Google's coronavirus website is finally live: Details here
When US President Trump boasted about Google's coronavirus screening website, the company was quick to clarify that it was actually Verily, its sister company, working on the platform. However, the internet giant did not refute the President entirely and announced its own coronavirus site - a platform aimed at providing important information/resources related to the disease. Now, that second site has gone live.
Google's dedicated site for COVID-19 information
The new Google website - accessed via google.com/covid19 - provides useful resources to fight the novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease it causes. You can visit the platform, created in Google-specific card-based format, to learn all about the disease, starting from how it spreads and can be prevented to search trends related to COVID-19 and resources to aid quarantined individuals, educators, and affected businesses.
Information sourced from "authoritative" sources
Google says that all the information provided through the site has been sourced from "authoritative" sources like the WHO and the CDC. Plus, it also offers feel-good videos to help you relax in self-quarantine, as well as a global map highlighting confirmed cases of coronavirus in different countries, including India. There is also an option to donate and support WHO-led coronavirus relief efforts.
No information on testing sites
The new site is handy, especially for those who want reliable information on the global pandemic, but it doesn't provide information on the nearest testing locations, not even in the US. At the time of writing, it only offers US users links to the health departments of various states - instead of places where one can go to get themselves tested.
Verily is helping with the testing work
The element of testing is being handled by Verily but on a small scale. The company has built a screening site that assesses patient symptoms and suggests a nearby testing location, if needed. However, it only works in the San Francisco Bay area.
Search results have also been tweaked
Notably, some information cards from the new website, including those noting disease symptoms and affected areas, will also appear on Google Search. They would appear when you search for something related to coronavirus, helping you stay updated on the situation of the outbreak and the precautions needed to prevent its contraction or transmission.
