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Google has launched several different tools related to the global Coronavirus pandemic to help people find out more accurate information about the disease, its spread, prevention, government lockdowns and more. Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has dominated not only the news and our conversations but also searches on Google.
So Google has introduced a new website, a new Coronavirus search results page, and a Coronavirus search trends page on Google Trends. Each of these can provide helpful information as the world struggles to battle this pandemic.
Google Coronavirus/COVID-19 Website
On Saturday, Google announced the launch of its COVID-19 Information & Resources page with information about Coronavirus. The home page of Google’s new site has links to COVID-19 websites for the World Health Organization websites and different countries. You can also get other information including safety and prevention tips, instructional videos, and more. Discover resources on topics such as working from home, online learning, and ways to cope with stress.
This page also gives information about Google’s pledge of $50 million to the global COVID-19 response and directs you to how you can donate to the U.N. Foundation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Other sections of the new website include:
- Health Information
- Safety & Prevention Tips
- Data & Insights
- Resources to help
- Support relief efforts
- Latest from Google’s blog
Google’s Coronavirus/COVID-19 website launched on Saturday in the U.S. and will be expanding to other countries within the next few days.
=> Also see 12 Ways Tech Can Help with Social Distancing
Google Coronavirus/COVID-19 Search Results
Google is organizing search results for “Coronavirus” and”COVID-19″ to help you more easily find information on the pandemic. See news stories, search trends, commonly asked questions, government resources, information about the disease, and more. Get links to information about the disease, and see the latest tweets from health authorities.
The search results page also shows statistics of the spread of the virus around the world in list and maps views and can direct you to the closest hospital.
The updated search results format will be rolled out first in English in the U.S. and later in other languages and countries.
Google Trends
You can also find helpful information about Coronavirus searches on Google Trends. Check out the new Coronavirus Search Trends section on Google Trends to see how searches related to the virus have changed over time.
For a deeper dive into Google Trends Coronavirus section, check out => How Google Trends Can Help Guide You During the Coronavirus Pandemic
View the most popular search terms globally, by country, or locally. See how interested each region is in certain search terms.
This Google Trends map shows the search interest in “Coronavirus” around the world in the past day:
This map from Google Trends shows the search interest in “Coronavirus” in different metro regions in the United States for the past day:
This map from Google Trends shows the search interest for “Coronavirus” by state for the past day:
Google Trends also shows popular searches related to the prevention of Coronavirus spread:
And you can check out the most searched terms related to lockdowns for the past week:
What Google Doesn’t Have
Contrary to what was previously announced in a press conference by the U.S. government, Google does not have a website with a symptom checker that directs you to the closest U.S. testing site if you are having symptoms of Coronavirus.
Verily, a sister company of Google, launched Project Baseline last week that helps people learn whether they are eligible for Coronavirus testing.
Project Baseline collects user’s data to help study the spread of the virus and you must create an account to access the website’s features.
Verily’s Project Baseline is currently available only in California in:
- Santa Clara County
- San Mateo County
Other Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources
Other sources for Coronavirus/CPVOD-19 data include:
- Microsoft’s Bing COVID-19 website with updated statistics, worldwide and local mapping, and links to news stories
- Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center with updated statistics, worldwide and local maps, charts and graphs
- John Burn-Murdoch Twitter account with daily graphs showing updates of the Coronavirus trajectory. Burn-Murdoch is a statistician and reporter for the Financial Times.
Your Thoughts
Do you find Google’s resources helpful in learning more information about Coronavirus? Do you find search term data on Google Trends informative? What other Coronavirus/COVID-19 resources would you suggest Wonder of Tech readers check out?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
I haven’t seen this yet. I think it would be very helpful and also something I would have to ration myself with checking/not reading it in the evenings to help with any covid19 anxiety.
Hi Suchot, Good point. If we have too much time on our hands, we may check these sites excessively. Best to limit yourself so you don’t get overwhelmed by the data.
Hi Carolyn
Always nice when the big companies take responsibility in crisis like this. I just had a look at Bings COVID-19 website. It really make you realise how fast this spread all over the world right now. I guess we just all will have to stay home until this is getting under control.
#StayHomeStaySafe
Best regards
Thomas
Hi Thomas, Yes, the Bing map is extremely helpful in visualizing how this virus is spreading throughout the world. And the rapid spread is petrifying so we need to be aware of what is happening. These resources can help us do that and find the resources we need for social distancing.
I hope you and your family are able to stay safe and healthy, Thomas.
Hi, Good point. It really make you realise how fast this spread all over the world right now. I guess we just all will have to stay home until this is getting under control.
Hi Omit, Yes, the virus continues to spread quickly across the world and the best way to combat it is to stay at home and not risk becoming infected. I hope these resources are helpful to you.
the rapid spread is petrifying so we need to be aware of what is happening. These resources can help us do that and find the resources we need for social distancing.
Hi Ava, Yes, the spread of the virus is petrifying and the best defense we have is to stay at home to avoid being infected. I’m glad you found these resources to be helpful to you.
Exactly I agree with you,we should maintain social distancing and stay home. And this the time to show our humanity.
Hi Jamat, Good point. We should maintain social distancing to protect ourselves, our loved ones, medical staff, emergency responders, and the community at large from spreading the virus.
A good thing to do during the global outbreak of a deadly virus is to test people who think they may have it. Beyond providing important information to people affected by the disease, large-scale testing allows authorities to map the spread of the disease and respond accordingly.
#StayHomeStaySafe
Best regards
Renee Clark
Hi Renee, Great point. The countries that had widespread testing available for citizens immediately have been much more successful in containing the virus and lowering death rates than the countries that didn’t.