Normalizing the pandemic: exploring the cartographic issues in state government COVID-19 dashboards

Government agencies have utilized Web Geographic Information Systems (GIS) dashboards to collect and disseminate spatial information on COVID-19. However, not all maps on these dashboards adhere to established cartographic principles. This article explores the extent of the cartographic issues by surveying state governments' official COVID-19 websites in the United States on February 11, 2021. The results indicate that out of the fifty states, thirty-one (62.0%) incorrectly used unnormalized data in choropleth maps, sixteen (32.0%) used normalized data, and three (6.0%) did not employ choropleth maps. Among states using normalized data correctly, we identified other cartographic problems, including inappropriate data class divisions and suboptimal enumeration units. As dashboards serve as authoritative sources for health information, issues in map creation can influence public perception of the health crisis. These findings underscore the need for map standards to ensure the accuracy and reliability of health information in the Web GIS era.

Automated summary

Government agencies have used Web GIS dashboards to collect and distribute spatial information on COVID-19, but not all maps adhere to established cartographic principles. This article examines the extent of cartographic issues by surveying official COVID-19 websites of state governments in the United States. The findings reveal incorrect use of unnormalized data in choropleth maps by 62.0% of the states, while 32.0% used normalized data and 6.0% did not employ choropleth maps. Even in states using normalized data correctly, other cartographic problems were identified, such as inappropriate data class divisions and suboptimal enumeration units. Given the significance of dashboards as authoritative sources, map standards are essential to ensure accurate and reliable health information in the Web GIS era.