Free online tool for public use to monitor state-related COVID-19 information

CodeX: The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics has officially launched the CoronAtlas dashboard, an online tool for the general public that provides tailored content about COVID-19-related state actions, health metrics, and resources. The project was developed by CodeX Residential Fellow Stephen Caines and CoronAtlas Chief Product Officer, Daniel Carvajal. CoronAtlas was adopted by CodeX in May and expanded to include functions to create a dynamic dashboard at the intersection of government, health, and public interest. The most recent additions include the following:

• State actions on behalf of governors in each state via the National Governors Association 
• Health data automatically collected via the COVID Tracking project API for each jurisdiction covered 
• Tailored resources in a variety of areas that cover current information concerning government, health, housing/evictions, business openings, courts, family/child care, education, employment, elections, and travel 

“We are  excited to offer the CoronAtlas tool to the public as it exemplifies the core goals of CodeX: to advance the frontier of legal technology, bringing new levels of legal efficiency, transparency, and, importantly, access to legal systems and information,” said Roland Vogl, Executive Director, CodeX.. “Many of the access-to-legal information issues we address with this tool particularly apply to vulnerable populations. As the project develops it has the potential to not only assist people in need during this health crisis but may also establish new data standards for the field of law.” 

“At the heart of CoronAtlas is the notion that information regarding state/local action and relevant resources should be free, well-organized, and readily available,” said Caines. 

To access tailored information from a variety of official sources, viewers can select a state from the upper left hand corner of the CoronAtlas and get current information about jurisdiction-specific content. With more than 2,200 unique links, following are some examples of why someone would access critical information via CoronAtlas:

• Concerned citizens trying to find actions taken by the state and local government and up-to-date health information 
• Individuals facing housing instability and evictions who need information and resources 
• Parents and guardians attempting to find child care, respond to shifts in education, and curb food instability
• Business owners seeking economic relief and consumers who may have encountered fraud and are seeking consumer protection assistance
• Legal professionals working within multiple jurisdictions attempting to understand recent shifts in operation/procedure
• Voters trying to find authentic and credible information regarding voting in the 2020 election
• Those interested in election security and becoming a poll worker
• Mindful travelers trying to understand the restrictions and current health realities of their destination
• People seeking immigration information and resources
• Veterans and their families seeking resources
• Survivors of domestic violence looking for state resources and information
• Seniors and their care providers seeking state and local resources 

The CoronAtlas website is frequently updated with additional information. In addition, the developers hope that future iterations will provide more needed content and welcome content suggestions via a form at the bottom of the tool’s homepage. The tool also incorporates information from Stanford Law School’s Legal Design Lab and the Stanford-MIT Healthy Elections Project.

The CoronAtlas project is currently accepting offers for funding, partnerships and collaborations. Potential iterations include greater resource granularity (city/county), increased economic recovery material, and applications for disaster relief. Principal Investigator – Computer Science Professor Michael Geneserth, Project Lead – Residential Fellow Stephen Caines, Chief Product Officer – Daniel Carvajal.

About CodeX

At CodeX, the Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, researchers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and technologists work side-by-side to advance the frontier of legal technology, bringing new levels of legal efficiency, transparency, and access to legal systems around the world. CodeX‘s emphasis is on the research and development of computational law — the branch of legal informatics concerned with the automation and mechanization of legal analysis. 

About Stanford Law School

Stanford Law School is one of the nation’s leading institutions for legal scholarship and education. Its alumni are among the most influential decision makers in law, politics, business, and high technology. Faculty members argue before the Supreme Court, testify before Congress, produce outstanding legal scholarship and empirical analysis, and contribute regularly to the nation’s press as legal and policy experts. Stanford Law School has established a model for legal education that provides rigorous interdisciplinary training, hands-on experience, global perspective and focus on public service, spearheading a movement for change.