Blockchain in times of Coronavirus: DLT at the Service of Humanity

COVID-19 has set the scientific community on a race to find solutions for the worst pandemic in many decades. In a context where uncertainty is the rule, there is an immediate need to setup a public data layer that would need enable tracking of COVID-19 positives (both symptomatic and asymptomatic). 

Consolidating the information in a decentralized layer of information would enable governments to track and prevent outbreaks on specific locations. However, in order to implement effective vaccination policies and isolate compromised locations, digital identities are the first variable of the equation. Projects like MiPasa can contribute on this process in conjunction with ID2020 and Unbounded Identity. There’s an imperative need to find an intersection point where blockchain technology should enable individuals to report information privately while linking that information to digital identities. This would be an extremely useful use case for blockchain technology as there are multiple countries where public information is corrupted and inaccurate.  Biometrics could help in the process of matching digital identities and providing financial aid and vaccination. Building Blocks from the WFP (World Food Programs) is a great example of how you can use blockchain technology to match digital ids through biometrics.

The second variable in the equation, is related to traceability. Since the pandemic worldwide outbreak, many essential medical supplies have been counterfeited. Tracking the provenance of essential medical supplies to fight the pandemic and for the creation of a vaccine is a task of paramount importance. Blockchain technology has the attributes not only to provide this high degree of traceability all along the production process but also to identify any part of the process that doesn’t comply with regulations and exclude dishonest suppliers immediately from the production process. Dexfreight is a good example of how you can provide end-to-end traceability in the logistics process.

The third variable is related to the scientific community. Blockchain technology provides scientists a direct way to stimulate research via funding through digital assets and speed-up up the required peer-review process of scientific research. Curecoin & Scientific Coin are clear examples of how blockchain technology can help in this aspect. 

RSK is actively cooperating to fight the pandemic with projects such as David19 with the BID Lab & LACChain, BitGive’s Blockchain-Powered COVID-19 Relief Campaign and digital identities for inclusion. 

As we make progress in our efforts to collaborate with as many projects as possible (both with funding and implementations), we will keep on contributing to fight the virus. Stay tuned.