I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
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I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
@augieray
I depend on your COVID reporting as a trusted source.I haven't abandoned my COVID cautions due to your good news.
I do use your new, more positive data to alleviate some of my anxieties about being in public spaces.
Don't let the haters affect your analysis.
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I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
@augieray "Optimism" about covid is able to be, and is, weaponised to oppress immunocompromised people.
It is used as the justification to scale back affordances to protect the vulnerable, and to force those people into situations that are a risk to them, but perhaps not so much for the abled population.
One might argue that expressing optimism about Covid is inherently unethical, and for a doctor, directly contradicts the "do no harm" principle.
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@augieray "Optimism" about covid is able to be, and is, weaponised to oppress immunocompromised people.
It is used as the justification to scale back affordances to protect the vulnerable, and to force those people into situations that are a risk to them, but perhaps not so much for the abled population.
One might argue that expressing optimism about Covid is inherently unethical, and for a doctor, directly contradicts the "do no harm" principle.
@metaning if one can't see improvements in infectious risk as helpful and not harmful to immunocompromised people, that says more about your attitudes than it does the data or the risks.
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@emjonaitis there have been studies that have found their wastewater analysis is very predictive of things like infections and hospitalizations. Besides, if short-term wastewater analysis was suggested something as rising or falling then why wouldn't long term analysis do the same?
@augieray no, it wouldn’t — some processes can be treated as stationary over short intervals but not long ones. For example, if the measurement is affected by seasonality for some reason (eg a dry/wet seasonal pattern in the local climate), that won’t affect comparisons of measurements week to week, but it will affect long range comparisons. N.B. that example is made up; wastewater data analysis is outside my wheelhouse but I know enough statistics to have a sense of what I don’t know, if that makes sense.
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I'm not saying COVID is gone or you shouldn't be cautious. I think it's vital people have the freedom to do what they think is right for their and their families' health. But doing the right thing requires valid information, and I'd hope by providing that, I help people.
COVID is going to surge again. The question is if we'll continue the trend to lower surges and a safer world, or will that reverse? I'll still be watching. I just hope people will accept good news as eagerly as they do bad. 2/2
@augieray Hopefully you're getting an equal amount (or more!) of encouragement, thanks and appreciation. Cause that's what you have from me.
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@metaning if one can't see improvements in infectious risk as helpful and not harmful to immunocompromised people, that says more about your attitudes than it does the data or the risks.
@augieray "Optimism" about covid is what makes it impossible to see a dentist, because their staff may refuse to wear N95 respirators when you have to take yours off, because "Covid is over" and "Covid isn't so bad". Or, get trades in to your house, because even though you supply them with masks, they take them off when you're not looking.
It speaks to your attitude that you're not thinking from the perspective of people less fortunate than you.
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I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
@augieray It’s probably terminally-online doomers that wanted the world to burn. The data is deflating their power fantasy (they’d survive any catastrophe of course) and thus they attack you.
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I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
@augieray Oh, man! You don't deserve this.
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I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
@augieray Mind-boggling. I've seen your stuff being shared here for years, and if anything, you sharing this news should probably be given *extra* weight and cheer.
I'm sorry you're catching hear for it, but I'm glad I saw this post today. I see your posts so often I assumed I was following you, but I realized today I was not. Now rectified.
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I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
@augieray
I’m one who appreciated your concern, and your comprehensive data gathering. And I’m starting to feel a little bit of hope too, at least as far as this summer goes.Sorry you’re getting the negative interactions. There’s loads of us who appreciate what you do.
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I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
@augieray We can use any good news we can get. Keep on bringing it Augie. On the rude ones - mute and block liberally!
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I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
@augieray
Thank you for sharing not only the good news but also the mixed receptions you got for sharing good news.
Like so many replies here, I also was so happy to hear that there is also good news, and I was extra happy because the good news came from a voice I trust because of your exceptionally dedicated service to sharing COVID science. Thank you! -
I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
We appreciate your work! Thank you!
Thanks to those like you I've still never had Covid, and I appreciate everyone who helps keep others safe!
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@augieray I for one immensely appreciate you sharing both the bad and good news. It's definitely been helpful for me, personally. Many thanks.


@buffyleigh @augieray The surges are, IMHO, so much more concerning with context.
This "relapsing-remitting plague" seems designed (I know but it's the best word here; don't @ me) to maximize a false sense of security.
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@augieray "Optimism" about covid is what makes it impossible to see a dentist, because their staff may refuse to wear N95 respirators when you have to take yours off, because "Covid is over" and "Covid isn't so bad". Or, get trades in to your house, because even though you supply them with masks, they take them off when you're not looking.
It speaks to your attitude that you're not thinking from the perspective of people less fortunate than you.
@metaning @augieray Optimism (or pessimism for that matter) about anything can be weaponized by people that want to do as they please.
If anything, a lack of knowledge or empathy from those people is the problem. I don't think they take inspiration from someone being rightfully optimistic about improving COVID risk data to not wear masks. They already didn't do that when people were pessimistic. -
I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
@augieray I've been finding that people are people everywhere: everywhere has echo chambers and tribalism and all that crap.
Mastodon is no different to X or LinkedIn or anywhere else in that regard.
The thing that is different, is the community's conclusions about issues like, say, COVID. You counter the tribal consensus at your peril!
In one sense, humans (generally) don't *want* the scientific approach, because that would force us to update our beliefs, which is hard.
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I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
@augieray I appreciate the info you share & recent trends make me cautiously optimistic. But I think a lot of people have been seriously traumatized after *years* of witnessing/experiencing the death & destruction associated with this virus, unnecessarily compounded/exacerbated by our govts, employers, and many of our neighbors/friends/family. It’s taken a horrible toll. For some, a “rational” response may be impossible to conjure. Still, I’m sorry you’re a target of the distress and distrust.
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I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
@augieray ignore them. If it’s same inputs, it’s all good.
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I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
Well, the facts are the facts, providing evidence and truth can never be wrong.
Please keep on promoting that! Much appreciated! -
I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.
For years, I probed data and shared accurate analysis showing COVID risks were higher than most thought. Many people liked and reposted me.
Today, I share that COVID is far lower than it's been in six years after two years of consecutively declining surges, and people act like I'm a COVID minimizer.
Same guy, same data, same analysis. If you welcomed my concern, I hope you'd equally embrace my optimism. 1/2
@augieray I have a "but what about" which you've probably thought of and addressed already, so I'll scroll your timeline and probably find it.

Edit: yep, found it, the data is based on wastewater analysis, that explains stuff and I don't need to ask you to repeat yourself.