How Are Thermal Cameras Preventing The Spread of COVID-19 in Public Spaces?
An inside look at how the current pandemic has led to a boom in technological demand including the use of thermal equipment.
As lockdown 3.0 is still in effect and there not being any sign of when normality will return, the world has become incredibly cautious. With ever changing healthcare guidance as each month passes it has become clear that there are certain things we can do to prevent the spread. The world will return to normality - it is inevitable, but we must move forward with the knowledge we have gained over the last 12 months.
As we progress through 2021 we will be able to have some influence on the method of how communities reopen and in particular how we can do so safely. We must ensure that we retain the normality of life that we know and love but use efficient methods to reduce the spread of future virus threats.
So how can smart technology make public spaces safer?
The incredible advance in technology has allowed solutions to problems to spread like wildfire via the internet. A key advancement has been the progress made with artificial intelligence which is often overlooked. Artificial intelligence has given us the ability to introduce fast paced problem solving equipment which resolves everyday problems in an efficient and automated manner. When artificial intelligence is then partnered with security systems via smart video, thermal cameras or facial recognition - the results are incredible! The world is benefitting from this tech as customer visiting establishments are installing these systems in the masses.
A sophisticated system can ensure large public spaces are monitored without the need of personnel being fixated on screen for multiple hours at a time. As time moves on these systems will only become more available and more competitively priced as companies adapt to offering these services.
These collaborative technology systems can monitor key factors to slowing the spread of germs moving forward such as social distancing. Monitoring the distance between people is a tedious task if done so manually and if a 6 foot / 2 metre distancing rule is here to stay, then the use of AI will free up the personnel needed for this job. Tracking the number of incidents in specific areas where social distancing rules are broken can ensure that additional precautions can be put in place sooner rather than later. The lower the amount of incidents moving forward will directly relate to slowing the rate of infection.
Facial recognition is being seen as a standard feature on most new smartphones or smart devices therefore it is only a matter of time before your facial ID could be linked to a database. Facial recognition could allow establishments to be alerted if someone has entered the premises who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 recently and staff could deal with the incident accordingly. Despite the feeling of always being watched or tracked this is an option that could provide additional safety for the masses if a security system such as this was installed in busy indoor environments. This system could also be used to identify who has been vaccinated along with keeping track of what areas could be at a higher contamination risk if they tested positive for COVID-19 at a later date. The tech could also reinforce the use of PPE by quickly pointing out individuals who are about to enter an establishment without a mask on. This could also eliminate any confrontations of whether someone has an ongoing condition which allows them to enter establishments without the need of a mask (such as COPD) . This would quickly indicate as to who is following the rules and who is defying them.
One of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 recorded around the world is the consistent high temperature. Collaborating thermal technology into these security systems can quickly indicate to officials as to who is measuring above the deemed safe temperature before they get within touching distance of working staff or other customers. Many schools and establishments around the UK have introduced an entering protocol where individual’s temperatures are taken using thermal screening systems. Individuals were not allowed to enter the premises unless they were below the designated temperature following COVID-19 guidance. Many companies have opted for a cheaper screening system by using thermal head thermometers which skyrocketed in demand. By using these thermal screening systems staff are able to turn customers away that may be carrying the COVID-19 virus whether they are aware or not. This immediately creates a safe environment as individuals with obvious symptoms were not put in compromising situations to spread the virus.
Using a security system that has these incredible features will only help prevent the spread of germs and slow down the infection rate. Although this may seem to be an over cautious approach, if this standard of system was in place across all of our major establishments before the pandemic began - the question has to be asked: Would the spread of COVID-19 have been so damaging? Furthermore, how many lives could these technological security systems have saved?
Written by - Adam Ling