Google Maps’ new COVID feature was unveiled last week, allowing users to see pertinent COVID data for the map they are looking in Google Maps.
How to see Google Maps’ COVID Data
When opening the app on your smartphone, click on the layers button on the top right-hand corner of your device. Once that pops up, click on COVID-19 data. The app will then show a seven-day average of COVID cases per 100,000 for the area of the map that you are looking at. It will also show an arrow-like indicator right next to the number of cases per 100,000 to indicate whether cases are trending in the upward or downward direction.
The COVID-19 data on the Google Maps app comes from three different data recording sources, including Johns Hopkins University, the New York Times, and Wikipedia. These outlets get their numbers directly from organizations such as big hospital networks, the World Health Organization, and other forms of credible number reporting.
This is the first navigation map to show COVID data on their app, giving Google Maps a distinct edge over its competitors of Waze and Apple Maps. Having COVID data on a map could help travelers make a determination on whether or not they want to travel to the destination they are looking at visiting. Furthermore, it could give more companies and organizations the ability to make more real-time decisions, such as canceling or postponing events in a certain area.
This is just the latest step in technology in a year where tech companies have had to innovate in more ways than ever due to an unprecedented pandemic. Apple introduced additional health measures in its new products, most notably the Apple Watch that has new monitors to measure different kinds of heart issues and detect problems at an early stage. These steps are being taken to give consumers more information to make a decision based on their daily lives and how they want to go about them. With Google unveiling their maps feature, expect a response from both Waze and Apple Maps with COVID features of their own. In the Tech world, the one latest to the game loses the race.
We hope this information on Google Maps’ new COVID Feature is helpful to you.
Empower Brokerage is dedicated to helping you educate your clients on the insurance they need and staying on top of their health. Whether it’s through webinar training, one-on-one calls, seminars, or marketing plans. We want you to be successful. Give us a call if you have any questions 888-539-1633.
Quick Links:
• Get Customized Marketing Materials
Jeffrey is a graduate from the University of North Texas and joined the Empower Brokerage marketing team in 2020. He is the social media manager for empower brokerage, in addition to writing blogs and doing various campaigns. LinkedIn profile
