Curtis Kim wants a job, but he also wants to help others.
To that end, the recent BCIT grad has developed a web application that has a wealth of information on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). It includes Canadian and global statistics, contact information for those who think they may have the virus, a map of worldwide cases, links to news stories, a list of symptoms and more.
“I want to keep people informed about the latest news,” he told the NOW. “That’s my goal, that people will be aware of what’s happening right now, and to help the community.”
The Port Coquitlam resident studied computer systems technology at the institute, and learned the skills he used to create the app at an internship, he said.
He spends most of his time applying for jobs but took a little more than two days to create the application, which he continues to update and modify.
Kim decided to make the app after spending a lot of time on his own researching COVID-19 and reading numerous news stories, he said.
Some of the data was outdated and some was difficult to read, he added.
“It (is) a serious worldwide issue, considering the speed (of the spread of the virus),” he said. “I felt like I wasn’t the only one who felt this way.”
He decided to create the platform as a way to help the community stay informed while also demonstrating his skills, he said.
He sources his data from the World Health Organization, Johns Hopkins, the Government of Canada website, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, and other websites.
Kim, who comes from South Korea and has relatives there, said he is keeping up on the news there, as South Korea has the second highest amount of COVID-19 cases after China.
“Honestly, I’m kind of scared about this,” he said regarding the virus.
To check out the web application, go to www.covid-19canada.com.
