Fun with MA COVID-19 reporting 07-Jul-2020 edition

I just noticed a couple things about the daily and cumulative confirmed and probable cases that I had missed previously: the text says that it "includes both confirmed and probable cases" but the number in the graph for each day is the number of confirmed per the raw data, so even though the image shows the different elements, the numeric value isn't. The other thing I noticed? The data is current as of 10am that day... how much massaging do we need to do of this data to make it look good?

Also, the state has adjusted the layout of their report so that probable cases are now a random page near the end (page 21 of 27).

Oh, while we're on the topic of graphic design choices that can be misleading: the graph of Percent of Tests by Molecular Method that are Positive by Test Date has a peculiar thing where the first number is close to the line but almost all the rest are halfway between the line and the bottom of the graph. This means that in yesterday's report, the "8%" reported on May 23 is displayed significantly lower than the "8%" reported on May 22, giving the illusion that the number dropped. And while we're on this graph, it appears that positive tests come in quicker than negatives because every day, that date's percentage is higher than it is the next day, like, significantly (this one isn't a design thing but more just an interesting factoid)

Stay safe. Stay sane. Stay informed. Stay graphic designy.

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