Google announced yesterday that it is taking multiple initiatives dedicated to helping counter the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-1...
Google announced yesterday that it is taking multiple initiatives dedicated to helping counter the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), in addition to providing useful tips and tools for individuals, teachers and companies to work from home, to help people stay safe and in constant contact.
Here are the most important things that Google provides to help cope with the spread of the Corona virus:
1- Website:
Google is developing a website that introduces the all-new Coronavirus in partnership with the US government and will include best practices for prevention, and information from trusted sources from agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And useful tips and tools from Google for individuals, teachers and companies.
Google announced that it will launch a preliminary version of the site late March 16th, and will make sure to improve it and update it with more resources continuously.
2- Coronavirus testing program:
Alphabet's parent company, Verily, Google's parent company, has launched a website to register US citizens who want to check for the Coronavirus, as the site requires people to fill out an initial questionnaire to determine whether they need to be screened.
According to Verily's official blog, this aims to screen people who are concerned about their possible infection with the virus as directed by public health officials.
The beta test program is currently limited to persons over the age of 18 who are in the Gulf of California region.
3- Providing reliable information in its services:
Google has also started providing useful and reliable information about everything related to the Coronavirus through its various applications and services, such as: Google search engine, Google Maps, and YouTube, and has already started the campaign (Do Five) on the main page of its applications and services on Smartphones and the Web.
It uses the YouTube homepage to direct users to educational videos, materials provided by CDCs, and other public health agencies. While Google Maps and Google search pages will also become important tools to know the places temporarily closed due to coronavirus.
It also provided a special web page displaying any new airline policies regarding cancellations, fees, and more.
4- Combating misinformation:
Google is currently removing any incorrect or false information about the Coronavirus from its various platforms such as: YouTube, Google Maps, Google Play Store, and ads, as it has removed thousands of dangerous, misleading, and promiscuously promoted videos of coronavirus treatment.
While on Google Maps, manual and automated review systems remove fake and harmful content, such as: false reviews, misleading information about health care sites, and a usage policy has occurred to block ads that may attempt to take advantage of an outbreak of the Coronavirus, and also temporarily banned all medical masks and devices Breathing.
5- Providing productivity tools for remote users and students:
Google provided a set of tips and resources for employees and workers in the education sector regarding how to work and study from home, providing the Meet app, which is used to hold free video conferencing to all G Suite customers until July 1, 2020.
For educators around the world, the company introduced new resources for distance learning, including: a set of training materials, a new YouTube learning center, and a series of blogs and webinars.
6- Supporting relief efforts and supporting governmental organizations:
Through its charitable organization Google.org, Google has committed $ 50 million to help contain the global spread of the Coronavirus, focus on health and science, access educational resources and support small businesses.
It also committed $ 5 million in donations to the Corona Virus Solidarity Fund established by the World Health Organization, to help track the spread of the virus, help workers and provide essential supplies and information.
She also awarded a half-million-dollar grant to a team of Boston Children's Hospital researchers, epidemiologists, and developers working on the development of HealthMap, a website displaying recent trends on public health threats and outbreaks.
