Facebook launches map to help identify coronavirus hot spots early

Most surveys on Facebook are pointless. This one might end up saving lives.

Facebook has partnered with researchers at Carnegie Mellon University to build a map meant to track symptoms and potentially predict coronavirus hot spots. Mark Zuckerberg announced the effort in a Washington Post op-ed, writing "We’re hopeful that this will help governments and public health officials around the world who might not otherwise have this kind of precise data to make decisions in the weeks and months ahead."

Here's how it works. Facebook has been showing a survey to users within the social network. Users can take this survey if they want to — it's entirely voluntary. They'll answer questions about whether they're experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, such as cough or fever.  Read more...