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Open government data, uncertainty and coronavirus: An infodemiological case study

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  • Yiannakoulias, Nikolaos
  • Slavik, Catherine E.
  • Sturrock, Shelby L.
  • Darlington, J. Connor

Abstract

Governments around the world have made data on COVID-19 testing, case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths openly available, and a breadth of researchers, media sources and data scientists have curated and used these data to inform the public about the state of the coronavirus pandemic. However, it is unclear if all data being released convey anything useful beyond the reputational benefits of governments wishing to appear open and transparent. In this analysis we use Ontario, Canada as a case study to assess the value of publicly available SARS-CoV-2 positive case numbers. Using a combination of real data and simulations, we find that daily publicly available test results probably contain considerable error about individual risk (measured as proportion of tests that are positive, population based incidence and prevalence of active cases) and that short term variations are very unlikely to provide useful information for any plausible decision making on the part of individual citizens. Open government data can increase the transparency and accountability of government, however it is essential that all publication, use and re-use of these data highlight their weaknesses to ensure that the public is properly informed about the uncertainty associated with SARS-CoV-2 information.

Suggested Citation

  • Yiannakoulias, Nikolaos & Slavik, Catherine E. & Sturrock, Shelby L. & Darlington, J. Connor, 2020. "Open government data, uncertainty and coronavirus: An infodemiological case study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:265:y:2020:i:c:s0277953620307681
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113549
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Feiyu Jiang & Zifeng Zhao & Xiaofeng Shao, 2020. "Time Series Analysis of COVID-19 Infection Curve: A Change-Point Perspective," Papers 2007.04553, arXiv.org.
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    3. Erna Ruijer & Françoise Détienne & Michael Baker & Jonathan Groff & Albert Meijer, 2020. "The Politics of Open Government Data: Understanding Organizational Responses to Pressure for More Transparency," Post-Print hal-02546332, HAL.
    4. Cleo Anastassopoulou & Lucia Russo & Athanasios Tsakris & Constantinos Siettos, 2020. "Data-based analysis, modelling and forecasting of the COVID-19 outbreak," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(3), pages 1-21, March.
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