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<p>Dear Paul,<br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Am 01.05.20 um 17:30 schrieb Berkman,
Paul A:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:B869C4709601FB44BC92C41917F53ABB2EE66982@tabvmexdag1mb04.tufts.ad.tufts.edu"><span
style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">we
are working with effectively infinite and instantaneous
information access in our digital era.
</span></blockquote>
<p>I think you might reconsider this statement a bit, in light of
the current pandemic:</p>
<p>There is "The Reality" of infections happening, and in the
"Information Space" the point in time when these infections can be
seen in PDF-statistics or on (public or confidential) dashboards.
Not only is there a delay due to the asymptomatic-while-infectious
period (which could only be overcome by daily testing of all or of
a representative sample), but then a delay due to the processing
of tests plus delays in reporting which typically add up to some
days (almost a week?). The only thing which is instantaneous about
that is the access to these results after reporting and collating
is finished (e.g., the Johns Hopkins site; these people are doing
an amazing job!)</p>
<p>=> This leads to consequences of decisions to be noticed only
after two to three weeks or so, rather than one week (including
incubation time).<br>
</p>
<p>Also, as to "infinite", I am afraid we know next to nothing about
many countries - whether these countries don't have the economic
capacity or the logistics to acquire the data or prefer not to
disclose them. <br>
</p>
<p>=> This will lead to widespread uncertainty about how and when
to resume global (or even trans-national) trade and travel.<br>
</p>
<p>Of course, both of these observations lead to my previous points
about openness and real-time operations (and trust), as desirables
for the future.<br>
</p>
<p>best,</p>
<p>Hans<br>
</p>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="70">--
Hans Pfeiffenberger
Consultant, scientific data infrastructures & policies
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.hans-pfeiffenberger.de">www.hans-pfeiffenberger.de</a></pre>
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