S.D.

R: Social Distancing Reminder

A study on Arduino Social Distancing Device in Preventing the Risk of Covid-19 Transmission

Chapter 1: Introduction Draft

LABANON, John Arth

MONTILLA, Vince Ivan Jon S.

12 - Archimedes

Mr. Gene Michael Atanacio

Research Project Teacher

Chapter I: Introduction
A. Background of the Study

The Philippines recorded and confirmed its very first case of Novel Coronavirus on January 30,

2020 from a 38-yr. old woman from Wuhan, China. Two days later, February 01, 2020, the

Philippines recorded its first death. The country is far greater risk of increasing its number of

infections since the proximity of it to china is afar. The government was threatened since China

is home to more than 230,000 migrant Filipino often referred to as OFW (Overseas Filipino

Workers) who particularly works as household in many parts of China and Hong Kong.

Covid-18 or Novel Coronavirus was first originated and reported in Wuhan, China in December

2019. The World Health Organization declared that the virus was a pandemic since it rapidly

spread across the continents and more than hundreds of countries. Every affected country

employs their strategies to contain and mitigate the spread of the virus. On May 11,2020, many

countries like Iran, Spain, Italy, Vietnam, and others started to ease the health protocols and

restrictions after a decrease in cases that was observed. Vaccines are not yet readily available and

discovered that’s why interventions are implemented like social distancing and wearing face

mask. It is in study in history that behavioral interventions were effective during global health

crisis.

Social distancing, also known as “physical distancing,” means maintaining a space between

yourself and other people who are not from your household. To practice social or physical

distancing, stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from other people who are not from your

household in both indoor and outdoor spaces. In the Philippines, the Department of Health
strictly implemented in all areas of the country a strict social distancing especially in public

areas. This measure is encouraged to mitigate the spread of the disease in the country and slow

down its peak. In line with this, the House of Representatives, with the approval of the President,

has filed House Bill No. 6623 that will guide the public and businesses in their conduct after

community quarantine to fight the spread of COVID-19. Under the bill are some of the

guidelines that are encouraged like wearing of face mask in public, the availability of

sanitizing/washing stations in public places, mandatory temperature checks, social distancing,

public transportation protocols, food service protocols, and guidelines for various establishments.

While general social distancing guidelines are available, itis important to put into description

how people specifically practice them in the real situation. It will be significant for people who

currently make relevant guidelines to curb COVID-19 infection.

Social distancing practices are changes in behavior that prevent disease transmission by reducing

contact rates between susceptible individuals and infected individuals who may transmit the

disease. Social distancing practices can reduce the severity of an epidemic, but the benefits of

social distancing depend on the extent to which it is used by individuals. Individuals are

sometimes reluctant to pay the costs inherent in social distancing, and this can limit its

effectiveness as a control measure.

Based on studies, the most effective way to help prevent the transmission of any disease,

particularly of COVID-19, is to keep away from other or what has been known to be “social

distancing”; prevention is better than cure. It is one of the easiest ways for people to lower their

risk of infection during an epidemic and to reduce their rate of contact with infectious

individuals. However, it is a waste-time to keep be conscious with the surrounding and keep

yourself at estimated distant with others. It would be helpful if there were a device that would
notify and warn the user and others to keep away from each other. Research also shows that in

the absence of vaccination or other intervention measures, optimal social distancing never

recovers more than 30% of the cost of infection.

B. Statement of the Problem

This research seeks to give these recommendations and suggestions.

1. 1. Social Distancing Reminder (SDR) would be more effective than of a traditional

safety precautions especially in public places.

2. 2. Technology, specifically Arduino projects, are beneficial to lower the risk of

COVID-19 transmission.

3. 3. Social Distancing Reminder (SDR) would be usable in the long run rather than of

an over the counter and expensive medical safety equipment.

C. Objectives of the study

The research aims to expose students to Arduino technology and produce invention that

will make people’s life easier. To determine and program an Arduino board that would

measure distance and at the same time detect temperature in different settings, initially using

the knowledge of students in robotics through examining similar Arduino boards in

developing a prototype.

D. Significance of the Study

The study is conducted to identify the effectiveness of social distancing reminder with

temperature scanner in a pandemic crisis and in the absence of vaccine.

 The research would also be beneficial in different settings and sectors of the community

such as:

When there is a lack of COVID-19 safety protocols and equipments in

establishment, with the device people would be aware of their distances with each other.

It would be cost efficient for establishments since there is no need to purchase

temperature scanner. If the government of the Philippines and Department of Science and

Technology approve the production of the device, it is massive production would create

job opportunities. Due to the pandemic, there are scarcity of productive job opportunities

in the Philippines. Many left and fired in their respective jobs. It would be of a great

render if the device would be officially out of the market. By creating the device, the

students can apply their learnings about programming and designing prototypes to solve

different social and medical issues that our country is currently facing. Through the

application of the concepts of robotics, students would learn to think beyond their

capacities and create innovative technologies. The fear of being in a crowd during a

pandemic is very inevitable. Trough SDR, you foster awareness of your surroundings and

that is one step of creating a barrier of protection against COVID-19.

E. Scopes and Limitations

The focus of the study is on creating the Social Distancing Reminder device

controlled by Arduino. The data collection will be performed inside the barangay of each

researcher, 10 respondents will be needed for each researcher totaling to 60 respondents.

These participants will go through an assessment after they use the prototype.
 This study covers the respondents inside the barangay of each researcher and the

components needed for the Arduino to run, people that does not belong in the community

of the researchers are not covered in this study.

D. Conceptual Framework

Conceptual Framework
E. DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Arduino- is an open-source platform used for building electronics projects. Arduino

consists of both a physical programmable circuit board (often referred to as

a microcontroller) and a piece of software, or IDE (Integrated Development

Environment) that runs on your computer, used to write and upload computer code to

the physical board.

2. Prototype-is an early sample, model or release of a product created to test a concept

or process. Typically, a prototype is used to evaluate a new design to improve the

accuracy of analysts and system users. It is the step between the formalization and the

evaluation of an idea.

3. Pandemic- is when an infectious disease spreads quickly to more people than experts

would expect. It usually affects a larger area than an outbreak.

4. Quarantine- a state, period, or place of isolation in which people that have arrived

from elsewhere or been exposed to infectious or contagious disease are placed.

5. Ultrasonic Sensor- is an electronic device that measures the distance of a target object

by emitting ultrasonic sound waves and converts the reflected sound into an

electrical signal.
CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Enabling and Enforcing Social Distancing Measures using Smart City and ITS

Infrastructures: A COVID-19 Use Case.

Since there is no authorized medication to cure this disease, preventive and mitigation

mechanisms are required to keep it from spreading. The spread of the virus is being hampered by

social distancing steps such as countrywide lockdowns, travel bans, quarantining hotspots, and

restricting customers at critical businesses. In such critical circumstances, it is critical to

introduce fast mechanisms, and multiple organizations work together to restrict the disease's

spread. To ensure the protection of people and properties, a wide spectrum of situational

intelligence and automated targeted response is expected to be required in the city, with the goal

of reducing casualties and mitigating economic impact.

Many countries around the world are considering deploying "smart" cities, including the

United States, the Netherlands, China, and Japan, to name a few. For example, Amsterdam's new

Smart City 3.0 model enables residents and private companies to partner with the government in

designing and expanding smart city solutions. In areas such as infrastructure and technology,
smart energy and water, and Intelligent Transportation Systems, this program involves research,

ventures, and data sharing (ITS).

Philippines' Duterte keeps one-meter social distancing rule.

On the 19th Day of September 2020, President Duterte keeps the one-meter physical

social distancing rule in public transportation to get not infected by the novel corona virus.

Duterte retain the one-meter social distancing and he also ban eating and speaking in public

places and public transportation. The spokesperson of our President also added that wearing or

face mask and face shield is prohibited all the time. From 75cm distancing to 50 cm distancing

on the 28th day of September and 30 cm distancing to accommodate more passengers who are

returning to work because they allowed opening of some malls. The World Health Organization

mandated to still follow the one-meter social distancing to stop spread the virus.

Social distancing in response to the COVID-19 in the United States.

In January 2020, the virus is quickly spreading all over the world the people do not know

what they will do because this virus is dangerous, and it is deadly and it quickly spreading social

distancing or physical distancing are important that we need to maintain to avoid the virus

transmission which can destroy our respiratory system that might cause of death. We practice
social distancing because this is the only way that can prevent the virus although there has a

vaccine already, but these practices are important because social distancing can provide our

safeness. The COVID-19 pandemic is quickly changing, and individual perceptions are rapidly

shifting over period, but it is important to remember that people living in the US viewed the

danger of COVID-19 early in the disease outbreak and how social distance has also been

practiced assessing way approach.

The virus came out of nowhere and shocked all citizens of each country. With the sudden

spread of virus, it was never easy to adjust. To wear facemask every time, you went out, to limit

your association with other individuals. Everything came so fast that no one was prepared for it.

Adjusting is hard and so applying safety protocols had been hard to follow as well. Some had

forgotten whilst some are just not willing. Social distancing or keeping distance with others are

meant to limit interaction with others' but as time passes, more and more came out and went with

their life as usual and distancing was hard with so many people that just does not really care.

Social distancing's effectiveness came at stake and it was lessening with 6 feet distancing to less

than 6 feet. More people are exposed with the virus and larger cases are recorded each day

passing.

American Individualism is one of the hindrances USA must face right now. Americans

had been forced to wear their masks properly but there had been rally to the Government saying

they cannot breathe enough with face masks, some said if al used face masks there would not be

left for health workers. Given the fact that the virus is not lessening anytime soon. Some

individuals 'doesn't believe to covid, it is not real' and just chose to stay how they are without any

protection to potential virus.

Crafty Engineers Create COVID-19 Monitoring Devices with Arduino Boards and Maxim

ICs.

This article was published on August 25, 2020. The COVID-19 made everyone cautious

about their surroundings and about their health which was in very danger, it is because this virus

can easily infect anyone. This pandemic made everyone specially those people who has a

specialty in health and creating something, then there came the engineers, they made this device

that made an impact to the pandemic which helped most of us.

The Coronavirus pandemic has put the focus on specialists and researchers who are

working constantly to treat patients, explore and create immunization and treatment up-and-

comers, and devise wellbeing and security conventions. We likewise cannot fail to remember the

specialists who are contributing their skill to fight the novel Covid. I went over a few fascinating

plans that I am sharing here to feature the imagination, inventiveness, and specialized gifts that

the Do-It-Yourself people group is exhibiting in its endeavors. With the assistance of reference

plans including biosensors, these creators have made models that empower distant patient

observing, hardware disinfection, and contact following—all vital aspects intending to the

infection.

Group IoT-Bangladesh unquestionably had security as a main priority when its individuals built

up a Coronavirus patient checking gadget dependent on LoRa. This sensor-based framework is

proposed to assist clinical experts with observing the medical issue of tainted patients. Different

sensors measure organic practices of a patient (pulse, temperature, SpO2, ECG, development,

circulatory strain).

Social Distancing Practices of Residents in a Philippine Region with Low Risk of COVID-

19 Infection.

Researchers and specialists have come to laud the viability of social removing hones

(SDPs) in curbing the exponential development of coronavirus 2019. it is fascinating to know

how individuals practice them in the genuine circumstance. Hence, the general goal of this paper

is to portray the SDPs of occupants in a Philippine locale with a generally safe of Coronavirus

contamination. The outcome showed that the inhabitants for the most part follow a mix of

various SDPs. They practice the suggested distance; express verbal signals to remind others; pass

on suggested signs to movement others; select chance to perform tasks; pick spots to perform

tasks; practice metacognitive abilities; welcome without actual contact; lean toward virtual

exercises; keep away from contacting objects; use objects of outsider; use defensive things; and

avoid the outer climate.

In the Philippines, as the nation facilitated its isolate measures beginning May 16, the

Department of Health (DOH) emphasized that social distancing must be observed in public

places. Using this measure, it is most likely to control the transmission of the pandemic COVID-

19. In relation to this, the House of Representatives has filed House Bill No. 6623 to direct

individuals on the best way to live in another typical climate, particularly in observing proper

social distancing.
 The consequence of this research is for the most part corresponding to the theoretical

meaning of the Habitats for Infectious prevention and Anticipation (2020) on social distancing.

Three measurements appeared to shape the applied meaning of social separating. These are:

"stay in any event six feet from others", "don't accumulate in gatherings", and "avoid swarmed

places".

Digital technologies in the public-health response to COVID-19.

This article was published on August 7, 2020. It states that digital technologies were

being harnessed so that it can be use in supporting the public-health response against covid-19,

this includes population surveillance, contact tracing, case identification and evaluation of

interventions based on mobility data and communication with the public.

Many aspects of life were transformed by the digital revolution. By 2019, 67% of the

population worldwide have signed up for mobile devices, 65% of whom are smart phones—in

Sub-Saharan Africa, the fastest growing15. The 2019 download of 204 billion apps16 and the

social media actively used by 3.8 billion people as of January 202017.

Here we critically examine the use of digital technologies to respond to COVID-19 in the

world for public health (Fig. 1). We talk about the breadth and limitations of innovations. This

system-level approach is necessary to inform how to embed digital strategies in COVID-19

control strategies and help prepare for future epidemics,

Digital epidemiological surveillance is a core function in the management of outbreaks in

public health is to understand transmission and detect risk factors for the disease in time, place,

and person to guide effective actions. Digital information sources are being used to improve and
interpret key epidemiological data collected for COVID-19 by public health authorities. Online

data sources for early disease detection Established population monitoring systems usually rely

on laboratory health data, clinician-diagnosed case notifications, and networks of syndromic

surveillance. The syndromic surveillance network uses clinical symptom reports from hospitals

and selected primary and secondary medical facilities, such as influenza-like illness rather than

laboratory diagnosis, to provide regular monitoring data for all cases.

Coronavirus, Social and Physical Distancing and Self-Quarantine.

Social distancing is practiced throughout the world who is experiencing this Pandemic.

However, as more people are permitted to go out and mingle with friends, go to work, buy

essentials. Social distancing is becoming less and less effective. Nonetheless, it is proved that

keeping 1 meter or 6 feet is an effective way of avoiding being infected by the virus. Adding to

this, frequently sanitizing your hands before and after being in contact with objects that may be

unclean can lower the risks of an infection. But then again it is best to stay at home and isolate as

much as possible if you do not have important agendas to attend outside. Especially if your area

is on a higher case of the virus. Keeping your distances and staying at home will be a much

better option. Adults and adolescence are much more prone to the virus that is why in some

areas, there are rules applied for going out. The importance of flattening the curve will benefit

everyone, this may result for our old lives to be enjoyed again, without worrying being infected

with the virus. If one day, it is completely accomplished it is still better to take precautions in

case of any disturbances.

Meter to Measure Short Distances

This based distance meter can be used for measuring the distance between the sensor and object

in the range of 2cm to 400cm using an ultrasonic sensor. The circuit diagram of the distance

meter is shown in Fig. 3. It is built around Arduino Uno board (board1), ultrasonic sensor and a

few other components. HC-SR04 is a low-cost ultrasonic sensor that consists of transmitter and

receiver units. When the controller gives a high signal to trig pin of the sensor, the sensor emits

eight-cycle sonic bursts at 40kHz. After sending the sonic bursts, the sensor sets the echo to high

till the sonic bursts return to the sensor. The length travelled by this pulse shows how far the

object is.

Ultrasonic waves follow the properties of generic sound waves. Due to this, there might be a

change (microscopic) in speed of sound waves in either direction with change in temperature.

This change generates errors in calculation and, hence, different values are obtained for the same

object kept at the same place when the temperature changes. To overcome this, a special

algorithm is used, which gives the exact distance. This algorithm is based on probability and

statistics.

Wearable devices can identify COVID-19 cases earlier than traditional diagnostic methods

and can help track and improve management of the disease, Mount Sinai researchers

report in one of the first studies on the topic. The findings were published in the Journal of

Medical Internet Research on January 29.

The Warrior Watch Study found that subtle changes in a participant's heart rate variability

(HRV) measured by an Apple Watch were able to signal the onset of COVID-19 up to seven

days before the individual was diagnosed with the infection via nasal swab, and to identify those

who have symptoms.

This study highlights the future of digital health (Robert P. Hirten, 2021), MD, Assistant

Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and

member of the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at Mount Sinai and the Mount Sinai

Clinical Intelligence Center (MSCIC). "It shows that we can use these technologies to better

address evolving health needs, which will hopefully help us improve the management of disease.

Our goal is to operationalize these platforms to improve the health of our patients and this study

is a significant step in that direction. Developing a way to identify people who might be sick

even before they know they are infected would be a breakthrough in the management of COVID-

19."

Distance Measuring Technologies for COVID-19 Wristbands

As the pandemic continues, we have seen several contact tracings and hit the market to stop the

spread. Some solutions make use of digital technologies, for instance, uses a camera’s depth

perception capabilities to gauge whether people are staying a safe distance apart. Other solutions

are more bespoke —for instance, to ensure proper distancing.

No matter their approach, employers and businesses will need new tools to help maintain social

distancing as lockdowns ease and people return to work. For device-makers looking to

contribute, Bluetooth® technologies can be applied in social distancing devices to great effect.

Here is everything you need to know about using Bluetooth LE to measure proximity and help

employers.
CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The researcher’s prototype, an ultrasonic sensor will be used to determine the distance

between two people. A corresponding LCD will be lit depending on the data that will be sent to

the Arduino by the ultrasonic sensor. If the red LCD is lit, it will send a warning that warns

people that they are not observing proper social distancing. However, if the green LCD is lit, it

means that they are observing proper social distancing.

Research Locale

The use of SDR or the Social Distancing Reminder will be held in the corresponding

barangay/community of each researcher, the researchers decided this to prevent the further

spreading of the virus COVID-19. Each researcher is responsible of gathering 10 respondents in

their community, they will use one prototype which will be passed on from one researcher to

another.

Sampling Design

The researchers will be using a simple random sampling, it will enable respondents to

select from a linear set of responses. The researchers will be needing the participation of 60

respondents to make this study a success, the researchers will be sampling the SDR or Social

Distancing Reminder inside the barangay of each researcher. This will allow the respondents to

express their opinions towards the prototype through rating it by their degree of agreement.
Instrumentation

The instrument used was a research-made questionnaire checklist to gather the

needed data of satisfactory and effectiveness of using the Social Distancing Reminder. The draft

of the questionnaire was drawn out based on the researcher’s studies, review of related literature,

published and unpublished Arduino projects relevant to the study. In the preparation of the

instrument, the requirements in designing of good data collection instrument were considered.

The questionnaire will have 3 parts. Part one will ask for the profile of the respondents. The tool

for profile was made by the researchers; it will determine the age, gender, average monthly

income, and address of the respondents. Part two is the tool to determine the efficacy of the SDR.

This will be the performance evaluation of the efficacy of the prototype itself. Part three will be

the recommendations and feedback from the respondents of what is needed to be fixed and

improved with regards to the accuracy of the SDR.

Data Gathering Procedure

The first step before going to testing proper is to make a request letter. The researchers

construct a questionnaire checklist to be validated by their professor of the subject then the

questionnaires prepared are distributed in target locations. The researchers conduct the research

in Intramuros, Manila through survey since its population is quite dense. In administering the

questionnaires, the researchers will explain to respondents the importance of their response to the

study and that they should clarify some technical terms to the respondents for them to answer the
questionnaires with full knowledge of their responsibility as the subject of the study. Rating scale

questionnaires are used since the researchers’ goal is to determine the effectiveness of the SDR

in different situations and locations. The researchers believe that random sampling is the most

appropriate in choosing the sample for the study. Based on the data, the researchers come up

with conclusions and recommendations fort this study.

Statistical Treatment

The responses made by the respondents describing their socio-demographic profile, preference in

personal safety procedures, and ratings are presented. For instance, sex, age, educational

attainment, and preference in medical safety equipment. Responses to the questionnaire by the

respondents were statistically analyzed with the data requirements of the study.

After retrieving the accomplished copies of the questionnaire, the researcher recorded the answer

of the individual respondent in a tallied, then the data were transferred to table for statistical

treatment and interpretation. The researcher made use of the Percentage and a Five Point Scale to

quantify the data gathered and to find statistical significance for the subproblems.

The formula of the Percentage is: % = f / N x 100 where

% = Percentage of response

f = frequency

N = total number of respondents

 This method of standardizing size, which indicates the frequency of the occurrence of the

category for 100 per case. A Five Point Scale was used to guide the respondents, evaluation as a

poll.

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