COVID-19 update: Rainbows everywhere: Brooklyn movement goes worldwide via My Maps

May 1, 2020 Editorial Staff

Google’s rainbow map phenomenon quickly spread from Brooklyn all across the world. Photo courtesy of Google

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On the front lines of the war on COVID-19, there are many civilian heroes going out of their way, as volunteers and contributors. Also, many who are elected to serve are going the extra mile. In this column the Eagle hopes to give our readers an ongoing update on those fighting in the front lines.

In 2007, Google launched My Maps to help people create their own custom Google Maps. Over the past four months, Google has seen a remarkable surge in My Maps usage as communities have been sharing helpful, local information in rapidly changing situations — from COVID-19 testing sites and food banks to where first responders can access childcare facilities. Google has created a special video to highlight one map that started in Brooklyn and has become a worldwide phenomenon. This map, which shows where neighbors have placed drawings of rainbows in their windows to provide a fun scavenger hunt for children, quickly spread from Brooklyn all across the world.

The American Red Cross is operating a virtual Family Assistance Center to provide comfort and support, information and referrals for New York State families that have lost loved ones to the coronavirus. The Center will link families to crisis counselors who will provide emotional and spiritual support, as well as information and referrals to help them navigate the challenging process they might be facing as a result of their loved one’s death. “These families are dealing with the emotional trauma of losing a loved one, while facing logistical challenges caused by this public health emergency,” said Northeast Division Disaster Mental Health Advisor Tara Hughes, who will be leading the program. “We’re proud to use the mass casualty experience of the Red Cross to join our community together and provide comfort and support to these families across New York State during these difficult times.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Corey Johnson today announced “Project Cupid,” a joint effort between the Office of the City Clerk and the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications to transition the marriage licensing process fully online. “We need moments of joy now more than ever, and we won’t let a pandemic get in the way of true love,” said de Blasio. “To all of the couples looking forward to tying the knot, know that your city is right here with you, throwing rice from afar.” The new system will allow couples to virtually schedule and attend an appointment with the City Clerk’s office, securely upload required documents for the marriage license to the City Clerk’s office, and upload the signed license for submission to the City Clerk once the ceremony is complete.

Dr. Scholl’s is hosting a laser light show on Thursday evening at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull to honor frontline workers. The company recently invited the hospital to join their We Stand with You Campaign, which provides insoles to hospital workers. “Dr. Scholl’s Laser Light Show to Thank Frontline Heroes” will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Flushing Avenue between Broadway and Throop.