NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Many people are having a tough time deciding what's safe for them and their families over the holidays. Now, a tool developed by researchers at Georgia Tech can help you weigh the risks of encountering COVID-19.
Developers say back when the pandemic first started, they wanted to find a way to see how risky it was to go to gatherings. It uses a formula based on COVID-19 numbers in that specific area. You simply adjust the event size number on the left and zoom in which ever county you're in or visiting. But the developers say it doesn't have to be a get-together.
New this morning:
— Mo Haider (@mhaider_NC5) November 18, 2020
There’s a new online tool that lets you know the likelihood of running into someone at a gathering who tested positive for #COVID19. I spoke to the lead developer of @covid19riskUSA.
Hear from him on @NC5 this morning. pic.twitter.com/5oLTtiAm4w
You can use it for daily activities, like going to the hair salon, gym or even the grocery store. While this tool is designed to help people, the developers want you to know the numbers aren't exact.
"We use a very simple model for this. In all likelihood, we are probably under accounting for your risk. We really want this to serve as a baseline or a rough idea. It's not going to give you your exact risk down to like the percentage point, but it should give you a broad spectrum,” said lead developer Dr. Aroon Chande.
The developers say even if you use their tool, nothing can beat wearing a mask and social distancing. Click here for more.
