Waze now shows emergency food centers, coronavirus testing sites

Just because most of us aren’t commuting during coronavirus shutdowns doesn’t mean the Waze map app can’t be put to good use. 

With driving down 60 percent on the navigation app compared to global February mileage totals, according to Waze’s app data, the Google-owned company has added COVID-19 tools to maps around the world, starting with 56 different countries. 

The Waze Crisis Response team joined forces this week with volunteer map editors, local government officials, and other groups to add new information more relevant these days than a slowdown at your exit on the way to the office. Things like medical testing centers, quarantine road closures, and reminders about other local restrictions, like no parking at certain parks or beaches, are now part of the Waze experience. 

Along with that new map info, in the U.S., tens of thousands of emergency food sites will now also show up on maps. Shocking images this week showed long lines at food banks and emergency food centers, showing they are more essential than ever. The New York-based nonprofit WhyHunger integrated its “Food Finder” database into Waze so anyone can track down locations to pick up food. The additional listings are expected to help overburdened food banks and redirect users to other locations and available supplies.

WhyHunger already has a hotline and online tools to connect resources to communities, but now all that information is available directly through an app you may already have on your phone.