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Google Medicine

Google Maps Will Soon Show COVID Vaccine Locations (arstechnica.com) 25

New submitter wooloohoo shares a report from Ars Technica: The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine means a ton of people are soon going to be looking for vaccination sites. As usual, Google wants to be at the center of getting people where they're going, and in a new blog post Google says it will start loading Search and Maps with information on vaccination sites. "In the coming weeks," the company writes, "COVID-19 vaccination locations will be available in Google Search and Maps, starting with Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, with more states and countries to come."

Soon you'll be able to search "COVID vaccine" and get location results showing access requirements, appointment information, and if a site has a drive-through. Google says it is partnering with the Boston Children's Hospital's VaccineFinder.org, government agencies, and retail pharmacies for the data. Elsewhere in the Google Empire, the company says it will open up various Google facilities as vaccine sites.
"Google also says it plans on launching a 'Get the Facts' campaign across its services," the report adds. "The post says the initiative will run across Google and YouTube to 'get authoritative information out to the public about vaccines.'"
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Google Maps Will Soon Show COVID Vaccine Locations

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  • I cannot think of anything more retarded to do. You are sent letters of where to go and what time to get the vaccine.

    You do not need this unless you're trying to give people who should not be there, an advantage to disrupt shit.

    or

    "What could possibly go wrong" didn't happen.

    • Great, we can round them up too and deprogram them. At some point people become so stupid that you start cheering for Big Brother.
    • You do not need this unless you're trying to give people who should not be there, an advantage to disrupt shit.

      Vaccine locations are already well publicized, and this isn't happening. Any crowds forming are people wanting vaccine, not protesters. Why do you think Google Maps would suddenly bring them out?

    • You are sent letters of where to go and what time to get the vaccine.

      Wouldn't that be nice. My father (who just became eligible as the state has opened up to the over 75 folks) spent the entire morning today trying to figure out where the hell to go. His doctor, hospital, insurance company, local pharmacy all shrugged their shoulders and said they had no clue. He finally found a place that could book him an appointment after hours of searching.

      or

      Yes, this most definitely is needed.

  • Don't ask questions, and especially not concerning governments' lack of effort to hinder spread by shutting down borders and isolate infecteds.

  • Can't wait for the reviews on Google maps. How many get designated as Illuminati infection centers for spreading the virus? Can Google moderate their reviews?
  • What's the point? (Score:2, Insightful)

    by Dan East ( 318230 )

    This is just a "feel good" publicity stunt. As everyone is totally aware, you don't just show up at a vaccination location and get vaccinated. You have to register (online or calling the facility) first and get scheduled. My grandparents are in their 90s and are amongst the first non-healthcare group allowed to be vaccinated, and they still are having to wait 3 weeks for their appointment. Once you are scheduled you don't just go to the random vaccination center of your choosing - you have to go to the

    • Because right now we're still in the time of not a lot of vaccine and high-risk groups being prioritized. Google is thinking ahead to the coming season of inoculating the general population. Phoenix is already dedicating one entire football stadium to vaccinations.

    • This is just a "feel good" publicity stunt.

      Google employees want to get back to normal as much as everyone else does.

      s everyone is totally aware, you don't just show up at a vaccination location and get vaccinated.

      Which is why, as the summary says:

      Soon you'll be able to search "COVID vaccine" and get location results showing access requirements, appointment information, and if a site has a drive-through.

    • by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

      No good deed unpunished, eh?

  • does USA not publish this information publicly in a central place ?

    google maps already does this for other countries...

    maybe having a uncoordinated approach to testing is part of the problem in the USA...

    • Centralized? Coordinated? Rational? Public healthcare?! Hey, are you some kind a commie big gubbermint socialist or something? Don't tread on me because freedom!
      • You laugh, but things can either belong to you or the government. Every new power for the government is one you lost. Personally, my health, my life, is something I think should belong only to me.

        No government has ever shown me that it can be trusted with my health. Every government has given me cause to believe they are unworthy of the authority they already posses. They do not deserve more, especially not over something that is inherently, inalienably mine. MY health, MY authority, MY responsibili

  • Right now people probably can only get the vaccine if they are invited.. but maybe later people will be able just to walk in. Currently in Israel, you can walk in to some places and get vaccinated (if you belong to the non-pedantic HMO which allows walk-ins) - but this depends on hours and availability. PS: I've already been vaccinated! Yay me.
  • Why didn't they do this 6 months ago?!

    (For some future readers: Whoosh!)
  • Google maps needs just to be traffic and directions. Fuck everything else that app does.

In the long run, every program becomes rococco, and then rubble. -- Alan Perlis

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