Welcome!

Pandem-ic analyzes the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of the World Bank’s income classification of countries.  Its purpose is to highlight the uneven impact of COVID-19 on developing countries and draw attention to the need for equitable solutions in this interconnected world.

As the epidemiological triad illustrates, pandemics are about viruses (the “external agents”), people (the “susceptible hosts”) and the broader environment that brings both together. The social sciences intersect most strongly with the people and environment dimensions of this triad. The lens of development—the angle of this site—directs attention to the variation in them.  

Why the World Bank’s country income classification? Because it approximates the level of development. The income classification divides countries into buckets by per capita income. These buckets bring into sharper focus how structural differences across buckets raise or diminish the risk of infection, severe sickness or even death and affect the prospect of vaccination.

Pandem-ic also looks at pandemic inequalities across geographical regions. We use the World Bank’s regional classification, which divides the world into 7 regions (again with a focus on development). We also use the M-49 geo-scheme of the United Nations, which divides the world into 22 more granular subregions.

The material on this site is presented in two parts. The first contains trackers by income and region on variables related to vaccination, mortality, severity and infection. These are updated every morning EST time zone. The second part includes various pieces of analysis: descriptive data insights, republished blogs and links to external resources.

I developed this site in a personal capacity. Views are therefore mine and the same goes for any errors and omissions. Comments and suggestions are much appreciated.

Thank you for visiting!

Philip Schellekens