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IMO, during the first half of an epidemic, when a small portion of the population is infected and infections are growing exponentially, it makes sense to use th
by djannzjkzxn 7y ago
IMO, during the first half of an epidemic, when a small portion of the population is infected and infections are growing exponentially, it makes sense to use the absolute number of infections. Then later when infection is widespread and the curve looks logistic, it makes sense to give the proportion of infected. I think we are clearly in the first half when it comes to coronavirus.
- mytailorisrich 7y agoWith time it makes sense to report the number of current cases as the cumulative number includes more and more people who are now cured.
- ska 7y agoThe complaint wasn't about absolute numbers per se, but absolute numbers in a choropleth presentation. Which I think is correct.
- usrusr 7y ago> during the first half of an epidemic, when a small portion of the population is infected and infections are growing exponentially, it makes sense to use the absolute number of infections. That's even a bit of an understatement, because three infected in a city of millions can easily be an early stage pandemic whereas three infected in the middle of nowhere would just be a three very unlucky persons.