VOA慢速英语--Facebook,Google发布数据工具帮助抵抗冠状病毒的传播.

Facebook, Google Launch¹ New Tools to Gather Virus Data

Facebook and Google have launched² new tools to gather data on population movements in an effort to fight the spread of the new coronavirus.

Facebook said in a statement it has created new "disease³ prevention maps" designed to help researchers identify areas where the virus COVID-19 might spread next.

The information is based on data from users⁵ of the social media service. But Facebook says the user⁴ data will be processed without any personal information being shared. Facebook said its data is designed to provide information about general movements in and around cities, but not the activities of single individuals.

One of the Facebook tools is called a "co-location map." It aims to use data to predict the probability⁶ that people in one area will come in contact with people in another.

Another map is meant to measure the effectiveness of stay-at-home orders put in place by governments in many parts of the world. Data is collected in areas to see if people are staying near their homes or are also visiting other parts of the area. Such information is meant to help officials decide "whether preventive measures are headed in the right direction," Facebook said.

A third tool creates maps that show Facebook friendships across states and countries. The data can map a percentage of "social connectedness" in specific areas. The company said this data is provided⁷ to medical professionals to help them predict the likelihood⁸ of disease spread. It can also help officials learn how social ties can help communities fight and recover from the crisis⁹.

The data is shared on a daily basis with local officials and nonprofit organizations across the world. The new maps are part of Facebook's Data for Good program, which the company says attempts to use its huge supply of data to address important humanitarian¹⁰ issues.

In addition to the maps, Facebook announced it was partnering with university researchers to seek health information from some users willing to share it. The program is part of a research project created by America's Carnegie Mellon University.

Beginning this week, some U.S. Facebook users will see a link at the top of their News Feed they can follow if they would like to take part in a survey about their personal health situation.

Researchers hope to use the survey data to create "heat maps" of self-reported coronavirus symptoms. The information could also help officials predict where medical resources will be needed.

Facebook promised it had taken steps to protect the privacy¹¹ of those taking the survey. The company said it would not share the personal identities¹² of its users with researchers from Carnegie Mellon. It added that the researchers will also not share individual survey answers with Facebook. If results are successful, Facebook says it will make similar surveys available to users in other parts of the world.

Google mobility¹³ reports

Google also recently announced a similar data gathering¹⁴ program, which creates "community mobility reports" for more than 100 nations. Google said the project does not involve use of personally identifiable information, such as an individual's location, contacts or movement.

Google has long collected data for its Maps app to show how movements of people affect how busy different businesses are throughout the day. Public health officials have requested such data now to help fight the worldwide coronavirus crisis.

The reports – which are published online - provide information on the movements of people to several places in the community. These include trips to stores, recreation areas, parks, transportation centers, workplaces and homes. The reports show percentage increases or decreases in visits to those places.

Google said it hopes the information on the most and least visited places can help officials decide on future policies and resources aimed at fighting the virus.

Words in This Story

location – n. a place or position

survey – n. an examination¹⁵ of people's opinions or behavior made by asking people questions

symptom – n. a physical feeling or problem that shows that someone has a particular illness

app – n. a program for a smartphone or other device¹⁶ that performs a special function

recreation – n. activities people do for enjoyment when they are not working

1 launch   

vt.发动，推出；发射；n.发射，下水，投产

参考例句：

• The makers are about to launch out a new product.制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。
• Would it be wise to launch into this rough sea?在这样汹涌的大海中游泳明智吗？

2 launched   

v.发射( launch的过去式和过去分词 )；[计算机]开始（应用程序）；发动；开展（活动、计划等）

参考例句：

• He launched a bitter diatribe against the younger generation. 他对年轻一代发起了猛烈的抨击。
• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide. 这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。

3 disease   

n.疾病，弊端

参考例句：

• The doctors are trying to stamp out the disease.医生正在尽力消灭这种疾病。
• He fought against the disease for a long time.他同疾病做了长时间的斗争。

4 user   

n.用户，使用者

参考例句：

• The company is the biggest user of oil.该公司是最大的石油用户。
• The umbrella keeps the rains off the user.雨伞使撑伞人免受雨淋。

5 users   

用户，使用者( user的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The new software will prove a boon to Internet users. 这种新软件将会对互联网用户大有益处。
• Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。

6 probability   

n.可能性，可能发生的事，概率

参考例句：

• The probability that it will rain today is high.今天下雨的可能性很大。
• He must calculate the probability of failure.他必须计算一下失败的概率。

7 provided   

conj.假如，若是；adj.预备好的，由...供给的

参考例句：

• Provided it's fine we will have a pleasant holiday.如果天气良好，我们的假日将过得非常愉快。
• I will come provided that it's not raining tomorrow.如果明天不下雨，我就来。

8 likelihood   

n.可能，可能性

参考例句：

• We must try our best to reduce the likelihood of war.我们必须尽最大努力减少战争的可能性。
• I don't think there is any likelihood of his agreeing to it.我认为不会有他同意那件事情的可能。

9 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。

10 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

11 privacy   

n.私人权利，个人自由，隐私权

参考例句：

• In such matters,privacy is impossible.在这类事情中，保密是不可能的。
• She wept in the privacy of her own room.她在自己房内暗暗落泪。

12 identities   

身份( identity的名词复数 )； 同一性； 个性； 同一人

参考例句：

• Please note the identities in the two cases. 请注意这两个案子的相同之处。
• The planners decided to preserve their distinct identities. 设计者们决定保留他们各自的特色。

13 mobility   

n.可动性，变动性，情感不定

参考例句：

• The difference in regional house prices acts as an obstacle to mobility of labour.不同地区房价的差异阻碍了劳动力的流动。
• Mobility is very important in guerrilla warfare.机动性在游击战中至关重要。

14 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

15 examination   

n.考试，考查，试题；检查，调查

参考例句：

• Teachers always judge their students on the final examination.老师常根据期末考试来评价他们的学生。
• He put up a good show in the final examination.他在期末考试中表现得不错。

16 device   

n.器械，装置；计划，策略，诡计

参考例句：

• The device will be in production by the end of the year.该装置将于年底投入生产。
• The device will save much time and effort for us.这种装置会使我们节省大量时间和气力。