Inspiration

When we see the global need for the effectiveness of social isolation and based on our academic background as physicists, we aspire to bring science clearly and simply to all people, regardless of their social, economic and cultural level. Therefore, we believe that at any social level, science should be accessed and requested when requested, in no way should be excluded. That being said, we, the Gaia Team, had the idea of correcting this information deficit, and along with the problems that came from COVID-19, to give the population a scientific comfort and also a way to ensure and contribute to the practices and forms of social isolation of a group, city or country, as well as the preventive measures of individual health.

The Problem

With the increase in human activity since the Industrial Revolution, the burning of coal and later of fossil fuels also increased the emission of gases that amplified the greenhouse effect, causing the hole in the ozone layer to worsen and, especially, the low quality of the air by making some regions polluted. This accumulation of particles and toxic gases in the atmosphere caused some local phenomena, such as the phenomenon of thermal inversion. Not only that, people living in regions with high levels of pollution can have their respiratory systems compromised. Since the coronavirus pandemic and the establishment of isolation policies, it has been noted that many countries have decreased their rates of air pollution. This proves that the presence of human activity compromises the quality of the air on the planet, being the case of much concern as would be the configuration of the atmosphere when they return to full activities. Another factor are the recent studies that relate the increase in the number of deaths by COVID-19 to local pollution levels.

Solution

With the digital tool, a large part of the population would have access to this type of technology through tables, graphs and infographics from each continent, country, state and city. By correlating these data so that their access is easy and simple, a quick and effective analysis would be provided. We analyzed the variables, such as CH4, CO2, NO2, CO, total of infected cases and total of deaths by COVID-19, considering the assumption that the virus can proliferate in a more concentrated and faster way in regions where there is a greater agglomeration of some gases, it can also be smoothed for the same reason.

Image 1: Number of cases reported worldwide

For analysis purposes, we have adopted a reference, Italy, since it is in the northern hemisphere and is considered a developed country, therefore the rate of urbanization and the level of industrialization is high. In this case, we can position all our benchmarks of measures. As it was observed through statistical data obtained from NOAA, we can conclude that the emission of carbon dioxide and other compounds has decreased and  there may be a relation between the decrease in the number of infected and the decrease in pollution.

Image 2: Drop in the level of carbon in Italy

Thus, in theory, it can be concluded that there is proportionality between the levels of non-breathable gases and the levels of infected and dead, since in Italy, of those infected, more than 14% died. As these figures are alarming, we can conclude that countries with high levels of pollution have had significantly higher numbers than Italy.

In addition, other gases that are very present in the atmosphere can be noted, such as methane, sulphur hexafluoride and nitrous oxide, the latest being a gas that is extremely harmful to health and contributes 300 times to the greenhouse effect.

Image 3: Sulfur Hexafluoride Level

Through the daily analysis of the gases and their concentrations in the atmosphere, making a relation with the total of deaths and infected, if all the variables had an increase or decrease in a proportional way, this would validate our response. Based on the assumption that the virus proliferates more in polluted air, and based on some recent studies, the correlation between air quality and the rate of infection appears as follows: countries with the highest number of pollutants in the air also have a higher death rate.

Image 4: Flowchart of data relationship logic

In conclusion, our application aims to indicate, using user data, such as country, state and city, what the local situation would be like, for example, if the air conditions related to COVID-19 would be breathable and healthy, and would indicate the possible actions for people, such as mandatory use of masks and about circulation in the environment. In addition, of course, it would provide simplified and understandable data.

Summing up:

Futures Aspirations

We aim to make the application's extension global and accessible to citizens, institutions, government and academics. We hope that this data can help in accounting for infected people and show the number of pollutant gas concentrations and thus propose more surgical measures and create environmental awareness. We really want to make everything simple, clear and accessible, so that anyone, regardless of their level of education, can interpret the data and take their actions, be they individual or collective.

Validation

A field survey was conducted with potential users to get feedback on the application and its relevance.

143 people participated.

1. Did you find the idea relevant?

2. Would you use this application?

3.Would you recommend this application ?

4. Would you have any suggestions?

It may be a good one, to allow users to report that they are having the symptoms, but they have not performed tests for COVID to somehow try to provide a better estimate of underreporting.

None, I found a very informative application.

Excellent application, nothing to add.

It is being well forwarded. Perfectly, at the moment no suggestion.

As evidenced by the answers presented, we can conclude that the users were satisfied with the prototype and the information it provides.