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The Conversation USA

Want to know how many people have the coronavirus? Test randomly

  • Written by Daniel N. Rockmore, William H. Neukom 1964 Distinguished Professor of Computational Science, Associate Dean for the Sciences, Dartmouth College, Dartmouth College
Polls and surveys use random sampling. Why not pandemic testing?Gerville/E+ via Getty Images

Consider these two questions: What percentage of Americans are, or have been, infected with the coronavirus? And, what is the probability of dying from the virus if you catch it? One of the most unsettling aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic is that these two...

Read more: Want to know how many people have the coronavirus? Test randomly

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