Importance of Engineering

The coronavirus has been terrorizing the world since 2019. Recently, I had to test for COVID and I couldn’t help but wonder how engineers had played such a huge role in limiting the spread of the coronavirus. I mean, someone has to create the tests and figure out how to ensure the results are as accurate as possible. Who better to do that than engineers? So naturally, I decided to investigate. The results were very interesting, bringing up technology that allowed engineers to manufacture these tests, several specific COVID tests that worked well, and engineers all over the world who are responding to the pandemic.

One reason engineers have been able to create such reliable testing is the useful tools and technology they have produced. The engineers have been able to use inventions such as Artificial Intelligence to develop tests. A particularly useful tool is a model of the real world that can anticipate possible problems and allow engineers to devise a plan on how to solve this problem, known as a “digital twin”. This computer model itself is another great example of engineering because it allowed engineers to create the testing that is helping slow the spread of COVID-19.

Furthermore, two engineers who played a huge role in the development of a very useful COVID test were Dr. Jain and student Long Nguyen. The test that they created can be performed in a total of 45-60 minutes with 5-10 minutes to read, opposed to the CDC- recommended tests that can take over double that time. This is another excellent example of engineers working together to improve upon designs that have already been created in order to produce the most effective invention possible. Dr. Jain was able to use his research of other COVID tests, then create a test that was even better and more effective than the ones before it!

Another group of engineers was able to create a test for infectious diseases shortly before COVID even came about. They identified a problem in the world in the form of infectious diseases going unnoticed. The whole reason this test was created is because engineers are never satisfied. They will continue to improve upon designs, not being complacent with anything less than perfect. If they could create something that costs less, the engineers will find a way. If the design could be even more efficient, it will. No matter if something could be made even slightly easier to use or solve a completely new problem, engineers will work hard to ensure their invention is the best it can be.

The coronavirus isn’t just occuring in America either. Engineering groups all over the world, of all genders and races, are creating tests to stop the spread of COVID in their countries too. For example, in Africa, engineers at the KNUST worked together to create a rapid test for COVID that can get results in 15-20 minutes opposed to the 48 hours it took before their test. Engineers throughout the whole world have been working tirelessly on vaccines, testing, and other health supplies to fight COVID. Diverse opinions in engineering are very important to ensure everyone is getting what they need. If we didn’t have diversity in this field, everything would be the same, heping only one group of people. The pandemic has brought countries together (metaphorically of course) to fight one common enemy.

As you can see, engineers have greatly helped slow the spread of COVID-19 by creating vital tests. Without these engineers, containing the virus would be a lot more difficult. We would have another plague situation on our hands if the engineers were unable to produce the useful tests that we have today. So, if you are getting tested for the coronavirus, take a minute to appreciate all of the thoughts and efforts that engineers have put into this project to ensure you can stay happy and healthy.

Annotated Bibliography:

Engineering a Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2020/09/engineering-a-response-to-the-covid-19-pandemic
This article provided information about how scientists and engineers were working to end the pandemic. It gave me the inspiration to write about engineers working on COVID tests.

African science steps up to COVID challenge. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2020/05/african-science-steps-up-to-covid-challenge/
This article/website was useful for writing about diversity in the engineering of COVID tests. It showed how many countries worked together to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Faster, Cheaper, Easier COVID-19 Testing. (2021, January 05). Retrieved from https://www.eng.ufl.edu/newengineer/news/faster-cheaper-easier-covid-19-testing/
This source was about how testing has evolved and become better thanks to engineering. It helped to write about the grit of engineers while they fight the coronavirus.

Promising COVID-19 Rapid Test Technology Enters Phase 1 of NIH Challenge. (2020, October 01). Retrieved from https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/press-release/sia-covid-19-test-nih-challenge
In this article, it mentioned how engineers and scientists were working on tests for infectious diseases before the coronavirus. It also emphasizes the importance of testing being widespread and easily accessible.