<![CDATA[I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.]]>I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat 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

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/topic/f9a98202-2f11-4e01-9787-e22827aaa580/i-m-struggling-with-the-criticism-i-m-getting-for-sharing-upbeat-covid19-news.RSS for NodeSat, 30 May 2026 20:01:50 GMTTue, 26 May 2026 15:59:38 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 19:02:07 GMT]]>@disorderlyf
People that thought COVID was over 5 years still believe it's over. They can't be convinced otherwise in my experience.

When /if its finally over, they will say "it was over in 2021" despite all the COVID related deaths and sickness since that time.
@augieray

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://ottawa.place/users/human3500/statuses/116642422933133783https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://ottawa.place/users/human3500/statuses/116642422933133783Tue, 26 May 2026 19:02:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 19:02:07 GMT]]>@augieray I remain a fan of data, optimistic or not. Which is why I remain grateful to you. Thanks, Augie!

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/pattykimura/statuses/116642422965748708https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/pattykimura/statuses/116642422965748708Tue, 26 May 2026 19:02:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 18:58:38 GMT]]>@augieray I've appreciated your many updates.

Local data in my city is also showing declining peaks to the point where there isn't much around.

I still take precautions but fewer than before. It's not gone yet but hopefully will be something we can dismiss more easily than the flu (which was worse than COVID last year in my city).

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://ottawa.place/users/human3500/statuses/116642409224453531https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://ottawa.place/users/human3500/statuses/116642409224453531Tue, 26 May 2026 18:58:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 18:57:36 GMT]]>@augieray

I for one appreciate both what you've done and what you do. Sorry you're going through this.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.saarland/users/fedithom/statuses/116642405215843840https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.saarland/users/fedithom/statuses/116642405215843840Tue, 26 May 2026 18:57:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 18:50:46 GMT]]>@augieray While I disagree with what the extent of your conclusion seemed to be in the previous posts, I do want to stress I don't want you to stop your reporting and appreciate wholeheartedly that you report on wastewater data. My problem was not the data so much as what I'm hoping was merely a lack of clarification and acknowledgement that while there is a light at the end, we're not out of the woods yet.

It's entirely possible in hindsight I misinterpreted your posts as being a lot more callous than they actually were. In which case, my concern remains the potential for inadvertent supply of ammunition to people who think COVID was "over" as early as 2021 when we're only just now in late May 2026 getting evidence that we're maybe finally close to that point.

edited to fix a grammatical oddity and make my point clearer (hopefully)

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://todon.eu/ap/users/115601049471092408/statuses/116642378292012440https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://todon.eu/ap/users/115601049471092408/statuses/116642378292012440Tue, 26 May 2026 18:50:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 18:28:13 GMT]]>@augieray Where are these people who are criticizing you - another platform? You certainly don’t deserve it, and all the Mastodon comments look positive…

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/QuercusMacrocarpa/statuses/116642289664759372https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/QuercusMacrocarpa/statuses/116642289664759372Tue, 26 May 2026 18:28:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 18:26:25 GMT]]>@augieray Good news is good news. I sensed that Covid is down to a "dull roar," from the wastewater reports and decrease in fatalities.

Thank you for your work.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.linux.pizza/users/c_merriweather/statuses/116642282580435304https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.linux.pizza/users/c_merriweather/statuses/116642282580435304Tue, 26 May 2026 18:26:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 18:25:10 GMT]]>@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.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.ie/users/davey_cakes/statuses/116642277647480840https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.ie/users/davey_cakes/statuses/116642277647480840Tue, 26 May 2026 18:25:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 18:19:53 GMT]]>@augieray

Well, the facts are the facts, providing evidence and truth can never be wrong.
Please keep on promoting that! Much appreciated!

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/xs4me2/statuses/116642256877509673https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/xs4me2/statuses/116642256877509673Tue, 26 May 2026 18:19:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 18:13:41 GMT]]>@augieray ignore them. If it’s same inputs, it’s all good.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://infosec.exchange/users/graymattergrcltd/statuses/116642232487420955https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://infosec.exchange/users/graymattergrcltd/statuses/116642232487420955Tue, 26 May 2026 18:13:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:56:29 GMT]]>@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.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/AchillesTang/statuses/116642164857632415https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/AchillesTang/statuses/116642164857632415Tue, 26 May 2026 17:56:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:54:57 GMT]]>@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.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mas.to/users/discobeez/statuses/116642158832743512https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mas.to/users/discobeez/statuses/116642158832743512Tue, 26 May 2026 17:54:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:44:07 GMT]]>@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.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/amosmulder/statuses/116642116211226593https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/amosmulder/statuses/116642116211226593Tue, 26 May 2026 17:44:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:43:33 GMT]]>@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.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://cosocial.ca/users/mce/statuses/116642114039214162https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://cosocial.ca/users/mce/statuses/116642114039214162Tue, 26 May 2026 17:43:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:38:38 GMT]]>@augieray

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!

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/darwinwoodka/statuses/116642094651885396https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/darwinwoodka/statuses/116642094651885396Tue, 26 May 2026 17:38:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:37:42 GMT]]>@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!

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.online/users/bladderbot/statuses/116642090990372005https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.online/users/bladderbot/statuses/116642090990372005Tue, 26 May 2026 17:37:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:21:57 GMT]]>@augieray We can use any good news we can get. Keep on bringing it Augie. On the rude ones - mute and block liberally!

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/Alison/statuses/116642029051924984https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/Alison/statuses/116642029051924984Tue, 26 May 2026 17:21:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:17:42 GMT]]>@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.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.ie/users/shezza_t/statuses/116642012337026781https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.ie/users/shezza_t/statuses/116642012337026781Tue, 26 May 2026 17:17:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:12:34 GMT]]>@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.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/maxleibman/statuses/116641992205797149https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/maxleibman/statuses/116641992205797149Tue, 26 May 2026 17:12:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:10:21 GMT]]>@augieray Oh, man! You don't deserve this.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/DziadekMick/statuses/116641983472238882https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.social/users/DziadekMick/statuses/116641983472238882Tue, 26 May 2026 17:10:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:10:14 GMT]]>@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.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/raz2701/statuses/116641982960800689https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/raz2701/statuses/116641982960800689Tue, 26 May 2026 17:10:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:04:05 GMT]]>@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.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/metaning/statuses/116641958824703939https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/metaning/statuses/116641958824703939Tue, 26 May 2026 17:04:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 17:02:05 GMT]]>@augieray Hopefully you're getting an equal amount (or more!) of encouragement, thanks and appreciation. Cause that's what you have from me.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/Wildflower01/statuses/116641950964373947https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/Wildflower01/statuses/116641950964373947Tue, 26 May 2026 17:02:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news. on Tue, 26 May 2026 16:58:41 GMT]]>@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.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mathstodon.xyz/users/emjonaitis/statuses/116641937608236181https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mathstodon.xyz/users/emjonaitis/statuses/116641937608236181Tue, 26 May 2026 16:58:41 GMT