What is @USDResponse? It’s help for governments during this crisis. COVID-19 is already overwhelming the data, digital, and operational capacities of government in a myriad of ways, and we have qualified people who can step in. Here’s a thread with what you need to know. 1/
First, the best way you can help is getting the word to state, local, or federal government. We have over 40 requests so far, but with 1400 volunteers and growing every minute, we may not be able to place most people who raise their hands. 2/
So if you have a connection, particularly in state and local government, send them a note with this website: usdigitalresponse.org. What kinds of things is government asking for that we can provide? One state needs help compiling and managing data that will serve as lead 3/
indicators of the stress on government services, even beyond the healthcare system. Another needs help getting forms for various citizen services online now that offices are closed. Another needs help with logistics in a supply chain crisis. 4/
The City of Concord asked for help getting people to check on homebound seniors, and they already have an online tool ready to go. Many need help modeling the spread of the virus and the impact of interventions. 5/
Everyone needs help with acquiring PPE (personal protective equipment). (More on that in another thread, but the short answer is please send people to projectn95.com!) 6/
Who are we and why should government trust us? We were started by three former US Deputy CTOs (myself, founder of @codeforamerica, @rypan, a lead on hc.gov rescue effort, and @corizarek of @BeeckCenter) and @emdashry, a senior tech leader recently from Stripe. 7/
We know government, we know tech, and we know the power of government services to help the people in our communities. We operate from both experience and respect. 8/
How did this all happen? Just over a week ago I got a call from @dpatil. When I hung up, I was shaken from what I’d heard about the severity of the crisis, and knowing full well how fragile the systems that run our government are, I called @corizarek. 9/
The next day, we connected with @rypan, who was already on the same track. The next day @jj_anastasoff held an online event where reconnected with @emdashry, and remembered that she’d just wrapped up the @AspenPolicyHub fellowship, 10/
and that in the short time I’d gotten to know her, she seemed super awesome. As soon as the launch was over, I sent her an email, and she called immediately. She was in. 11/
After a week of long hours and incredibly fast-paced work, adding new team members every day and, the three of us asked @emdashry if she would be the CEO of this effort. She was in again! 12/
Everyone on our now large team has done the exact same thing. No questions asked. Just “How can I help?” Actually, I think some were just got copied on a meeting invitation and showed up and started working. Some of them include @RobinCarnahan @ashleymmeyers @MereHorowski 13/
@alexallain @embrein @eekedm @eduardoortiz @twephanie @jessunscripted @Lenorelove and more for whom I can't find twitter handles :) We have an amazing team and have a lot to do. It’s incredible to see how so much of the country, not just our team, 14/
is stepping up in this crisis, but I now have a front row seat to three groups in action: the people who’ve volunteered to help government (1200 strong and growing), the amazing public servants who are always handling too much and are now tasked with 15/
managing aging systems and constraining bureaucracy in a time of crisis, and the team working on USDR, which has come together like nothing I’ve ever seen before! Its a scary time but I feel lucky to be surrounded by these remarkable people. /end
