Google searches from April 2019 reveal Americans were interested in ‘Game of Thrones’, how to tie a tie and solving a Rubik’s cube, now people’s focus has shifted as their lives have been upended by the coronavirus.
The Washington Post compared searches from April 2020 to the same time last year, showing people are more concerned with how to make a mask and hand sanitizer, along with how to file unemployment.
Although the pandemic has sparked a need for necessities, some things have stayed consistent including how to take screenshots, delete Instagram and boil eggs.
The searchers also highlight how people are using their free time during the coronavirus lockdowns – some are making French toast, learning to draw and watching the latest shows on Netflix.
Some 340 million Americans have been impacted by the coronavirus, which continues to spread across the nation – there are than 771,000 cases and over 41,000 deaths in the US.
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The Washington Post compared searches from April 2020 to the same time last year, showing people are more concerned with how to make a mask and hand sanitizer, along with how to file unemployment. Some things have stayed the same including how to take screenshots
The Washington Post has conducted its own investigation into how the country has changed since the virus made landfall earlier this year.
The most common ‘how to’ searches from April 2019 from the 5th to the 11th included ‘Train Your Dragon 3’, take a screen shot, tying a tie and drawing.
Fast forward a year later and Americans are asking the platform how to make a mask and hand sanitizer, boiling eggs, but they are still not sure how to take screenshots on their smartphones.
The report also shows how to file for unemployment was at the top of the list earlier this month, as more than 22 million Americans have lost their jobs due to the shutdown of business across the country.
Where ‘is my tax refund’ was the most searched this month, which could be a result of the unemployment rate. It also includes where to locate necessities such as cloth face masks and toilet paper, as many states require residents to wear masks and there is a shortage of the bathroom tissue across the nation
In the same week last year, people were asking google where ‘am I’, ‘is my tax refund’ and ‘is Auburn University’.
Also to make the list was the Final four, the basketball playoffs that take place in April.
However, this search was not on the list this month, as all American sports have been suspended until further notice.
Where ‘is my tax refund’ was the most searched this month, which could be a result of the unemployment rate.
It also includes where to locate necessities such as cloth face masks and toilet paper, as many states require residents to wear masks and there is a shortage of the bathroom tissue across the nation.
People are also searching for lighter topics such as where ‘is Joe Exotic now’, who is the star of the popular Netflix series ‘Tiger King.’
And asking where are the Ozarks, another show on Netflix that experienced a spike in viewership during the coronavirus lockdowns.
An unusual problem has been created by the coronavirus – Americans do not know what day it is, with the joke spread across the internet that each day of the week is just ‘day.’
Some 340 million Americans have been impacted by the coronavirus, which continues to spread across the nation – there are than 771,000 cases and over 41,000 deaths in the US
Google searchers from April 2019 reveal Americans were interested in ‘Game of Thrones’, how to tie a tie and solving a Rubik’s cube, now people’s focus has shifted as their lives have been upended by the coronavirus
However, the searchers show that they were still asking Google the same question last year.
Most of this year’s searchers involve how the coronavirus has escalated in the US.
Americans are staying up-to-date with the number of cases and deaths, but they are also searching how many people are in the US, how many died on 9/11 and how many die in the country daily.
Last month the death toll climbed past 3,000, and reports said the outbreak was more deadly than the September 11 terrorist attacks that killed 2,977, which could be why people are interested in comparing the pandemic to that fateful day.
WHO says lifting virus lockdowns too quickly could spark ‘deadly resurgence’
A hasty lifting of restrictions imposed to control the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to a fatal resurgence of the new coronavirus, the World Health Organization has warned.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was working with countries on ways in which lockdowns could be gradually eased, but said doing so too quickly could be dangerous.
‘I know that some countries are already planning the transition out of stay-at-home restrictions. WHO wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone,’ he told a virtual press conference in Geneva.
‘At the same time, lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence. The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly.
‘WHO is working with affected countries on strategies for gradually and safely easing restrictions.’
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, pictured during a news conference, has warned that lifting coronavirus restrictions too quickly could result in a resurgence
The global death toll has now passed 100,000, and more than 1.6 million infections have been recorded globally since the virus first emerged in China in December.
Tedros welcomed signs that the spread of the virus was slowing in some of the hardest-hit countries in Europe – namely Spain, Italy, Germany and France.
But he also warned of an ‘alarming acceleration’ of the virus in some countries, highlighting Africa, where he said the virus was beginning to spread to rural areas.
‘We are now seeing clusters of cases and community spread in more than 16 countries’ on the continent, he said.
‘We anticipate severe hardship for already overstretched health systems, particularly in rural areas, which normally lack the resources of those in cities.’
Tedros also sent his best wishes to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been moved out of intensive care as he battles the coronavirus.