How are state and local governments verifying the accuracy of the vote in this critical election year? One approach designed to simplify a major challenge for election officials as the ballots arrive is the risk-limiting audit, which enables double-checking only a sample of paper ballots to make sure they match electronic results. Miles O’Brien reports. […]
New COVID-19 model shows why early action matters
A newly released analysis of coronavirus’ spread in the U.S. suggests a haunting hypothetical: that if social distancing and stay-at-home orders had been implemented only a week earlier, more than 30,000 lives might have been saved. But that alternate scenario relies upon computer-based modeling that has its limitations. PBS NewsHour science correspondent Miles O’Brien joins […]
What computer-based models can tell us about coronavirus — and what they can’t
For months, scientists and public officials have relied upon computer-based models to try to predict the trajectory or the coronavirus outbreak. But models are not crystal balls, and all of them involve human assumptions. PBS NewsHour science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports on how the efforts that go into making these models — and their ultimate […]