for a doctor to attend them through a virtual consultation.

3. 3D printing supplies

The health system faces a shortage of supplies. To combat this problem, different groups of 'makers' around the world have enabled platforms and communication channels in networks such as Telegram where they share information about open source design and the manufacture of fans, masks and other vital parts with 3D printers. These designs are so that anyone who has these printers can collaborate by printing the necessary parts to replicate these automatic respirators, the objective is to make them available to health services.

4. A 'chatbot' to answer questions

The WHO (World Health Organization) has launched the WHO 'chatbot' in order to provide information about the new coronavirus and provide users with answers to common questions related to the disease, such as what are the current infection rates or how they can protect themselves. The 'bot' works simply: it does not respond to natural language. Therefore, users should send him numbers or 'emojis' to get more information on the different topics (for example, if they want to know the latest figures about the virus they should dial 1, or if they need travel advice they should dial 5).

5. Video calls to maintain ties with the outside

Video calling applications have become a tool
essential to face confinement without losing contact with the outside. Especially for those who face it individually. Some of the most used are Skype, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts and Duo, Webex or Zoom, which, according to the New York Times, received around 600,000 downloads in a single day at the start of the epidemic. Video calling functionality through Facebook Messenger has also increased its activity by 70% since the start of the epidemic, according to the company.