One-third (n = 37) of developers were from commercial companies, including innovative companies, engineering companies, and application developers. Nearly two-thirds (n = 70) of applications were developed by individuals. Only 110 software applications were valid for further analysis. Of the 134 software applications on PDIS, 17.9% (n = 24) were excluded due to defect (22), duplicate (1), and unavailability (1). Map-view was defined as screen display with geographic locations (layout of roads, locations of cities and towns, and point of interest) table-view was defined as pages with lists of contracted pharmacies and local health centers along with addresses, but no geographic location displayed (Fig. These four groups were further divided by display mode: map-view, table-view, combination of map-view and table-view, and others (voice user interface and augmented reality). Additionally, all software applications were also divided into four types of platforms: websites, mobile applications, social networking sites (LINE and Facebook messenger chatbot), and others (web application and voice control). Software applications were first categorized by the types of developers: individual, commercial company, governmental organization, and nongovernmental organization (volunteer group). The software applications that were duplicated, defective, or unavailable on the study date were excluded for analysis. We scrutinized all applications and analyzed their types. 8 All the software applications were free of charge to the public. Up until March 15, 2020, the Public Digital Innovation Space (PDIS), under charge of Minister without Portfolio Audrey Tang at Executive Yuan (central government of Taiwan), had recorded 134 software applications displaying face mask availability at 5869 contracted pharmacies and selected local health centers. Such innovations in the use of information technology had also drawn attention from abroad. 5 The open data with updates at three-minute intervals facilitated the development of numerous software applications in a short time (Fig. 6 To avoid lining up and crowd gathering of the citizens, NHIA released real-time information of sales and stock in each sales locations at an interval of three minutes. 6 Each resident could purchase two face masks weekly, and each sales location could offer 400 masks of adult size and 200 of child size daily. 4, 5 Beginning February 6, 2020, face masks were only available in National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) contracted pharmacies and selected local health centers. To regulate the circulation of face masks, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) in Taiwan had taken intense measures to contain the outbreak by banning export, encouraging production, and establishing a name-based rationing system. As the population engaged in panic buying in hopes of combating the viral infection, it soon led to shortage that might consequently jeopardize the healthcare system. The infectious viral disease inevitably incited concerns and drove the demand for protective face masks. 2 These features greatly contributed to its expeditious circulation within the world’s population. 2 COVID-19 was frightening due to its high transmission rate, viral shedding, and the possibility to hide within asymptomatic carriers. 1 This disease was characterized by a wide range of symptoms ranging from dry cough, fever, fatigue, difficulty breathing, bilateral lung infiltration, severe respiratory failure, and even death. Within months, the virus had spread rapidly to thousands of people in neighboring cities and eventually crossed the oceans, extending its reach to over 100 countries worldwide. The world was introduced to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in late December 2019.
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