Reading suggestions to better understand COVID-19

This post is part of a collaborative effort between Startup Portugal, The Next Big Idea, and Sapo24, meant to create relevant content to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Content available in Portuguese.

Since the pandemic was announced, we have been bombarded with news, articles, opinions, and even with audio messages on WhatsApp. We often end up feeling overwhelmed with so much information. Still, there are articles, videos and platforms that we think can be a good reading suggestion. That is why Startup Portugal wants to share a selection of articles that we think are relevant, either specifically for startups or for anyone who wants to better understand everything that is surrounding us.

How startups are supporting efforts in Europe to fight coronavirus

Here is something we can be proud of: entrepreneurs all over the world did not hesitate to get ahead with their solutions and try to overcome the effects of COVID-19. They have presented several solutions, from providing tools for remote consultations to the production of medical material on 3D printers. In this article, we can see a list of everything that is being done, specifically, in Europe.

Startup Blink’s Coronavirus Innovation Map

It is not only in Europe that people are joining efforts. A good way to see the scale in which startups are developing solutions around the world is to check the map designed by Startup Blink, an agency that is dedicated to mapping technological ecosystems. It shows all the latest projects created for the fight against COVID.

The New York Times – “How the Virus got out”

This article is a carefully crafted set of graphical information to show how the virus went from a local epidemic to a global pandemic. There isn’t much text – just enough to make sense of what the eyes see.

Check the official information from local health authorities

In Portugal, we are also carefully aware of the situation, with the National Health Department (DGS) updating a platform every day at noon. The platform is totally dedicated to this topic. If you live in Portugal, you should pay attention to this platform.

Remember to check the infection data in the place/municipality where you live: you may think that it is safe not to follow the measures of social distance where you are, far away from a city, but the numbers may surprise you.

SAPO24 also shares every day a summary of the numbers announced, both in the country and by county.

Wired Coronavirus Videos

As we have said earlier, there aren’t many people that we can blindly follow when it comes to obtaining reliable information about the new Coronavirus. We need to stick with the opinions of the real experts: scientists, medical professionals, and researchers who are investing all their time in the search for concrete solutions – from ways of preventing the spread of the virus, possible cures and, of course, a vaccine to control the disease.

Wired has taken an admirable stance in its approach to the subject, having resorted to Dr. Seema Yasmin to look for answers supported with facts. Yasmin is a doctor, university professor and specialist in epidemics, the spread of diseases and, consequently, the dissemination of disinformation about these cases.

MinutePhysics video about data and the pandemic

Most of the data we get is based on time and number of cases. It serves us right when it comes to raising panic levels, but a glimmer of hope would come in hand these days. MinutePhysics was kind enough to break down on current data and collaborate on the creation of a new graphic.

This is important in the sense that it helps us understand simple things: 1. why, even after governments take action, the results take their time to show on the data we get; 2. when we might be before the actual flattening of the curve.