Maine techies launch 'stay home' pledge site to flatten the curve
Courtesy / MyHealthMath
Pledgetoprotectme.org, created by 65 tech-minded innovators in virtual brainstorming sessions to "flatten the curve," launched on April 3.
Maine technology innovators on Friday launched a website designed to keep residents safe and at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Users are invited to "take the pledge" to stay home and stop the spread.
The site, pledgetoprotectme.org, came out of "Flatten the Curve" hackathon sessions organized by Portland startup MyHealthMath and co-sponsored by the VIA Agency, SaviLinx and Cross Benefit Solutions, with support from Startup Maine and Maine Startups Insider.
Out of six product applications hackers came up with, the pledge site won out to be first out of the gate because it "created social challenge and support for folks to take the most critical steps for flattening the curve," Elizabeth Cote, a physician and chief mission officer of MyHealthMath, told Mainebiz.
In a matter of seconds, users can take the pledge by filling out an online form. They can then encourage others to the same via their social networks.
Organizers say the site harnesses Maine values of autonomy, self-determination and responsibility, as well as providing social recognition, connection, resources and clear, apolitical, bite-sized coaching to help people adopt the new norms of physical distancing and staying at home.
All are required to change the course of COVID-19 in the state.
As of early Monday, 83 people had taken the pledge, and the goal is to for that number to grow faster than the number of confirmed Maine cases, Cote told Mainebiz.
She also said that the site will serve as a platform to launch other innovations aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, with several others ideas in the pipeline after originating in the hackathons.
The ideas include a challenge to for each Mainer to spread the pledge to three other people; a buddy system pairing Mainers, to reduce impact and promote social connection; a simple yet sophisticated symptom self-checker, in partnership with national GetwellNetwork; a link to the growing number of resources by Mainers for Mainers including food, unemployment resources and personal protective equipment; and the sharing of apolitical, science-based information on pandemic developments and their direct implications for people in Maine.
The group, so far using word of mouth and social media to promote the pledge website, said it was delighted that the release coincides with the stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Janet Mills.
More information is available on the pledge website, and regular updates will be posted on Twitter via @PledgeProtectME
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