One Covid-19 research led by Gear Lab member Mr. Bing Zhou, a Ph.D. candidate, is recently accepted by Cartography and Geographic Information Science Journal! Big Congratulations!
In this study, the messages posted on an online mutual help-requesting platform during the 2022 Shanghai lockdown were leveraged as the near real-time agent to represent the side effects of the lockdown policy. Spatial, temporal, and semantic analyses were conducted to mine valuable information and derive insights from the data collected.
The results indicate that the help requests were clustered in downtown Shanghai. The access to profuse medical resources and public services may be hindered in districts with more stringent lockdown policies. The help requests’ content unveils a need for medication and groceries under lockdown. It also underscores that the elderly population was affected most by the lockdown. Based on these insights, policymakers can better anticipate and address the urgent residential needs that may arise in future lockdowns. This knowledge can contribute to more effective planning and preparedness efforts to mitigate the impact on vulnerable populations and ensure their well-being during similar crisis situations.
For more:
Zhou, B., Zou, L., Yang, M., Lin, B., Mandal, D. and Abedin, J., 2024. Overlooked voices under strict lockdown: mapping humanitarian needs in 2022 Shanghai COVID-19 outbreak. Cartography and Geographic Information Science, pp.1-19.
Figure 3. Individual-level user interface of the help request dashboard for Shanghai lockdown
Figure 4. Community-level user interface of the help request dashboard for Shanghai lockdown.
Congratulations! We look forward to hearing more achievements from GEAR Lab! Gig'em!
