4 ms·

But Google themselves have said it exists: https://twitter.com/Google_Comms/status/1238989460127338497 https://twitter.com/Google_Comms/status/12389894601273384

by gundmc 7y ago

But Google themselves have said it exists: https://twitter.com/Google_Comms/status/1238989460127338497 https://twitter.com/Google_Comms/status/1238989460127338497

ajross 7y ago
As has been pointed out ad nausum, what Google said was "Verily is in the early stages of development, and planning to roll testing out in the Bay Area, with the hope of expanding more broadly over time." which clearly does not match the product announced by the executive branch (i.e. it's not for everyone, there's no existing plan for rollout beyond the bay area). And pointing that messaging mixup out is part of the job of good journalists, because the public deserves to know what it's getting (i.e. if you're in Seattle or NY, Google has announced nothing for you but hope). And in particular because this administration has a terrible record with delivering a clear message. Yet some people insist that as long as there is some reasonably charitable reading of a statement that isn't an obvious lie, that somehow the messaging problem is the media's to solve?
- gundmc 7y ago
  That may have been the case initially, but is clearly no longer true if you click through to the statement I linked. I'm not sure if Google was planning this prior to Trump's announcement or if it's reactionary, but the relevant portion is here: "Google is partnering with the US Government in developing a nationwide website that includes information about COVID-19 symptoms, risk and testing information. This is in addition to other measures we are taking, including:...Work being done by our sister company Verily to launch a pilot website that will enable individuals to do a risk assessment and be scheduled for testing at sites in the Bay Area..."
  - ajross 7y ago
    Arrgh, but those aren't the same thing! The press conference announced a test scheduling tool, which corresponds to the Verily product. That quote you just listed is just a static info site. You seriously don't see why this is a messaging error? That it's newsworthy when Trump announced something that doesn't pan out? That it's of a piece with the other times he's done the same thing (e.g. repeatedly stating "anyone who wants to be tested can be tested" when the CDC rules actively being enforced placed strict limits on test availability)?

by gundmc 7y ago

But Google themselves have said it exists: https://twitter.com/Google_Comms/status/1238989460127338497 https://twitter.com/Google_Comms/status/1238989460127338497

ajross 7y ago

As has been pointed out ad nausum, what Google said was "Verily is in the early stages of development, and planning to roll testing out in the Bay Area, with the hope of expanding more broadly over time." which clearly does not match the product announced by the executive branch (i.e. it's not for everyone, there's no existing plan for rollout beyond the bay area). And pointing that messaging mixup out is part of the job of good journalists, because the public deserves to know what it's getting (i.e. if you're in Seattle or NY, Google has announced nothing for you but hope). And in particular because this administration has a terrible record with delivering a clear message. Yet some people insist that as long as there is some reasonably charitable reading of a statement that isn't an obvious lie, that somehow the messaging problem is the media's to solve?

gundmc 7y ago
That may have been the case initially, but is clearly no longer true if you click through to the statement I linked. I'm not sure if Google was planning this prior to Trump's announcement or if it's reactionary, but the relevant portion is here: "Google is partnering with the US Government in developing a nationwide website that includes information about COVID-19 symptoms, risk and testing information. This is in addition to other measures we are taking, including:...Work being done by our sister company Verily to launch a pilot website that will enable individuals to do a risk assessment and be scheduled for testing at sites in the Bay Area..."
- ajross 7y ago
  Arrgh, but those aren't the same thing! The press conference announced a test scheduling tool, which corresponds to the Verily product. That quote you just listed is just a static info site. You seriously don't see why this is a messaging error? That it's newsworthy when Trump announced something that doesn't pan out? That it's of a piece with the other times he's done the same thing (e.g. repeatedly stating "anyone who wants to be tested can be tested" when the CDC rules actively being enforced placed strict limits on test availability)?