“To get to the best case” of vaccine deployment in about 18 months, Gates says, “we need to do safety and efficacy and build manufacturing" simultaneously. He acknowledged the plan will result in the loss of “a few billion dollars” on projects that don’t pan out. But deems that cost worth it considering the lives it could save.
Facebook is pledging fundraising and gift cards for small businesses
As small businesses struggle to make ends meet during the outbreak, Facebook has stepped in by launching a $100 million grant program, a gift card registry, and by allowing business owners to set up their own fundraisers through their Facebook pages.
Microsoft's launched a COVID-19 tracker tool
Compatible with both desktop and mobile, Microsoft's coronavirus tracker collects data from major world health organizations. (The tracker also helps emphasize the need for social distancing to help reduce the virus' spread.)
Alphabet's Verily is conducting volunteer-assisted drive-thru tests
1,000 Google volunteers have teamed up with Alphabet's Verily biomedical division to help with drive-thru testing and screening kits in California, CNBC reports.
Apple's also launched a COVID-19 screening website and app
Dubbed the "COVID-19 Screening Tool," Apple's website and app helps people learn more about public resources like testing and the need for physical distancing.
Amazon AWS has donated $20 million for COVID-19 research
Amazon AWS has donated $20 million to help research on detection. "One area where we have heard an urgent need is in the research and development of diagnostics, which consist of rapid, accurate detection and testing of COVID-19," the company says.
Still, Amazon has yet to properly address complaints about lack of safety for workers. Plus, its relief fund for sick workers has elicited strong criticism for asking for public contributions.
Diligent Robotics has sent Moxi to assist hospital staff
Easing some of the workload for hospital staff, Diligent Robotics has deployed its Moxi robot to help with trips to the supply room, disinfecting of surfaces, and providing help with other administrative chores.
"These high-performance computing systems allow researchers to run very large numbers of calculations in epidemiology, bioinformatics, and molecular modeling."
Dario Gil, director of IBM research.
The CDC has launched a COVID-19 self-checker chatbot in collaboration with Microsoft. Similarly, Facebook now offers a public survey to track COVID-19 hotspots and a coronavirus info hub in its Messenger app.
Amazon is building a COVID-19 testing facility for employees
According to The Washington Post, Amazon is looking into developing a testing facility for its workers. Multiple Amazon warehouses have staff who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Google is helping New York State handle a huge influx of unemployment benefits applications amid COVID-19 layoffs.
Razer will supply face masks to Southeast Asia
Global gaming hardware manufacturer Razer has announced it will set up manufacturing for face masks in the Southeast Asia region where a shortage threatens public health.
Infervision has presented an AI solution for COVID-19 detection
Artificial intelligence solutions from both Infervision and e-commerce giant Alibaba are helping overwhelmed clinicians detect and diagnose coronavirus symptoms early on.
Terra Drone is delivering medical supplies to the COVID-19 frontlines
The Japanese drone manufacturer has deployed drones in China to deliver medical supplies while minimizing unnecessary face-to-face interaction.
Tech giants are using computing solutions to examine COVID-19
Both Google's DeepMind division and BenevolentAI are working on separate campaigns to better understand what kinds of protein build COVID-19 and whether existing drugs can help combat the virus.
Still, room for improvement remains
In spite of the contributions, both big and small, from tech innovators, some major names lag behind. Among them is Elon Musk who vowed to provide ventilators but none of them have been delivered so far.
The deadly virus has exposed the discrepancies in the industry and laid bare the contradictions between what CEOs claim and what CEOs actually do.
At the same time, it has also shown people the power of partnerships between public and private entities, how an adjustment of priorities is key to fighting the outbreak, and how tech's approach to fighting the virus doesn't have to be singular and uniform — but multifaceted, complex, involved, and ever adaptable.