Theres no consensus on technologys role in the COVID-19 response

As of Friday, I’ll have been self-isolating at home for 30 days. Thanks to quick action on the part of city officials to lock the city down, San Francisco is seeing great success in containing the spread of COVID-19. Within weeks, talk will turn to how we go about re-opening cities to public life — and what role, if any, technology companies should play in the response.

Today — and also tomorrow; this column ends on a cliffhanger! — let’s talk about some of the proposals for using tech to reopen cities.

First, you’re probably wondering when your city will reopen, and how. This talk is a bit premature, particularly outside of California and Washington. But if you’re wondering how public health officials will make that decision, start with...

Continue reading…