ABSTRACT
At the time of writing this study, the COVID-19 virus continues to spread through its multiple mutants, the latest of which is (Omicron). Therefore, it was necessary to use effective and unconventional treatments to reduce the spread of this virus and to deliver health care to its infected without the need to be exposed to the risk of infection. This research paper presents valuable solutions for communicating with COVID-19 patients through the use of information technology applications. This method contributes to reducing the consumption of medical resources, reducing contact with patients, and helping with social distancing, which contributes to reducing the spread of this virus. The process of using information technology means to provide medical advice and treatment to patients by telemedicine doctors has been clarified. More importantly, the results of this study presented the factors affecting the use of these applications in terms of social, technological, and organizational. © 2022 Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The changes in air quality were investigated in six megacities during the shutdown phases in 2020 and were compared to the same time periods in the previous 10 years (2010-2019) using the data of Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis and Research and Application, version 2 (MERRA-2). The concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were greatly reduced in all megacities during the lockdown in 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019 and in the previous ten years. The highest reduction in PM10 was recorded in Delhi, and Sao Paulo (21%, and 15% and by 27%, and 9%), when compared with the concentrations in 2019 and in the period 2010-2019, respectively. Similarly, levels of PM2.5 in Delhi, Sao Paulo, Beijing, and Mumbai decreased by 20%, 14%, 12%, and 10%, respectively in 2020 when compared to the last ten years. Results indicated that the lockdown is an effective mitigation measure to improve air quality. The MERRA-2 reanalysis dataset could be a vital tool in air quality studies in places with a lack of In-situ observations.