High school students ready to fight the coronavirus with drones

With the coronavirus spreading fast, some countries are testing out drones in their fight against the pandemic. India has used drones to spray crowded areas with disinfectant, while Chinese cities have used them to enforce lockdowns. Here in Taiwan, a group of young drone pilots say they''re ready to use their skills to help contain the outbreak. A drone equipped with loudspeakers barks out an order to the crowd: Put on your face mask. This handy tool is one of the many drones in this room, where students are showing off their skills. At Taipei’s Taibei High School, a drone pilot school teaches teens how to fly drones. This year, they were taught how to use drones for public health missions. Today the drones whizz about, making loud announcements. They allow supply delivery without the risk of viral transmission. Chen Chien-yu Taibei High School headmaster We introduced some very important epidemic control missions. To show them how drones can be used to combat the coronavirus. Drones can help people complete tasks without having to come into close contact with others. Since the outbreak began, many countries have explored the use of drones. China has drones equipped with cameras to patrol the streets and issue warnings, sometimes to humorous effect. The drone is close behind this woman out and about, telling to go home. In Spain and Italy, drones have been used to enforce lockdown. In India, drones have been deployed to spray disinfectant. Police in Tainan have also come up with a new use for drones. Police have used them to quickly deliver goods to people in home isolation. Drones are proving a useful ally in the fight against the epidemic. Students at Taibei Senior High say they’re ready to step up if Taiwan ever requires their piloting skills.