both of these were based on:
Hi all,
So like I said in class, I saw this table by the COVID19 project (the embed doesn’t seem to be updating right now but I’ll double check on it) that essentially walked the viewer through calculations, starting on the lefthand columns and working towards the righthand columns, that resulted in a designation of an “up” or “down” arrow value for a state in their COVID19 hospitalizations. This table showed aggregations of data and a specific sequence of calculations (like dividing the number of cases per population of the state to make it comparable) that ended in a simple symbol. I wondered what the effect would be if each of these columns were to be visualized on a map. Seeing the data dis-aggregated from the table made me realize how many different dynamics are at play with COVID19 data; as you can probably tell, the images of the two maps I created invoke drastically different reactions.
Hi Lauren,
Converting the table to a map makes the data much more comprehensible. I found reading the data in the table for all of the states and the capital to be a bit overwhelming. By consolidating all of the data onto the map it is much easier to see how covid is playing out in each state. The map is also helpful in identifying trends that are forming in certain areas of the country, as well as making the trends going on in all of the states more apparent. I was previously unaware how hard the midwest was getting hit by the pandemic, and the map really highlights that.
I agree that the two maps created different reactions, and they support the same narrative. The pandemic is getting worse, especially in the places that were not previously a problem. Cases are rising throughout the country, but the percentage is drastically increasing in a condensed area in the middle of the country.
I think it would be interesting if there was a third map for cases in that day, just to see how the map compared to the per capita map. Perhaps that map could be used for people hoping to pose a counter argument.