Tech In Times of COVID-19: Platforms Arabs will need in case of a pandemic

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has shut down schools, canceled travel plans, and closed off entire cities in the past few weeks. 

Though the World Health Organization (WHO) has yet to officially announce it as a pandemic, the rise in infections all around the world means that this might become a reality very soon. 

So what happens if a pandemic takes hold of the world? Basically, life as we know it comes to a halt and we'll have to adapt to a new way of doing things. This includes figuring out ways to get work done, buy groceries, and stay connected among so many other things, of course. 

Enter technology and online platforms, which are expected to be our saviors in the next few months as we wither the current coronavirus season. Here are a few platforms we'll certainly be turning to in the Arab world: 

With all the events and work meetings being canceled, there's going to be a vital need to connect with people via video conferencing apps. 

Whether it's Skype for friends and family or Zoom for work, these are going to become a necessity. This is why many are calling for immediate lifts on bans on apps like Skype in countries including the UAE. 

Be prepared to text your way through the day as you'll be seeing much fewer people face to face during a pandemic. 

WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Telegram... you name it, we're downloading it. 

When there's a pandemic, we'll have to minimize even the most necessary outings and this includes grocery store runs and shopping outings. 

Luckily, we live in a day and age where online shopping has become available in the majority of Arab countries. 

And even in regions where it isn't, leave it to Arabs who've figured out how to deliver anything and everything via WhatsApp. 

Is it just us or is this virus-driven stay-at-home mode making our days longer? 

To survive a pandemic, we're going to have to figure out how to pass time while locked up at home. So relying on video streaming apps will become a must and they're emerging as the winners of the COVID-19 mania already. 

Who's going to go out to a pharmacy during a pandemic? Not someone who has access to an app through which they can get their prescription meds. 

There are several of these platforms available in the Arab world and we're going to need them if things go down hill. 

Bank notes can carry so many germs that we're all expected to somehow avoid during a pandemic. Enter online banking and electronic currencies that'll keep us sane. Update your banking apps (except if you're in Lebanon) everyone!

Schools are already shutting down across the Arab world as governments try to curb the spread of COVID-19. 

If a pandemic is announced, these closures are going to go on for longer than expected, but curriculums don't need to be canceled in their entirety. This is because there are so many e-learning options that schools can adopt to help students stay on track. 

With everyone on high alert, getting notified of all the important updates is going to be vital. People are bound to turn to news apps that constantly provide them with the most recent happenings.