Google Is Using Its Doodle Art Series to Salute Workers on the Pandemic’s Front Lines—and Make a Clever Point About Social Distancing, Too

The animated gifs acknowledge custodial staff, delivery workers, and others on the front lines.

Google Doodles: Thank you coronavirus helpers, Food service workers. Courtesy of Google.

You may have noticed a theme for the daily Google Doodles of the past two weeks: each one acknowledged a different group of essential workers who remain on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, keeping society going as others self-isolate and work from home.

“As COVID-19 continues to impact communities around the world, essential workers have stepped up in unprecedented ways—including putting their own lives at risk—to provide services that keep our society moving forward in these tough times,” Jessica Yu, the Doodle team lead, told Artnet News in an email.

“Heroic efforts deserve to be recognized and honored, and we hope our Doodle series shows our gratitude for these amazing people.”

On most days, Google releases a new Doodle, reworking its logo to honor holidays, historic figures or events, or other occasions such as the Olympic Games or the World Cup.

Google Doodles: Thank you coronavirus helpers, Packaging, shipping, and delivery workers. Courtesy of Google.

Google Doodles: Thank you coronavirus helpers, Packaging, shipping, and delivery workers. Courtesy of Google.

The most recent set of Doodles are animated gifs in which Google sends some love to essential workers.

“We purposely used the first and last letters of our logo to ensure characters in every Doodle were practicing social distancing,” Yu said.

Today, the internet giant unveiled the 10th drawing in the series, whch acknowledges teachers and childcare workers.

Google previously paid tribute to scientific researchers; doctors, nurses, and medical professionals; first responders; custodial and sanitation workers; farmworkers and farmers; grocers; public transportation workers; delivery workers; and food-service employees.

An 11th Doodle, set to appear tomorrow, will incorporate all ten groups.


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