Unfortunately, that just won’t do. Social distancing doesn’t actually mean cutting off human interaction altogether. We still need to know whatever is going on around us to be able to react accordingly to the coronavirus pandemic. We need people. And the closer to us, the better.
Telegram’s Location-based People Nearby/ Groups Nearby
On the plus side, apps like Telegram already have features in place to help. Telegram’s Location-based ‘People Nearby’ uses GPS to connect people in the same locality without them sharing sensitive information like phone numbers. Telegram’s intended purpose might slightly differ from what people actually use People Nearby for, although that’s the nature of technology. You never know how the end-user will interface with it when you’re putting it out there. On that point, Telegram intended People Nearby to sort of work like a seamless business card sharing platform when you’re networking at say a party. In truth, think more on the lines of dating platform/social network or marketing. In the same vein, Groups Nearby lets you join relevant groups within your vicinity. These location-based communities have the potential to kickstart meaningful community policing drives which can keep information channels flowing as concerns issues in the neighbourhood. More to that, you get to know your neighbours so that next time you meet on the street, you won’t be strangers, perhaps. On a cautionary note, unsavoury characters can bring down Groups Nearby through unsolicited adverts, mean spirited vibes and all that. The admins must state the end goal of the group and institute some ground rules from the get-go. If the purpose is to monitor individuals showing Covid-19 symptoms and sharing vital information from the Ministry of Health, let it be just that.
How to use ‘People Nearby’ on Telegram
Open Contacts (via the hamburger menu) » Add People Nearby to quickly exchange contact info with Telegram users in the same location (Other people should also have this section open.)»Scroll down to Groups Nearby to join or create a location-based group You can choose to make yourself visible so that other People Nearby Users can see you, or not. And unless somebody has your number already, they won’t be able to see it when you contact them/join groups, unless you set it that way in settings. People Nearby reminds me of a similar feature in WeChat where you play Russian Roulette with nearby strangers by simply shaking your phone. You never know who you’ll meet, but given that that person is also on the lookout gives it a certain level of mutual interest. After all, that other person is also shaking at the same time, same as you. If you know, you know.
