Facebook rolls out Covid 19 Announcement tool in India to amplify information on resources, essential updates

Facebook is rolling out the Covid 19 Announcement tool in India. This will enable states and union territories to share essential Covid 19 related updates with users. Facebook has partnered with 33 states and Union Territories to roll out the Covid Announcement tool in their respective jurisdictions. Facebook notes that when posts by state health department pages on Facebook are marked as a Covid 19 Announcement, the platform amplifies its reach so that people located in the community are more likely to see them. People located in the affected area will also receive notification about the Covid 19 Information Center. This will help distribute important and urgent updates related to Covid 19 information vaccination efforts to people in the community.

The Covid 19 Announcements can be used to amplify information on resources such as helplines, updates on hospital bed availability in districts, such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and oxygen supported beds, changes to existing COVID-19 rules and regulation that can impact communities and day-to-day actions, such as lockdowns, night curfews and changes to treatment protocols, information about vaccine eligibility and registration, and the logistics of acquiring a vaccine, accurate information on COVID-19 appropriate behavior and preventive behavioral health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19

Facebook notes that these efforts will support the public health authorities work to keep people safe and informed during the coronavirus public health crisis. India is the second country after the US to launch this feature. The COVID-19 Announcement feature will give health departments the ability to push out timely, credible Covid 19 and vaccine information to people in their local communities and state jurisdictions. States will be able to issue these alerts statewide or to specific cities within their state.

The second wave of Covid 19 in India saw many users in distress turn to social media asking for resources like beds, oxygen cylinders, availability of medicines, ambulances and plasma donors. It also helped affected users find home-cooked meals and therapists.

Last month, Twitter rolled out the advanced search feature for users that will help them customise their search for information specific to time, place and hashtags. The micro-blogging site has now also rolled out more tools like SOS lists, prompts, fact pages and a live page to help users get access to resources they look for. Twitter notes that the SOS resources page will surface information from those offering or seeking immediate help.