COVID-19
Latest
Waymo goes dark except for fully driverless rides
Waymo is joining Uber and Lyft in curtailing its ride services to limit the spread of COVID-19, with a notable exception. The Alphabet-owned company has paused both Waymo One service with human overseers in Phoenix as well as its California self-driving tests in order to protect the "health and safety" of passengers and the community. However, it planned to continue its fully driverless service in Phoenix as well as its UPS delivery services and truck testing, at least "for now." The company believed it could respect local and CDC health guidelines on social isolation with no human drivers involved.
Apple says its retail stores are closed 'until further notice'
Apple may have been optimistic when it said that its stores would be closed until March 27th. The iPhone maker has posted a message on its site telling visitors that its retail locations are "closed until further notice" as it contends with the coronavirus pandemic. We've asked Apple to say if this is a formal extension of its closures, but it's safe to presume that you shouldn't count on picking up some AirPods at the end of the month.
Amazon prioritizes cleaning, medical supply shipments to warehouses
Amazon has had a hard time keeping up with the demand for medical and cleaning supplies -- such as masks and hand sanitizer -- due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to The Wall Street Journal, the company is hoping to increase its supply of such goods by restricting which items its third-party vendors can send to its warehouses. Independent merchants will be unable to ship items other than medical supplies and household staples to Amazon's warehouses and fulfillment centers until April 5th. The company hopes that this strategy will help to "more quickly receive, restock and ship these products to customers," according to a statement sent to vendors.
Medicare expands US telehealth coverage in response to COVID-19
In an effort to keep seniors at home during the coronavirus outbreak, Medicare is expanding coverage for telehealth nationwide. Medicare patients can now connect with doctors and other providers through phone or video. This should allow millions of older adults to seek medical advice without potentially exposing themselves or others to the virus.
Facebook pledges $100 million to small businesses impacted by coronavirus
Until now, Facebook's response to the coronavirus outbreak has focused on fighting the spread of misinformation -- by offering free WHO ads and banning ads that promote false 'cures.' Now, Facebook plans to invest $100 million in 30,000 small businesses in over 30 countries where its employees work and live. Facebook is also giving $1,000 bonuses to each of its employees, CNBC reports.
Health experts explain how we should be cleaning our gadgets
The coronavirus has disrupted our lives in ways both large and small. Multiple organizations have cancelled conferences and events, and various municipalities have instructed residents to practice social distancing and to stay home whenever possible. If there was any kind of upside it's that we're all suddenly a lot more conscious of personal hygiene. Health authorities have advised the public to practice good sanitation practices, such as washing hands with soap, refraining from touching our face and coughing into our elbows. Another way to maintain good hygiene? Keeping our gadgets clean.
Microsoft closes all of its stores due to coronavirus risk
Microsoft is closing its store locations around the world in response to the escalating coronavirus outbreak. In an email to customers, the company said, "We are closing Microsoft Store locations to help protect the health and safety of our customers and employees. During this unprecedented time, the best way we can serve you is to do everything we can to help minimize the risk of the virus spreading." Microsoft also said it will continue to pay employees for their regularly scheduled hours.
Spectrum offers free internet so students can do classwork at home
With school systems across the US closing down in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Spectrum says it will provide free internet access to students who currently don't use its service. The company will install broadband and WiFi in new student households free of charge and provide access for 60 days. The offer is available to families with both K-12 and college students.
Ro aims to bring its online COVID-19 screenings to all of the US this week
If you feel sick and think you might have contracted the COVID-19 virus, one thing you shouldn't do is walk into a clinic without calling ahead. There's a chance of putting healthcare workers and other patients at risk, not to mention yourself if the visit is unnecessary and unplanned. An intermediary online step could help you decide if you need to be tested, though. Ro -- better known for its erectile dysfunction medication program Roman -- set up a system earlier this month that connects patients with physicians to decide on if and how they should be tested. A Ro representative says that the company hopes to make the service available to everyone in the US by the end of the week.
Amazon will hire 100,000 workers to keep up with the surge in demand
To keep up with a "significant increase in demand" due to the coronavirus outbreak, Amazon is hiring an additional 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers in the US. As more people turn to online shopping in an attempt to stay home (and because grocery stores are struggling to keep shelves stocked), Amazon says its labor needs are unprecedented for this time of year.
Uber Eats waives delivery fees for over 100,000 independent restaurants
In response to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the restaurant industry, Uber Eats is waiving delivery fees for over 100,000 independent restaurants across the US and Canada. It's the latest move by gig-economy businesses like Uber, Lyft and Grubhub to help alleviate some of the financial challenges that the coronavirus outbreak presents.
Mint Mobile is giving out free data for the next month amid COVID-19
Ryan Reynolds' wireless carrier of choice is giving out free data to help people in the US cope with the coronavirus epidemic. Until April 14th, you can get free 3GB data packages from Mint Mobile, even if you've never been a customer before.
YouTube will temporarily increase automated content moderation
YouTube will rely more on machine learning and less on human reviewers during the coronavirus outbreak. Normally, algorithms detect potentially harmful content and send it to human reviewers for assessment. But these are not normal times, and in an effort to reduce the need for employees and contractors to come into an office, YouTube will allow its automated system to remove some content without human review.
Google warns Android app reviews may take longer due to coronavirus
Google is warning developers that Play Store app reviews may take longer than usual due to work schedule adjustments, Android Police reports. In a statement, the company cautioned developers to "expect review times of 7 days or longer." This likely applies to both new app submissions and those that trigger a manual review.
Dropkick Murphys will livestream a St. Patrick’s Day show with no audience
The Dropkick Murphys have been playing St. Patrick's Day shows for 24 years. This year the show, like most things, will be a little different. In an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, the band is canceling its regular concert but will livestream a free performance tomorrow at 7pm ET.
Uber offers 14 days of financial assistance to drivers with COVID-19
There have been a lot of questions about how so-called "gig" workers like Uber drivers will be affected by the coronavirus pandemic and what, if anything, companies will do to help. Today, Uber detailed its plan for compensating drivers if they are unable to work because of a COVID-19 diagnosis or a mandated quarantine. In either scenario, Uber will offer its drivers and delivery workers 14 days of financial assistance.
Alphabet's Verily launches coronavirus screening service in California
Verily -- Google's sibling healthcare brand -- has launched a website that will help adults in northern California determine whether they need a test for coronavirus. The "triage" pilot is available to those in Santa Clara Country and San Mateo County, and asks users questions about their recent health and travel. The site will, if necessary, help users obtain a free test.
Apple Card holders can skip March payment due to impact of coronavirus
Following Apple's decision to close all of its retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27th, the company is taking further action in the face of the spreading coronavirus -- it's allowing Apple Card customers to skip March payments without interest.
Israel will use anti-terrorist tracking tech to fight coronavirus outbreak
Israel's attempt to curb the coronavirus outbreak might be the next to jeopardize privacy. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined plans to use anti-terrorism tracking technology to locate people in contact with those carrying the virus. He wasn't specific about the tech besides referencing "digital means" similar to those from Taiwan, but Israel's Shin Bet domestic security service confirmed to Reuters that it was looking at wielding its methods.
FCC gives T-Mobile extra spectrum to cope with demand during coronavirus
T-Mobile pledged to keep people online during the coronavirus outbreak, and it's getting some help from the government to make that happen. The FCC is granting T-Mobile access to more 600MHz spectrum for the next 60 days to help it cope with customer demand for internet access while the pandemic continues. The carrier had asked for the additional airwaves for remote work, education and health care, not to mention the basics of staying in touch while isolated.
