The innovation in Silicon Valley has always been an unstoppable force but is now being used to fight COVID-19 on a financial, technological and philanthropic level. Below we have compiled some highlights that have been announced in recent weeks, but we send our most heartfelt gratitude to every individual and organization that is giving what they can and more. (If your company or organization is making a contribution in the fight against this global pandemic – we’d love to give you a shout out and our sincere thanks! Email us HERE.)
IN RECENT NEWS
Ventilator Refurbishment
San Jose-based Bloom Energy had never repaired a ventilator before but learned to do so within 5 hours of receiving its first shipment from the State of California less than 2 weeks ago. This cleantech manufacturing company has stated that while new to this field, they knew they had the “resources, skills, and grit to get it done.” And they have been doing it ever since. Find out how you can help Bloom Energy HERE.
Data Muscle
You may know that Facebook has been providing aggregated sets of information to health researchers for several years via their ‘Data For Good’ program, but did you know that their latest data muscle may reveal the probability of where COVID-19 may travel next based on where and how users are connected? Unlike a similar resource shared by Google, Facebook is only offering their latest location pattern tools to select academics who have entered into research agreements. Furthermore, the data sets are only pulling information on a city or county level, without identifying individual account patterns to maintain privacy. Read more HERE.
Making Transportation Easier
Bay Wheels, operated by Lyft, is now offering free 30-day memberships to essential healthcare workers and waiving ebike surcharges. According to Medium: “Essential healthcare workers can enroll now through April 30th for unlimited 45-minute trips on both classic pedal bikes and ebikes for 30 days. There’s no cost to hospitals or their employees to enroll, and the free membership will not auto-renew into a paid membership.” Enhanced disinfection efforts are being utilized in the Bay Wheels Depot and at valet stations. Learn more HERE.
Cash & Product Donations
The list of Silicon Valley tech companies offering large monetary donations and stockpiled masks/gloves/face shields/emergency supplies seems to grow every day. That is JUST the kind of tech growth that makes us proud to work and live here. Just a few notable names include: Amazon, Apple (also a Silicon Valley Strong donor), Cisco, Dell, Facebook, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Netflix, Salesforce, Spotify, TikTok and Twitter (with a unique contribution to the International Women’s Media Foundation). See detailed contributions HERE.
IP Restriction Removal
Have you heard about the Open COVID Pledge, an IP licensing program led in large part by Santa Clara-based Intel? As reported by Forbes, “the Open COVID Pledge is a call to action from its founding members to make critical IP available to other companies and individuals, in an effort to spur innovation and relieve the restrictions of IP access and research, in order to develop new tools to fight COVID-19.” Get details on making and implementing the Open COVID Pledge HERE.
Coast Guard Readiness
This just in (as of today): Palo Alto-based Palantir is providing tools to support the U.S. Coast Guard’s COVID-19 readiness response. While the exact scope of the work has not been released, Palantir has already sold its tech to the CDC to help monitor what masks, ventilators and staff hospitals required to fight the pandemic. Find out more HERE.
*The Silicon Valley Strong Media Center, Forbes Innovation Department and Tech Times are great sources to follow for updated contributions.
Where there is heart, there is hope. And that is the best thing about living in Silicon Valley today.
Cheers to health & hope for you & yours,
Mark Barber
Homes of Silicon Valley