On 1 April at 9AM ET/1PM UTC the UN Statistics Division, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data and Open Data Watch hosted on Twitter a #CovidDataChat in which representatives from National Statistical Offices and their partners discussed the challenges they are facing in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, share potential solutions, and identify immediate technical assistance and funding needs. Below we share a selection of responses from the discussion as well as a list of resources shared during the chat. To see more of the online conversation, follow the hashtag #CovidDataChat on Twitter.
#CovidDataChat A1: To maintain Data collection during quarantine-time. Field work is being challenged. We in Mongolia give our best not to stop survey data collection, try to use telephone or leave questionnaire at household and take back. As for admin-data, no problems yet.
— Аюушийн Ариунзаяа / Ariunzaya Ayush (@ariunzaya_a) April 1, 2020
#CovidDataChat A1 Our main challenge as NSO is Data Collection because Palestine is under lockdown. We managed only to do data collection via phone for price indices.
— Ola Awad (@Olashakhshir) April 1, 2020
#CovidDataChat A2 presently the Government of Trinidad & Tobago is preparing its first VNR Report..consultations with the wider public are now challenged..together with support from the UNCT, data collection strategies now include online surveys and emailed written responses
— Anand Maraj (@anand_maraj) April 1, 2020
#CovidDataChat A2: This is time for strong management decisions on how to change priorities AND how to simplify and innovate. More than ever we need NSO leadership and strong data stewardship. We stand ready to help. @OpenDataWatch @Data4SDGs @UNStats @ContactPARIS21
— Shaida Badiee (@ShaidaBadiee) April 1, 2020
#CovidDataChat A3: On hand of monthly stats-bulletin we prepared a short analysis of COVID impact on main economic-indicators. Government has established COVID emergency response unit, where NSO staff is part of. Working on real-time dashboard and providing with necessary Data.
— Аюушийн Ариунзаяа / Ariunzaya Ayush (@ariunzaya_a) April 1, 2020
#CovidDataChat Q3: @Data2X is taking measures to compile resources on gender and #genderdata as it relates to COVID-19 preparedness & response around the world. We created a new webpage for this purpose. https://t.co/vrwkFLT490
— Data2X (@Data2X) April 1, 2020
#CovidDataChat A4: At a crisis times such as this, timely data is essential. NSO’s can not deliver daily. Non-traditional sources or quick surveys are needed. Our dev.UN-partners in Mongolia joined forces together to have a snapshot survey within 2 weeks. NSO advises on it.
— Аюушийн Ариунзаяа / Ariunzaya Ayush (@ariunzaya_a) April 1, 2020
#CovidDataChat Q4: Due the emergency caused by the Covid-19, since March 17, a collaborative inter-institutional approach has been adopted between several entities (@MinSaludCol, @DNP_Colombia and others).
— DANE Colombia (@DANE_Colombia) April 1, 2020
#CovidDataChat A5: @UNECE is collating resources to help NSOs struggling to compile consumer price indices. Consult or add to them here: https://t.co/GKQ7lDGNdD
— unecestat (@unecestat) April 1, 2020
#CovidDataChat A5: Simply put, the work requires more IT. There's a need for fewer enumerators, more data scientists. https://t.co/JCrcTcz4ft
— Positium (@positium) April 1, 2020
#CovidDataChat A6: We have been in NSOs experimenting with different tools for quite some time and now seems the right time to fully utilize. These tools include Telephone interviewing as well as internet data collection.
— Ola Awad (@Olashakhshir) April 1, 2020
#CovidDataChat A6: In the #COVID19 crisis response in Estonia, we are contributing with methodological development and data visualisation. Visuals can be a powerful tool in communicating. Here's an example: https://t.co/ImqOGcNLDo https://t.co/qsSQ0NdiUr
— Positium (@positium) April 1, 2020
In addition to the answers shared during the discussion, participants shared new resources and publications that their respective organizations have created in response to COVID-19:
Thank you to all who joined the first #CovidDataChat on Twitter. We look forward to continuing the discussions in the next one. Please visit our website or follow @UNStats on Twitter for more information on the next #CovidDataChat’s date.