The use of ICT during COVID-19

Proc Assoc Inf Sci Technol. 2020;57(1):e297. doi: 10.1002/pra2.297. Epub 2020 Oct 22.

Abstract

ICTs are pivotal in the existing social order and especially during the COVID-19 global pandemic. This panel focuses on the use of ICTs by different actors, including individuals, nonprofit organizations, and governments around the globe in responding to this COVID crisis. We tackle three essential questions about ICTs and the global crisis. First, what role do ICTs play in a global crisis? Second, how do ICTs affect social order when tensions between control, autonomy, and power shift? Third, what are the theoretical and practical implications of ICT use during a global health crisis? Each of the panelists will discuss their ongoing research in social informatics or health informatics as relates to the panel theme and central questions in order to provide a holistic view of the role of ICTs during this global pandemic.

Keywords: COVID‐19; ICT use; global crisis; health informatics; social informatics.