Coronavirus pandemic: compassionate communities and information technology

The COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated new thinking, including suppression of individual freedom for the good of all. Terms like ‘social distancing’ have quickly entered the mainstream. Fast-tracked research highlights the risk of contracting COVID-19, correlating it to the number of people with whom an individual has close contact, duration of said contact and personal hygiene measures. In a matter of weeks, we have learnt much about this virus but are still on an uncertain path which will inform future interventions. Individual risk of infection will relate to the efficiency of government public health activities to slow the spread, but also public willingness to curtail individual autonomy and freedom. Health and social care services are likely to be overwhelmed. There is a need for public and community coordination to help those in greatest need (particularly in the home), the seriously ill and the dying. We examine the challenges and potential solutions to the crisis, including how caring networks may help and how modern technology may promote safer care.