GetUSSafe.Org = Data + Accountability

Vulnerable populations struggle to maintain and make informed choices about personal health safety in the wake of COVID-19. Key barriers include:

• Varied regulations / guidelines
• Evolving medical advice
• Biased opinions about consumer safety
• Inadequate government monitoring

This leaves vulnerable individuals poorly equipped to protect themselves. GetUSSafe addresses this by publicly providing verified, real-time data regarding the implementation of COVID-19 guidelines at local businesses (restaurants, retailers, services, events, etc…).

Modeled after a proof-of-concept test in Las Vegas, NV, GetUSSafe deploys COVID Checkers to covertly conduct COVID-19 Compliance Checks at businesses. Tools are informed by CDC and OSHA guidelines. Results are shared to the public within 48 hours via a dynamic website, mobile app, and at partner events/centers. This award will add 700 Checks, to the 200 already planned in Sacramento, CA, targeting vulnerable communities including (a) seniors, (b) those with underlying health conditions, and (c) minority groups disproportionately affected by COVID-19. 

Globally, the challenge presented by the COVID-19 pandemic is vast.  NYTimes.com reported that 22% of the world population is especially vulnerable to COVID-19 due to age or underlying health conditions.  Over a quarter of confirmed COVID-19 cases (jhu.edu) are in the United States where 25% of the population is vulnerable (thinkglobalhealth.org). Moreover, risk is not distributed equally. The CDC reports Black Americans across all age groups have significantly higher rates of diabetes and conditions affecting the heart and lungs. Inequities increase with age. 23% of Black Americans 50-65 were diagnosed with diabetes versus 14% of Whites and 61% versus 41% with high blood pressure (cdc.gov).

Currently, the 310,000 elderly (60+), medically vulnerable and nearly 180,000 Black or Black Biracial Americans in Sacramento County (census.gov) are sporadically informed from biased sources regarding COVID-19 protections at local businesses. GetUSSafe will deploy COVID Checkers to evaluate prevention efforts at businesses of all types in commercial districts, minority neighborhoods and senior communities. Data collection tools will be informed by CDC and OSHA guidelines and data rapidly made public via a dynamic website, mobile app and community partners. Businesses will experience increased accountability and individuals will be empowered to make informed choices about their risks.

Globally, the challenge presented by the COVID-19 pandemic is vast.  NYTimes.com reported that 22% of the world population is especially vulnerable to COVID-19 due to age or underlying health conditions.  Over a quarter of confirmed COVID-19 cases (jhu.edu) are in the United States where 25% of the population is vulnerable (thinkglobalhealth.org). Moreover, risk is not distributed equally. The CDC reports Black Americans across all age groups have significantly higher rates of diabetes and conditions affecting the heart and lungs. Inequities increase with age. 23% of Black Americans 50-65 were diagnosed with diabetes versus 14% of Whites and 61% versus 41% with high blood pressure (cdc.gov).

Currently, the 310,000 elderly (60+), medically vulnerable and nearly 180,000 Black or Black Biracial Americans in Sacramento County (census.gov) are sporadically informed from biased sources regarding COVID-19 protections at local businesses. GetUSSafe will deploy COVID Checkers to evaluate prevention efforts at businesses of all types in commercial districts, minority neighborhoods and senior communities. Data collection tools will be informed by CDC and OSHA guidelines and data rapidly made public via a dynamic website, mobile app and community partners. Businesses will experience increased accountability and individuals will be empowered to make informed choices about their risks.

GetUSSafe strives to serve and meet the needs of communities most vulnerable to negative COVID-19 outcomes: the elderly, those with underlying health conditions, and disproportionally impacted demographic groups. Beyond publishing data to the website and app, we have, and continue, to forge partnerships with organizations already integrated into vulnerable communities. This includes the Food Literacy Center, the Child Abuse Prevention Center, local family resource centers and other community groups. These partners are educating us in many ways including how to best reach, understand, and deliver information to our target audience. As we continue to develop, pathways to ensure ongoing feedback from those we serve are being put in place. Partners will integrate GetUSSafe information into community trainings, events, and community centers in multiple formats to untie information access from internet connectivity. Partners are meeting with us to share local needs and establish systems for ongoing feedback from the community. Feedback channels are also integrated into the website/app, allowing users to post comments on results, send direct email messages or even request a COVID Check at a specific business. Our team will address expressed needs by adjusting check protocols, data collected, and information delivery style as appropriate to better serve communities.

Effectively responding to pandemics and health security threats requires a mechanism to collect and distribute clear, trusted, and unbiased information regarding how successful scientifically backed   prevention protocols are being implemented by private businesses. For the most vulnerable, by virtue of health condition or demographic, this is even more vital. They need to understand when others are putting them at risk and know how to avoid it. GetUSSafe accomplishes this by accurately collecting and openly publishing validated information on business prevention efforts thereby creating greater private sector accountability and enhancing vulnerable individuals ability to protect themselves via informed decision making.

GetUSSafe is forging a path forward for our communities to thrive despite the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Currently, those living in the United States struggle to maintain their personal health safety. With the menagerie of COVID-19 regulations and guidelines at all levels coupled with evolving medical advice, families have struggled to understand their risk. As we re-enter public life, there is no solid information on how businesses are protecting us from exposure to COVID-19. Local governments lack the resources to monitor business’ adherence to regulations leaving the most vulnerable citizens without adequate information to gauge their risk and protect themselves.

GetUSSafe approached this problem in a new and innovative way by providing verified, real-time data regarding the effectiveness of businesses (restaurants, retailers, services, etc…) implementation of COVID-19 guidelines. This funding will expand the capacity of GetUSSafe to move beyond the central business districts to reach vulnerable communities with high populations of (a) seniors, (b) those with chronic health conditions, and (c) households with low-income.

Data collection tools will utilize CDC and OSHA guidelines with findings posted to the public via a dynamic GetUSSafe.Org website, the mobile app, and through literature at community foodbanks and resource centers. COVID Checkers would perform the evaluations covertly, while consistently applying standardized protocols.  This approach is business as usual for corporations but this will be the first time the technology will be used to improve the health and safety standards of the country at a fraction of the cost compared to local law and code enforcement. 

GetUSSafe utilizes powerful database management technology generously provided by Knack.  We leverage our expertise in mobilizing qualified evaluators to canvas businesses across communities and enter data directly from their mobile devices to the platform we created to gather and disseminate collected information about COVID-19 Compliance.  Database management has played a key role in data collection which has been used for decades by corporations to make informed decisions on managing their business.  We are using this technology to bring much needed information to the public to both hold businesses accountable to providing reasonable CDC recommended protections and help people to make informed decisions about the businesses they frequent for everyday needs such as groceries, banking and other essential services.  

In May of 2020, a proof of concept pilot, GetLVSafe, was organized in Las Vegas, NV to test our ideas and understand how we could positively impact the COVID-19 crisis. Data collection tools and an online database were developed to evaluate various businesses measuring COVID-19 compliance and social behavior. COVID Checkers enter data on-site, including photos of violations, informed by the CDC, OSHA and local ordinances. In early June, COVID Checkers were mobilized to visit 30 businesses throughout Clark County, Nevada. The public web and app interface is in the testing phase. Adequate funding has been secured to complete a round of 200 assessments in Sacramento, CA but more is needed to cover high-risk communities.  A similar study was conducted in the U.S. but the findings were not provided to the public on a granular level.  Instead, general data was provided for major grocery chains without specifying which locations had deficiencies.  While that is helpful, we give people data they can use on a local level to make informed decisions about individual businesses in all sectors of commerce. https://www.bhg.com/news/safest-grocery-stores-coronavirus/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=realsimple_realsimple&utm_content=link&utm_term=702F0BA2-AF3A-11EA-9938-AFC24F017A06

Key preliminary data:

Businesses Evaluated (n=30):

• 7%   (2)  Big Box Stores
• 30% (9)  General Retail
• 27% (8)  Grocery
• 30% (9)  Restaurants
• 7%   (2)  Pharmacies

Findings:

• 83% social distancing markers present
• 47% majority of customers not social distancing
• 30% majority of customers not wearing face coverings
• 87% all employees wear face masks
• 81% clear barrier at registers
• 93% posted social distancing signage
• 16% automatic toilets
• 37% automatic soap dispensers
• 32% automatic sinks

We believe that our efforts to inform the public about potential health risks through published online information and public outreach through strategic partners will make immediate and lasting change.  By publishing the data, we expect to see positive changes in the behavior of businesses and a healthier population across the country and beyond.  There will be a cascading effect on the population as a whole. 

In the short term, we expect to see a reduction in the number of COVID-19 infections due to a migration of patronization towards businesses meeting or exceeding the recommended guidelines for COVID-19.  As more people spend their money with socially responsible businesses, it will pressure those businesses unwilling to participate in the welfare of community for the greater good to adhere simply for the economic benefit.  This will further reduce the transmission of the virus through safer public conditions for patrons and staff members.  It will ease the budgets of local government to focus their efforts on other needed services while our program identifies safe spaces and businesses to be more cautious about visiting. 

In the long run, this initiative will promote social responsibility which will act as an example to the next generation.  It will also trigger a higher expectation from the citizens of the world of businesses small and large whether it be for health standards or for other equally important issues like equal pay for equal work and equal rights for all.  Lastly, we expect this service to strengthen the bond between resource centers and the communities they serve by providing a lasting example of those agencies' commitment to the betterment of the community.  

Our solution currently serves 310,000 residents 60+ years old and nearly 179,000 Black residents of the Sacramento area.  In one year, we intend for the program to serve the entire population of the Sacramento valley totaling 2.6 million people.  In five years, our solution will have provided needed information to all 328 million citizens of the United States.

Our current reach has blossomed from just Sacramento, CA to Las Vegas, NV area where we first tested our concept.  Interest in our model has grown with interested parties in Las Vegas exploring the idea of partnering with us. By the end of this year, we aim to have provided the State of California and Nevada the tools they need to make informed decisions and to be able to hold accountable the businesses serving them.  Before the same time next year, we aim to be a resource all people in American can rely on for unbiased, validated and up to date information regarding health and safety in the marketplace.  Within five years, we aim to have this data being collected and provided to the people of all countries that have a real interest in the general welfare of their people.  We will partner with agencies around the globe to use our solution as a model for change in their communities. 

Throughout the journey, we will continue to partner with all organizations committed to providing this information to those who do not have access to internet connected computers or mobile devices.  That is why we are engaging local agencies to share the information with families in underserved communities who statistically have worse outcomes when contracting this deadly virus.  

Volatile COVID-19 protocols are a significant barrier to our success.  We are currently adapting to the changing environment, but government enforcement of safety measures are not uniformly enforced and the standards are ever changing.

 We have uncertainty when it comes to the ability to have evaluators out in the field.  We have concerns over the safety of our evaluators who are conducting the COVID Checks because they are at a higher risk of contracting the virus due to prolonged public exposure. 

The threat of another shelter-in-place order or social unrest remain a risk to our initiative.  Without the ability to conduct in-person evaluations, the model would be forced to adapt.

The effectiveness of the community awareness campaign about GetUSSafe would impact success.

Continued funding is a barrier to reaching the masses as we wish to.  We have enough funding to cover a few communities, but we need to reach the world.  

Social stigma remains a thorn in the side of all agencies trying to stem the tide of the virus.  In some areas of the country, it is socially unacceptable to adopt the proper safety measures. 

Political leaders do not always support recommended guidelines by the CDC and OSHA.

In spite of the volatility of COVID-19 prevention protocols, but our team will stay informed and our systems will have the ability to easily adapt my modifying data collection tools.

Evaluator safety is a high priority for the GetUSSafe team.  We will ensure that all evaluators have access to and use personal protective equipment.  If areas become too dangerous, we can follow protocols for a shelter-in-place scenario.

A new Shelter-in-Place order or civil unrest could impact the success of our initiative, but we have experience with this. During a research project in collaboration with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, in-person bank visits became impossible; however, we adapted by changing the process to phone calls. Our Grocery projects faced a similar challenge but evaluators who were doing their own essential shopping collected data for us. These solutions are imperfect but would still be applied to GetUSSafe to ensure valuable information regarding the safety of essential businesses is obtained.

  Successful community awareness campaign and funding challenges are closely tied together.  These challenges will be overcome by (a) effective social media advertising campaigns, (b) leveraging partners access to community members, (c) engaging local, regional and national media outlets, (d) building relationships with local community organizations, and (e) engaging local leadership.  The last item could be the most critical. Engaged leaders will be in a perfect position to increase awareness and acquire additional funding.  The team will also continue to actively seek out funding opportunities and aggressively court funders.

We have two full time staff working on this initiative.  There are two part time staff and 16 contractors working as needed.

Proliance is the company I founded along with my partner Joey Lidgett. We have extensive experience designing and implementing large-scale data collection programs working with non-profit research groups and private businesses. Existing infrastructure and resources will be leveraged for rapid scaling and responsive adaptations to evolving medical guidelines. 

Donald Evans has worked in quality control for food processing as well as worked with the Native Americans in Alaska to improve their communities through technology and sustainable fishing methods.

Joey Lidgett was the director and senior research associate for many years at the non-profit, Prevent Child Abuse California, where he partnered with many family resource centers and local organizations across California serving vulnerable communities.  He implemented database and data collection strategies that changed the way organizations looked measures program outcomes. 

Nicole Rogers has been integral in the Farm to Fork movement in Northern California and a leader in marketing and brand development.  She has opened doors to our cause: garnering resources, funds and insight into gaining government interest and support. She will provides consultation services to develop the GetUSSafe brand and is helping create effective marketing campaigns.

Deana Chan has improved the lives of Californians through her work in tobacco cessation and chronic health condition education for two decades.  Mrs. Chan helps develop and oversee program design implementation.  She also oversees the validation of data submitted by COVID Checkers. 

Together, we make a formidable team that can overcome obstacles, push the limits of capability and achieve great things for our community. 

Knack.com is a Silicone valley tech company specializing in easy to use, customized, web-based databases has provided a database management system and tech support. They are donating a free account, technical assistance and social media advertising.

The Food Literacy Center in Sacramento is a non-profit working with low-income students and their families on health and nutrition conducting weekly community events for low-income children where families will receive COVID-19 compliance data about their community.

Preferred Investigation is a Nevada based private investigation company that collaborated on the proof-of-concept pilot in Las Vegas, NV free of charge including evaluator fees and expenses.  They also hold the legal certifications required to carry out this work in the State of Nevada.

Proliance is a national market research company specializing in large-scale data collection efforts and specialty research projects for businesses and non-profit organizations who pledged administrative support including scheduling, project management and travel expenses for the team and evaluators in California.

Child Abuse Prevention Center has pledged support in connecting us with the network of resource centers throughout California as well as providing guidance with our efforts to engage the local leadership of Sacramento CA.

MystiShop: A web-based report processing company has provided data report services at rates 50% below market value.

Nicole Rogers: Marketing & branding consultant helping develop the GetUSSafe brand and connecting us to other leaders interested in helping our cause.

Deana Chan: Program Design. Consultant and data validator who provides guidance on program design and oversee data validation processes.

Our business model uses a two-pronged approach to providing our service to the community:

1. Leveraging our knowledge of database management and ability to mobilize experienced evaluators to collect compliance data.  This gives us the edge needed to provide affordable compliance checks throughout the community.  With support from organizations such as MystiShop and Knack, we can disseminate the information to millions with the ease of an app and website. 
2. Partnering with other organizations to ensure everyone has access to critical GetUSSafe information.  We understand that the economically-disadvantaged internet access and digital devices can be a challenge.  That is why we are working with local agencies to provide data through traditional means such as pamphlets and flyers with needed information.  To improve the adherence to COVID-19 guidelines, we will offer community businesses free training to improve their approach to meeting those standards.  This way, even those who do not want our services will reap the benefits of our efforts through safer environments and reduced COVID-19 infections.  

GetUSSafe will continue to apply for grants to sustain our efforts but ultimately, we will look to partnerships with local governments to fund our effort.  We can reach five times as many businesses for the same cost as an average code enforcer in the Sacramento area based on the mean pay of $30 per hour plus associated taxes and pension fees.  We are in the process of negotiations with Sacramento County in California and Clark County in Nevada.  As businesses are identified as abiding by the rules, our efforts will focus on those who do not comply.  Using the crowdsourcing technology available to us from the GetUSSafe app, we can target our efforts on businesses identified as violating the compliance guidelines set by the CDC and OSHA instead of blanketing the city without direction or cause. 

With a proven track record of successfully identifying areas of concern, we can expect continued support from the philanthropic community as well as local and national government agencies.

Our application to SOLVE is about more than just being awarded funding.  For us, it is about gaining insight from the greatest minds and talent of our time.  To grow and learn in a way that helps us on our journey to make a difference in the world.  The opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with great thinkers would propel our cause and inspire our team more than any other opportunity. 

This challenge provides a great and unique opportunity to bring our idea to the world stage in a way that we currently could not match.  The idea that we can change the world with technology and strategies already at our fingertips is exciting.  When that is coupled with the notion of partnering with a world renown engine of creativity, it becomes thrilling.  We are all passionate about our idea, but we know it needs more good people, more innovation, and more momentum.  The SOLVE Challenge is our answer to those things.  Specifically, we believe that SOLVE and the access it will provide to global talent has the capacity to elevate our idea.  To make it better.  To make it bigger.  To make it possible for us to play a meaningful role changing the world for the better.  

Although our team is talented, experienced, and driven, we understand that we have limitations.  A primary partnership goal would be to work with someone who could help us maximize use of technology to be as effective as possible in our efforts.  We have some great contributors in this arena, but remain aware that the talent within the SOLVE network would take us to the next level. 

A second partnership goal is to work with someone who would help us to better understand how an effective expansion of GetUSSafe could be executed.  We ultimately intend to bring this solution to the world, but our experience lies primarily in the United States. 

Another partnership goal is to broaden the scope of our marketing and media exposure.  People must be aware of the service we provide and understand how to use it.  We will need to develop this area more as we expand.

GetUSSafe would be thrilled to work with Solve Members like Aira to bring our technology to another set of people who would otherwise not be able to access the needed information in a world where shopping is a life-or death choice.  Aira's work to make the world accessible to the visually impaired is inspiring and exciting.  It would mean a great deal to the team if we were able to reach a set of people that our current design does not touch. 

Supercívicos is another Solve Member we would be thrilled to work with.  They are the type of organization that would bring our technology to Mexico and use their existing base of users to inform those that would otherwise be uninformed.  Their approach to solving their local issues is different but there is synergy with their intent and their achievement is commendable. 

While we appreciate our partnership with Knack to power our technology, it would be eye opening to hear from the MIT Technology Institute about addressing our technological needs with a cutting edge approach.

The idea that there are people and organizations out there, like those mentioned above, who would willingly work with our team to elevate our efforts is extremely motivating.  We would be beyond grateful if this SOLVE Challenge connected us to people, organizations, MIT faculty and/or SOLVE Members who would be willing to improve our initiative and join us in our effort to make the world a safer place.