Greeted by a Slack message from the day’s lead checker, I started my data entry shift for the COVID-19 Tracking Project at 3:30 p.m. (ET) sharp on Monday, Oct. 26. I gathered information on four states: South Dakota, Idaho Connecticut and Washington. I kept the data entry instructions open in a tab, and read and reread the notes in the sheet. The job requires an eye for detail and patience. The language used in some categories is similar, and states use different words to categorize information. On one occasion, I almost put in incorrect information because I misread the note for the cell, which thankfully turned red and I was able to correct it before marking the row as done. The notes and the formulas and external scripts in the sheet make the work straightforward. For the most part, my shift went smoothly, going back and forth between the sheet and the project’s Slack channel. After I completed one row, I felt I had gotten into the swing of things.
I was impressed by the magnitude of the project while working my data entry shift. Keeping track of data from all 50 states plus U.S. territories is a monumental task. But teamwork makes it possible. I was happily surprised to see how well the team communicated with each other via the Slack channels. With an organized system, it is easy to convey information and get the work done as quickly as possible. The shift ended at 5:30 p.m. (ET) sharp, and I think three hours is quite fast considering the amount of jurisdictions and categories.
One of my biggest takeaways from the experience was how limited data collection can be. The COVID Tracking Project depends on data provided by the states, and although it may be more detailed and complete than federal information, it is still lacking in some areas. I had to leave several columns blank because the data was not available in the states’ websites and dashboards. In some cases, certain information was updated weekly, so I had no new data to put in. The experience made me appreciate even more the importance of the work done by the project, as it fills in a gap of necessary information on the coronavirus crisis. Overall, the shift taught me the value of working as a team, communicating with fellow colleagues, and reading instructions and notes carefully.