Coronavirus trajectory tracker explained

Synopsis

The FT's coronavirus trajectories tracker is designed to address common questions about the spread of viruses. One key question is why a logarithmic scale is used on the y-axis. This scale reflects the exponential nature of virus transmission, where cases do not increase linearly but rather double at an accelerating rate. The tracker aims to inform people about the severity of the situation without inciting panic. It highlights that most countries are experiencing a doubling of cases every two to four days, similar to the tragic trajectories seen in Italy and Spain. By using this log scale, the tracker emphasizes the inevitability of the spread, helping people understand their current situation and potential future developments in the coming days.