A note to our community

[mchomsky]

 Caption: A screenshot of a Google search bar with the words “coronavirus update” with other suggested search terms listed below.

To our dedicated Local Guides, we realize the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting you and your communities in different ways. We know you love to explore your world and share your experiences, but your safety comes first. Please prioritize your health above all else.

We realize this situation has an impact on your activity as Local Guides and are committed to giving our community a sense of togetherness during this time. In the spirit of keeping us all connected, I wanted to share some additional information on how Google is helping and highlight a few ways we're working to keep you informed.

1. On the Google homepage, we’re promoting the “Do the Five” campaign to raise awareness of simple measures people can take to slow the spread of the virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
2. Our SOS Alert in Google Search connects people with the latest news plus safety tips and links to more authoritative information from the WHO.
3. Google Maps will continue to surface helpful and reliable location information. In the coming days, we’ll make it possible for businesses to easily mark themselves as “temporarily closed” using Google My Business.

We know you are probably wondering if this will have an effect on Connect Live. At this time, Connect Live applications are still open through March 30 and we are keeping a close eye on the evolving global situation.

Many of you have also asked about meet-ups. We recommend following guidance and regulations from authorities in your area and switching to remote meet-ups. Instead of meeting in person, we encourage you to host virtual meet-ups using a platform like Hangouts. 

We’re also rolling out new features on Connect in the coming weeks to make it even easier to stay in contact remotely. If you would like to receive updates from our Announcements board in your inbox, we have information on how you can subscribe.

We hope all of you stay healthy and safe during this time. 

[ricky3]

in my home country uganda, we've been able to register on 2 deaths since the pandemic begun. thanx to the government and the COVID task force for following all the preventive measures and also the presidential directives.

[Rojito88]

Muchas gracias,

[rajanperumpully]

@mchomsky 

I am from Thrissur (kerala, India) 

from March we are in troble.  many people have lost their jobs.  I also simbly sitting in my house.  In kerala also death rate is increasing.  Our state government doing maximum help for people.  eventhough covid cases are increasing.  

So,  am at home.  I have to say only one thing that - keep yourselfs. 

thankyou 

[Jepth]

En tant qu'infirmier, j'ai été contaminé par le Covid 19. Mais j'ai survécu. J'ai longtemps aidé les gens à surmonter cette pandémie. Une des choses les plus réconfortante était de dire à les patients de penser fort aux gens qui comptent pour eux. Ma qualité de local guide m'a manqué pendant ce confinement. Et donc ja'i décidé de filmer tous endroits que je vais parcourir ainsi je pourrait les revivre en cas de confinement comme je l'ai fait grâce a local guide de Google. Je me suis connecté ce jour après des long mois de bataille et ce message d'annonce Ma redonnée du baule au coeur. Ah oui je ne suis pas le seul survivant, ah oui nous sommes nombreux a avoir surmonté cette épreuve.

Cher Local guide, le combat n'est pas terminé, respectons les mesures barrières et si confinement il y a encore chez vous, filmé depuis la fenêtre vos levé et couché de Soleil et partagez avec nous. We are a famille

 

[AngieYC]

Halo @Newsbaroeceh,

Mohon lihat post ini dari Kepala Local Guides. Saya akan menggabungkan post kamu kedalam post tersebut untuk menyambungkan kamu dengan Local Guides lain yang juga membahas mengenai topik yang sama, sekaligus untuk menjaga kerapihan Connect. Terima Kasih.

[Dr_AlwyPaul]

Cheers to all the healthcare workers who are on the frontlines of battling the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We are all in this together. With lots of love and prayers to all from Philippines. Any fellow guides from Las Pinas please comment

 

[InaS]

Hello @Dr_AlwyPaul,

Please see this post from the Head of Local Guides. I'm also merging your post into that thread to connect you with other Local Guides discussing the same topic while keeping Connect organized.

Thank you!

[AngieYC]

Hello @BigE444,

Please see this post from the Head of Local Guides. I'm also merging your post into that thread to connect you with other Local Guides discussing the same topic while keeping Connect organized.Thank you.

Please keep in mind that Idea Exchange is a place on Connect for Local Guides to share their feedback and ideas with our team to tell us about a way to improve the Local Guides program.

To learn more about the Idea Exchange, you can read this article How do I use the Idea Exchange?

[Dr_AlwyPaul]

Thank you so much @InaS 

And can you help me find a local guide from Las Pinas, Metro Manila, Philippines please. So that I can keep contact

[1المرشد]

Covied 19 ازمه كبيره حققها فيروس كورونا ..وعطله كبيره للمسافرين والمغتربين..نرجوا السرعه في فتح أبواب الحجز للسفر لمزدوجي الجنسيه علي الاقل,الوقت بيعدي بسرعه وعاوزين نسافر نامن مستقبلنا,حماده

[Ivancanencia]

If so happen that you travel to a new place. Please check if the area reuiqiires a check point, quarantines passed, if public transport is available but lomited, restaurant new normal protocol( take out, dine in, cashless payment, delivery options), accomodatoons and leasure facolities restrictions. This will help the mobility and comfoŕt of the traveller while they are on travel..

[VeroD18]

Muchas gracias me es de mucha ayuda esa información 

[NILUFA73]

Nice post @1المرشد i

Thank you.

[InaS]

Hi @Dr_AlwyPaul,

Thank you for reaching out. If you search in Connect for mentions of the city/country, you'll find posts that have that name in the title, body of the post, or the location tag. Feel free to jump into these conversations, engage with the Local Guides near you. You can have a look at this article How do I search on Connect?.

[Billy4588]

Like every one i was hospitalized in quarantine due to symptom of COVID-19 detected positive that's what i analyzed sharing to you: 

1- Everything are under control is in the hand of something special

2- Above all, our own loves important most

3- Human's greatest truth is his loneliness when nobody cares him 

Remedy to save from Covid-19: 

1- Positive thinking adds positive blood to your body, which has the power to fight any disease 

[AngieYC]

Hello @Billy4588,

Please see this post from the Head of Local Guides. I'm also merging your post into that thread to connect you with other Local Guides discussing the same topic while keeping Connect organized.

To learn more about the Idea Exchange, you can read the article How do I use the Idea Exchange?

[arby]

AM Abdul Kaddu from Uganda aged 38 .The corona virus has affected many businesses we have been under strict lockdown with strict measures put to minimise any form of movement of cars  especially private cars and public transports In my country the public transport was halted and private means were strictly minimized to the extent that you had to acquire a movement permit with an emergency or serious reasoning permitting you to move with your car Only people with truck cars carrying cargo building material agricultural produce were allowed to move and cyclists It was during this period that i had to use a bicycle like many other Ugandans to move from one location to another and to meet my clients as well either from their homes or an agreed place During this period i took some photos for the local guides and posted some but movement hasn't been easy We are still blessed that our country has just started getting covid -19 related deaths this month and they haven't reached 10 people we are observing social distancing measures though a lot has to be done since our country is nearing the campaigns and election season for 2021 electionsnasser road covid -19 ride around town

[DrSurinderDogra]

1. 

 As a human being it our duty to not only to think about own health and stomach , bot to also think about the society where we live. During Covid pendamic I took online classes of Doctors and other health workers and thus contributed my role.Ministry of health appreciated my efforts

[fasi6083]

Riding bicycle to work is a wonderful way to boost the body immune system and for staying fit and active. Here in Saudi Arabia, curfew was placed with restricted movements during the months April-June.  Things are coming back to normalcy but still we see ~1000 covid19 cases daily @arby 

[AdamGT]

Hi @arby 

It's far better to have strict lockdown with strict measures to minimise any form of movement than to have a major health issue in your country like that experienced by a number of other countries.

[arby]

oh so sorry about that our movements were limited and also put under curfew from 7 pm i remember ma worst day i got a big order but couldn't deliver because of lack of transportation and i had to forget all about making profits and focused on making ma client happy and i hired a truck since there allowed to move.It costed me all that i had to earn as profit but i had no option but deliver please pardon ma late reply i was a bit caught up how is saudi arabia?its one of the countries i wanna go to before i die God willing

[arby]

I completely agree with you my brother we have had covid cases but only testing positive as per test kits but no one showing symptoms we are still blessed that it is not yet serious in our country thank God because given our poor health sector i dont think we can survive what happened in US and Italy

[arby]

hello dear i need your help_i have really failed to upload videos is it happening to u too?

[arby]

Government Of Uganda masksJust a few months back the Government of Uganda gave out free food inclusive of posho and beans to people in the central region that is Kampala and Wakiso district and i was lucky to be given as well however this time last week the government of Uganda announced to distribute 2000 masks to Ugandans despite the fact that we are over 40million Ugandans but this weekend i was among the luck 2000 to get masks for me and my two children _its not much or upto standard but am appreciative and feel lucky there marked GOU meaning Government Of Uganda

[PaulPavlinovich]

It is good that the government is supplying masks @arby 

[AngieYC]

Hello @LUTHORAndrew,

Please see this post from the Head of Local Guides. I'm also merging your post into that thread to connect you with other Local Guides discussing the same topic while keeping Connect organized.

To learn more about the Idea Exchange, you can read the article How do I use the Idea Exchange?

[Giu_DiB]

Hi @arby,

Welcome to Connect and thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! The Achievements section is meant to host the accomplishments related to Google Maps or the Local Guides program itself.

To connect you with other Local Guides discussing the same topic while keeping Connect organized, I'm merging your posts into A note to our community shared by the Head of Local Guides.

To know more about the community and its topics, I suggest you read Your guide to Connect. Thanks 🙂

[Giu_DiB]

Hi @DrSurinderDogra,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! To connect you with other Local Guides discussing the same topic while keeping Connect organized, I'm merging your posts into A note to our community shared by the Head of Local Guides.

To know more about the community and its topics, you can also read Your guide to Connect. Thanks 🙂

[AMY77]

COVID-19 is restricting life these days and this is very unfortunate. Do the five campaign and other helpful material being shared by Google is helping the community in its own way. Even my area is affected very much by COVID 19 these days. Time to keep yourself stay safe and healthy is the priority of every mankind. I hope everyone stay calm and follow the instructions given by the local and national administration. Thanks 

[shima_shahabfar]

hi everyone (:

I wanted to share something that I thought might be helpful for you as well:

today I woke up with terrible feeling; I realized that we've been in lock down nearly 6 months! the worst part is that I always thought if I had extra months and I had the ability to freeze everybody around me, I could be super-productive and do all of the things that I've had postponed but when I've been given this whole 6 months all to myself, things didn't go they way I thought it might and that really pissed me off.

I was so arrogant that I told everybody in our house not to talk to me for one day because I didn't want to behave in a way that i regret later so everybody did as I told them to.

I did something nice to my little brother by giving him the portable game counsel that he always wanted; not only because to cheer him up but also for my own well being and for reminding myself that there are small things that can make instant gratitude and hope(like seeing joy and happiness sparkles in his eyes)

!

I know it's really hard... I know many of you are experiencing tough situations but do your self a favor and show a small but noticeable act of kindness to your loved ones and I guarantee that you'll feel better 

#stay_safe

#wear_a_mask

[about photo: I love making cranes and I find Origami very comforting]

[Mayou972]

Soyez fort, après la pluie viens le beau temps. Il est vrai que ce moment est difficile à vivre pour pratiquement tout le monde mais il faut s'accrocher et surtout ne pas se laissé abattre. Et malgré tout n'hésitez pas à communiquer car il n'y a pas plus important que des échanges dans ces moments d'enfermement et de solitude 

[Giu_DiB]

Hi @shima_shahabfar,

Thanks for sharing your advice with us! To keep Connect more organized while connecting you with other Local Guides discussing the same topic, I'm merging your posts with A note to our community shared by the Head of Local Guides.

If you want to know more about the forum, you can read Your guide to Connect. 🙂

[renata1]

Danas je u Hrvatskoj najgori dan od pojave koronavirusa.

Najviše oboljelih u 24 sata ☹️☹️

Jako loše i zabrinjavajuće...

[fasi6083]

@shima_shahabfar Yes you are right, the small act of kindness can make the biggest impact.

[Vprakashchat]

Absolutely contagious condition of India became the hub of viruses spreading over on 4th stage in Varanasi sir that's showed the W. H. O. reported the every day all world suffered from pandemic corona viruses connected to every part of Varanasi City located area as every sector may be possibly called the community spread over in contagious level of the present situation is going critical condition for everyone who lives in Varanasi that some people are just so the not reporting for covid care unit bcsthey afraid to admit in isolation center is became full further noticed the no bed ableble here on on paper maintaining the same report by computerised system strongly doing here duty rare in case will be positive they helped by God returned the home in future it's no response of health department. Thanks 

[agreembookingtavel]

Lock down start from 17th August 2020 in Siddharthanagar,Nepal 

[MashaPS]

Hi @agreembookingtavel.

Please see this post from the Head of Local Guides. I'm also merging your post into that thread to connect you with other Local Guides discussing the same topic while keeping Connect organized.

Thank you.

[BiwottGideon]

How has the Covid-19 affected you, your loved one and friends. For me it hit more that at the door. Due to Covid-19 we've lost our means of livelihood. Share your story to encourage a sister or a brother with the same situation.

[Giu_DiB]

Hello @BiwottGideon, 

Please see this post from the Head of Local Guides. I'm also merging your post into that thread to connect you with other Local Guides discussing the same topic while keeping Connect organized.

To know more about the community and its topics, I suggest you read Your guide to Connect. Thanks 🙂

[Emonwishow]

I think during this pandemic people are getting boared 

So the only way they can get rid of it

Make sure about their health consiousnes and travel safely

[MAHBUB_HYDER]

Good thing my friend @Emonwishow 

Safety first my friend for all !

Have a nice day 🤩🌹🌹

Here is my recent post  

[Emonwishow]

Yes

As I consider myself

[MAHBUB_HYDER]

Hi @Emonwishow 

Thanks for your reply 🤝👍👍

By the way have you seen my recent posts my dear?

Here is my recent post  

[Giu_DiB]

Hello @Emonwishow,

Please see this post from the Head of Local Guides. I'm also merging your post into that thread to connect you with other Local Guides discussing the same topic while keeping Connect organized.

To know more about the community and its topics, I suggest you read Your guide to Connect. Thanks 🙂

[Annclass61]

 Starting everyday needs

are 6feet from me please.

Keeping the wayside free standing away and sharing the distance.

[BorrisS]

Hello @Annclass61,

Thank you for sharing this photo with us. I've seen several similar signs in covered commercial areas, supermarkets and mall.

Please see this post from the Head of Local Guides. I'm also merging your post into that thread to connect you with other Local Guides discussing the same topic while keeping Connect organized.

[lb3nidad1016]

 An afternoon walk after a long day is a good exercise 🙂 to keep us Fit and Healthy.. Well ever since the pandemic occurs, people just stayed at home to be safe. but this can lead to depression.  Thus, finding time where people are less outside is a good opportunity to schedule a walking exercise. Walking releases stress, stimulates blood circulation and of course its a healthy habit. We just have to remember all the necessary precautions to avoid being infected with Corona Virus.

[Nyainurjanah]

hey @lb3nidad1016  i really really agree with your thought 

corona virus is danger but too much stay at home without activity also is same dangerous ,so we need some fresh air or just walking around home and looking for interesting place near home via google maps 

i really hope the pandemic over gone 

[AngieYC]

Hello @lb3nidad1016,

Please see this post from the Head of Local Guides. I'm also merging your post into that thread to connect you with other Local Guides discussing the same topic while keeping Connect organized. Thank you.

[lb3nidad1016]

Corona V is affects vast aspect in our lives.. meeting with families, schedule of vacations, business, health and more to mention.. hopefully there will be an effective vaccine for this virus that could protect us all. Soon