SURVEY: West Seattle women’s project aims for ‘full picture of … how everyone is feeling around us’

| Coronavirus | Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Almost every day, it’s noted that the official case numbers are not the full picture of COVID-19’s spread because so few tests are done. So two West Seattle women have come up with a project and are inviting you to participate. It’s informal, unofficial, and anonymous. From Leda Costa (a former WSB contributing photojournalist):

I created a site with a friend of mine to help flatten the curve, locally.

Since all data right now is of “confirmed cases” it feels like we’re not getting the full picture of our community and how everyone’s feeling around us. It was inspired by a friend of mine who is rather sick but just at home because he got denied testing and was told to only go to the hospital if he absolutely can’t breathe. I’m sure stories like his are everywhere! So we made this survey that takes less than a minute to complete and populates a map with the data:

https://www.covid19symptomscensus.com/

It will only work if lots of people do this on a local level’ right now we’ve passed it around our personal circles so we have a few answers all over the country, the next step is to get it localized!

J March 28, 2020 (1:44 pm)

An explicit privacy policy would be a good addition!

Bummer March 28, 2020 (1:47 pm)

Bummer. I was going to take the survey but I don’t have/want a google or gmail account.

Anonymous March 28, 2020 (2:22 pm)

I want to take the survey but its asking me to sign in. I don’t want to sign up for anything. Is there anyway to remain anonymous?

ML March 28, 2020 (2:22 pm)

Tried to take it and it requires me to log in with a google account. This will likely reduce the response rate as only those with a google account will be able to respond.

annika March 28, 2020 (3:13 pm)

This is great, thank you! Logged ‘no symptoms’ in my zip code.

steve March 28, 2020 (3:32 pm)

Person March 28, 2020 (3:34 pm)

Great idea, but im not going to log in to take the survey.

WSB March 28, 2020 (4:09 pm)

I called this to Leda’s attention and they’re adding some explanation to the site. Participation is completely anonymous *to them.*

Maria M. March 28, 2020 (9:41 pm)

Love to participate but not if I have to log in with my account. Here’s a link on how to structure an anonymous survey on SurveyMonkey if Leda is interested in restructuring hers.

Changes? March 28, 2020 (9:52 pm)

What happens if your situation/symptoms change? Seems like accurate tracking is hard if each new survey entry is counted as a different person.

aa March 28, 2020 (11:10 pm)

I don’t like the mapping aspect. Getting data for the illness in the area is one thing, being able to drill down on a map goes too far into peoples right to privacy in my opinion.

JulesB March 29, 2020 (10:12 am)

AA, you are correct. . Also, providing this data is not/not anonymous, as the I’m sure the well- meaning organizers assert. Anyone logging in or signing up with your gmail account is handing over all your data and surrendering your privacy to Google. Are you okay with Google, and their 3rd party partners having your personnel health data, and potentially selling it? I’m not. If you are uninformed about what Google does with all your data, including data mining your gmail email, including unsent draft email, and collecting your behavior/actions on any site accessed with a Google Chrome Browser, please read New York Times series on Privacy.

22blades March 29, 2020 (5:21 am)

Good idea but unfortunately, I won’t be opening a Google account anytime soon.

Lisa March 29, 2020 (7:30 am)

I appreciate what they are trying to do but I’m not sure how it will flatten the curve. 93% of people tested in WA state (assuming those people have symptoms which they believe are Covid-19) have tested NEGATIVE. I assume that MOST people taking this survey will be those who believe they have symptoms of Covid-19 but it’s highly likely they don’t. https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus

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