I'm struggling with the criticism I'm getting for sharing upbeat #COVID19 news.

[discobeez@mas.to]

@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.

[achillestang@mastodon.social]

@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.

[graymattergrcltd@infosec.exchange]

@augieray ignore them. If it’s same inputs, it’s all good.

[xs4me2@mastodon.social]

@augieray

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

[davey_cakes@mastodon.ie]

@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.

[c_merriweather@social.linux.pizza]

@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.

[quercusmacrocarpa@mastodon.social]

@augieray Where are these people who are criticizing you - another platform? You certainly don’t deserve it, and all the Mastodon comments look positive…

[disorderlyf@todon.eu]

@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)

[fedithom@social.saarland]

@augieray

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

[human3500@ottawa.place]

@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).

#COVID19

[pattykimura@beige.party]

@augieray I remain a fan of data, optimistic or not. Which is why I remain grateful to you. Thanks, Augie!

[human3500@ottawa.place]

@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