How to Track COVID-19 Trends on Google Maps
I was really hoping Google’s newest integration for Google Maps would allow you to see COVID-19 cases popping up and spreading out on a giant map in the style of Plague, Inc. Alas, it’s not meant to be—but you can at least now see COVID-19 trends directly on Google Maps.
(And, no, this should not be used to help you plan getaways to areas with fewer cases, because you should be staying home and keeping safe like every other smart American.)
To get started, make sure your Google Maps app is updated on your Android or iOS/iPadOS device. Fire up the app, tap on the layers icon in the upper-right corner of your screen (which looks like squares stacked on top of each other), and pick “COVID-19 Info” in the screen that appears:
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to find this information on the browser-based version of Google Maps (for those who prefer to give themselves anxiety at home instead of on-the-go). But you still have plenty of other options to track COVID-19 cases in your area, including the Johns Hopkins University tracker/maps, Reddit’s “covidmapping” mashup, the 1Point3Acres case maps, as well as the (delightfully named) “Infection2020" maps, to name a few.
When Google’s implementation goes live for everyone—it is still rolling out as of this writing—you’ll be able to see seven-day averages for COVID-19 cases for “all 220 countries and territories that Google Maps supports, along with state or province, county, and city-level data where available,” Google writes. COVID trends will be easy to spot and color-coded, useful if you just need a quick visual reminder that your home turf is getting better (or worse).
While a little more information never hurt anybody, I wouldn’t count on this new feature moving the needle for those who refuse to wear masks. You could superimpose a big fat “you’re dumb” on top of their house in Google Maps and they’d just give it a friendly wave while heading off on a mini-vacation with their friends.
Stay safe; stay vigilant. Tell stupid people how their poor decisions are needlessly endangering all of our lives. And please, please do not use Google’s data to plan a quick trip to a “safer” location. You’re better than that.
RECOMMENDED NEWS
Here's What's Coming With Audible's New Plus Plans
Audible announced an all-new pricing structure that will be rolling out to all exi...
Why Won't Windows Recognize My Android Phone?
You have an Android. Check. You have a computer. Check, check. You want to connect...
How to Fix a 'Text Bomb' Crashing WhatsApp
A recently discovered vulnerability with WhatsApp—and I use that term more loose...
How to Switch Your 'Fortnite' Apple Login Before You Lose Access
Update 9/10/20, 2:00 p.m. (PT): Since we published this, Apple has given Epic Game...
Try These New Drivers for GeForce RTX 3080 Crashes
When you spend hundreds of dollars on a top-of-the-line graphics card, the last th...
How to Create a Countdown Widget in iOS 14
There are plenty of apps you can use to make countdown widgets on iOS 14. Don’t ...
Comments on "How to Track COVID-19 Trends on Google Maps" :