The world's most recognizable web search engine, software developer, and technology company, Google, LLC, will soon roll an update that will bring a new feature on Google Maps, featuring the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 statistics and case counts of an area. Google envisions its Map application to give people an idea regarding COVID-cases in a room.
Google, LLC has been working to provide the world COVID-19 updates and news through the search function that prioritizes the coronavirus's statistics and update in the user's respective area. Google's efforts have helped provide the world online safety and aid through the information that focuses on helping people with the current global crisis.
Google
Now, Google adds another safety feature for the public that concerns travel and transportation through Google Maps. According to Google's blog post, the update wil soon roll out anytime this week, showing off a "COVID Layer" that can be toggled and used whenever a user wishes to do so.
The new COVID-layer will help users to determine which places have a considerable number of cases and may opt to stay away from there. This feature will be a safety and assistive aid from Google, who will gather all the information and statistics present in the world and area the company aims to provide.
The all-new Google Maps aims to help people navigate through the 'new normal' that currently still has restrictions and limitations when it comes to traveling from one place to another. Google promises to give relevant alerts that it has gathered from authorities, to provide users an idea about the place they are headed.
Google will make the update available using the 'COVID Layer' option in the map application's upper-right hand corner. The 'COVID-19 Info' tool will display the areas' seven-day coronavirus cases per 100,000 people. The trending statistics will also be shown, giving the users knowledge of whether a rising or falling case is happening in an area.
The tech company also promises to show color-coded statistics that will help users to distinguish and know the severity of a case in an area. Google boasts that it will provide data for the 220 countries that the company supports, adding several local cities and provincial data on the application.
Will COVID Layer be Discriminative for Google Maps?
Google Blog
Google Maps' new update aims to provide users with sufficient data and information whenever they travel and journey in the 'new normal.' However, pressing concerns still arise when discrimination affects the data and statistics offered by Google.
Discrimination cannot be helped when providing COVID-19 statistics regarding a particular place. People who are unaffected or safe from the virus will tend to look down on the areas with vast cases. This new feature by Google will be used for different purposes and should only be intended for everyone's safety and well-being.
Google's data and pursuit of providing an application that aids the 'new normal' and the world through this global pandemic should be used wisely and cautiously. Travel restrictions are still observed in some states or cities to slow the spread of the virus.
