Temporal technologies of epidemics.

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Epidemiology
• Sociology of Time

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic is often viewed solely as a crisis.
• This perspective overlooks the intricate temporal dimensions of the pandemic.
• Understanding epidemic temporalities requires new analytical frameworks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the complex temporal synchronizations and de-synchronizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To introduce and define the concept of 'temporal technologies' for epidemic analysis.
• To propose a framework for understanding epidemic experiences through temporal lenses.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of pandemic-related temporalities.
• Introduction of 'temporal technologies' as an analytical tool.
• Examination of synchronization and de-synchronization across human and non-human actors.

Main Results:

• The pandemic induced widespread synchronization and de-synchronization events.
• 'Temporal technologies' regulate and assemble time within human and non-human networks.
• The crisis framing of the pandemic obscures its complex temporal dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Rethinking epidemic experiences requires moving beyond the 'crisis' narrative.
• 'Temporal technologies' offer a valuable framework for analyzing epidemic time.
• Understanding epidemic temporalities is crucial for comprehensive analysis.