Coronavirus is on everyone’s minds. Here’s what most people are Googling about the illness

The coronavirus outbreak has prompted a lot of questions. And where do most people go for answers? Google.

News 12 Staff

Feb 29, 2020, 12:30 AM

Updated 1,511 days ago

Share:

The coronavirus outbreak has prompted a lot of questions. And where do most people go for answers? Google.
Concerned minds are converging on Google to curb curiosity over the virus. And a new study suggests that millions do not know much about it.
A SEMrush study collected Google search data between December 2019 and January 2020. Here is what it found: 2.2 million people a month took the time to Google the definition of the coronavirus.
That search was commonly followed by “coronavirus treatment.” Nearly half a million people searched for that term. Over 6 million people searched for simply “coronavirus symptoms.”
PHOTOS: The impact of coronavirus around the world
undefined

Google experienced a new search for the first time in January, “coronavirus mask.” Over 2 million people searched for these masks and found that after hundreds of thousands of transactions through Walgreens, Walmart and Home Depot – the masks are hard to come by.
There is also worldwide curiosity about China – the epicenter of the outbreak. Many wanted to know about travel restrictions. Research shows over 28,000 in January alone asking if there's an outright travel ban to the country. There isn't.
But the numbers don’t lie. Certain airlines could stand to lose $30 billion in revenue this year due to travel concerns. Travel agents also say that they are seeing a dip in business and hotel bookings.
The virus has killed thousands of people – mostly in China. Tens of thousands have been sickened.
Will a mask really protect you from coronavirus? - Cheddar explains
 


More from News 12
1:40
Preliminary report uncovers over 100 potential unmarked burials at historic Rye cemetery

Preliminary report uncovers over 100 potential unmarked burials at historic Rye cemetery

2:10
Scattered showers for Friday throughout the Hudson Valley before dry, breezy Saturday

Scattered showers for Friday throughout the Hudson Valley before dry, breezy Saturday

0:12
Police: Woman hurt in Yonkers stabbing

Police: Woman hurt in Yonkers stabbing

0:43
City of Yonkers to run Nepperhan Community Center following financial mismanagement report

City of Yonkers to run Nepperhan Community Center following financial mismanagement report

0:56
Retail prevention plan to include harsher penalties, additional patrols

Retail prevention plan to include harsher penalties, additional patrols

1:47
'Evening in Good Taste' helps feed hungry in Westchester County

'Evening in Good Taste' helps feed hungry in Westchester County

0:45
Authorities: Mahopac man captured sexually explicit images of children with hidden camera

Authorities: Mahopac man captured sexually explicit images of children with hidden camera

0:30
Hearing for New City stabbing suspect rescheduled for next week

Hearing for New City stabbing suspect rescheduled for next week

0:53
Carmel School District closes in on budget agreement following months of debates

Carmel School District closes in on budget agreement following months of debates

0:44
Greenburgh's ex-Parks and Recreation commissioner honored with renaming of multipurpose center

Greenburgh's ex-Parks and Recreation commissioner honored with renaming of multipurpose center

0:37
Virginia man was sentenced to 20 years to life in fatal 2021 shooting of New Rochelle cab driver

Virginia man was sentenced to 20 years to life in fatal 2021 shooting of New Rochelle cab driver

0:34
Westchester DA: Yonkers man sentenced 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison for fatal June 2023 hit-and-run

Westchester DA: Yonkers man sentenced 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison for fatal June 2023 hit-and-run

0:28
White Plains police: Teenager arrested in connection to stabbing of 17-year-old outside gas station

White Plains police: Teenager arrested in connection to stabbing of 17-year-old outside gas station

1:54
Middletown couple fight through lawsuits, zoning problems to open New Paltz cannabis dispensary

Middletown couple fight through lawsuits, zoning problems to open New Paltz cannabis dispensary

0:41
State budget proposal would consolidate Medicaid program used in hiring home health aide

State budget proposal would consolidate Medicaid program used in hiring home health aide

1:35
Double Up Food Bucks program comes to Yonkers market

Double Up Food Bucks program comes to Yonkers market

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:23
Ford recalls over 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick cars due to loss of drive power risk

Ford recalls over 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick cars due to loss of drive power risk

1:44
Discover a Gothic Revival masterpiece of art and architecture at Lyndhurst Mansion

Discover a Gothic Revival masterpiece of art and architecture at Lyndhurst Mansion

0:51
Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips

Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips