@augieray@mastodon.social
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

augieray

@augieray@mastodon.social

VP/Analyst of #CustomerExperience (#CX) research and advisory. Analyst by nature, not just by profession. Politically active to foster a world that has more #equity, respects #diversity, and embraces #progressive causes. Promoting #COVID19 awareness and caution because people, businesses, and the economy will suffer years of consequences for our failures to control the virus. Milwaukee, WI, US (He/Him)

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augieray, to random
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I still don't trust gyms enough to use them, even when #COVID19 is low. Here's why: I ran an experiment in my home office using my CO2 monitor. I did my daily high-intensity exercise in the sealed room at 7:30. Then I let it air out and worked quietly in the same sealed room starting at 8:30. It took:

  • Less than 20 minutes of exercise for CO2 to rise from 600 to 1200.
  • Almost 2 hours of working at my desk to rise from 670 to 1270.

(1/2)

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

CO2 levels tell us how much air is rebreathed and is a proxy for infection risks in spaces shared with others. If one person working out in a 250-square-foot room can cause CO2 to go from safe to poor in just 20 minutes, what can a roomful of exercising people do to risks in a gym? Perhaps some have upgraded air filtration and ventilation, but without CO2 monitoring, I just wouldn't trust it. (2/2)

#COVID19

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

@osma @ndw That is correct. I wish the Aranet4 device was a little smaller, but it really does the job.

augieray, to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

Some flawed "research" suggesting masks don't work circulated last week. This new STUDY tells the truth:

  1. and other respiratory pathogens have airborne transmission.
  2. Masks are, if correctly and consistently worn, effective in reducing transmission of respiratory diseases and show a dose-response effect.
  3. Respirators are significantly more effective than medical or cloth masks.
  4. Mask mandates are effective in reducing community transmission.
    Duh!

https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/cmr.00124-23

augieray, to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

A policy analysis finds that the US CDC:

Downplays the serious impacts and aerosol transmission risks of ,

Has aligned public guidance with commercial and political interests over scientific evidence, and

Focuses on individual choice rather than emphasizing prevention and equity.
(1/2)

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

"Because emerging variants can already evade existing vaccines and treatments and can be disabling and lacks definitive treatment, multifaceted, sustainable approaches to the pandemic are essential to protect people, the economy, and future generations."

https://www.ajpmfocus.org/article/S2773-0654(24)00026-9/fulltext#%20

augieray, to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

A lovely tune from Alexi Murdoch entitled "Orange Sky." I heard this song while driving 20 years ago and pulled over so I could write down the name.

Well, I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my brother and my sister standing by

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOBWSb14wrU

augieray, to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

“The greatest wealth is health,”

Roman poet Virgil said this over 2,000 years ago. For some reason, it seems an awful lot of people need to be reminded of this in 2024.

The rise of Long we experienced after the holiday surge has diminished back to 2023 levels. Still, more than 1 in 20 American adults reported symptoms of Long COVID in April. More than 1 in 25 experience activity limitations from . And 1 of every 83 have significant limitations.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/pulse/long-covid.htm

augieray, to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

This will end well:

Spain reintroduces mask rules in health centers amid a rise in : https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/spain-brings-back-face-mask-rules-amid-covid-and-flu-spike-across-popular-holiday-spots/ar-AA1mLC5b

Next week, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour arrives in Madrid for two huge concerts. Many Swifties who attended her packed Paris shows have reported contracting COVID. https://archive.ph/sMxMi

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

@teotwaki @cstross Sorry. Hope you're feeling better and not suffering lingering consequences.

augieray, to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

We are losing SOME tools to track @Covid19's rise and fall, but we still have good data. Biobot is diminishing its COVID data and the CDC is no longer requiring hospitalization data. But:

NWSS tracks COVID in wastewater (albeit a bit slow to update): https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-nationaltrend.html

Positive rate of testing (a biased but useful signal) can be tracked:
https://www.walgreens.com/healthcare-solutions/covid-19-index
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_testpositivity_00

The Household Pulse survey tracks those reporting Long COVID symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/pulse/long-covid.htm

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

@eladnarra That's true, but since biobot has been getting thinner, the comparisons to earlier periods are less relevant. Besides, comparing where we are to two years ago is less important than where we are to last month and where we'll be next month.

augieray, to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

New STUDY of in children finds that “Both children with and without CHDs (Congenital Heart Defects) showed increased risks for a variety of cardiovascular outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection, underscoring the need for targeted monitoring and management in the post-acute phase.” Kids with and without CHDs saw a 63% higher risk of cardiovascular risks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.05.14.24307380v1

augieray, to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

STUDY finds that those with have a 73% higher risk of a new diagnosis of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. “All major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events considered showed a significantly higher risk in COVID-19 individuals.” Risks were highest in the first year but “remained significantly higher than in the COVID-19-free patients throughout the 3 years.”

https://academic.oup.com/cardiovascres/article-abstract/120/6/623/7631430?login=false

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

@gueuledatmosphere Almost every study ends with a statement such as that, yet so little is acted upon.

augieray, to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

A beautiful and wistful new song from Lake Street Dive. The whole band is great, but this tune is just Akie Bermiss on piano and the unmistakable Rachael Price singing.

And although the stories that I tell myself about us now
Don't take me to the grave
I'll be an old woman with somebody else by my side
But I will always be in love with you in my memories
When we werе twenty-five

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuEDrW6NY8Q

augieray, to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

I'm astounded at how common Long COVID is, how little we talk about it, and how many ignore what it means. Discussions I've had in the past two weeks because I probed topics:

  • Guy tells me his wife has Long COVID for a year. A week later, he posts photos from a crowded, indoor concert.

  • Friend tells me he's had mild Long COVID for 2 years. Also says he's "moved on" and doesn't consider COVID risks any longer.

This is not going to end well. Here's what I foresee in the future: (1/3)

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

Barring a change in vaccine effectiveness or #COVID19 mutation, my fear is:

  • Multiple new variant-induced waves each year
  • Decreasing adoption of new vaccines
  • A giant holiday surge every year that almost everyone ignores
  • That surge will cause a significant rise in Long COVID (as we've seen in 2024) (2/3)
augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar
  • Eventually, we'll discover we can't ignore the damage caused by repeated reinfections. Many will find out, too late, they've suffered chronic damage to their brains, hearts and immune systems that permanently affects their health, ability to work, and enjoyment of life. There will be no going back. Tens of millions will suffer limits to their activity, worse health, a decline in their productivity, and shorter lives. All of which is preventable if we only cared about a little more.
augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

@samohTmaS I disagree. I speak to a COVID-cautious community that has fewer infections. When I say it is preventable, I mean it on a personal level, not population level. We CAN reduce our risks if we care too.

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

@samohTmaS Don't make me block you. I am tired of getting shit from people about my COVID posts--particularly people who are also COVID cautious. Stop telling people their actions don't matter because you think their ability to limit risks is in the past tense. I'm tired of BS like that. Think carefully if you find my posts useful before you reply.

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

@AutisticMumTo3 I agree. And I'm upset that the Biden administration isn't doing more. But I am constantly reminded about how much worse it can be for the uninsured and poor if we allow Trump and the GOP to win. I'd rather have disappointing and better in office than uncaring and disastrous.

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

@samohTmaS Okay, then I'll block you. Hey, look at that, I still have all my sight, all my data, and all my logic without listening to people like you.

I think you are damaging people's health with talk like that. People who WERE cautious are drifting away every day--plenty of polls say that. People like you make it worse.

You don't need my posts, and I certainly don't need your replies. best of luck.

augieray, (edited ) to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

My new four-minute post on #COVID19. The current situation, what's happening this spring, the risks ahead, and the considerable risks of repeated infections everyone is ignoring.

https://medium.com/

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

@ABScientist

In the absence of knowing the answer to that question, you have a choice: Ignore the potential risks or act with caution because we don't know.

Given that we know repeated infections DO raise risks, there is every reason to think someone with two infections is better off without three or four.

I don't expect completely to avoid a reinfection forever. I am trying to have 50 to 75% fewer infections than most others, and I'll hope that's good enough. Because, what's the choice?

augieray, to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

I understand the frustration with Biden over Gaza. But you have two choices in November. If you care about Palestinians and Gaza & cannot vote FOR Biden, then vote AGAINST the party that wants to ...

Deport pro-Palestinian protesters (https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-05-13/ty-article/.premium/trump-ramps-up-campus-protests-over-israel-as-a-key-campaign-issue-against-biden/0000018f-71b4-d7ad-abdf-f5befa1a0000)

Allow Israel to use nuclear weapons in Gaza (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/lindsey-graham-gaza-israel-hiroshima-b2544204.html)

Force Biden to stop trying to limit Israel's aggression (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/16/us/politics/house-bill-reverse-israel-arms-pause.html)

If you care about Palestinians, you want to help Biden win, not Trump.

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

@MaierAmsden That is much how I feel. I hope for better for Biden. But for as much I wish Biden did better for Palestinians, I will NOT throw all Muslims, people of color, journalists, Democrats, LGBTQ, and women under the bus just because I'm unhappy with Biden's efforts for Gaza,

augieray, to random
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

Greg Abbott just pardoned a man who posed he was going to kill Black Lives Matter protesters and claim self-defense, then killed a BLM protester and claimed self-defense but was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

North Carolina Republicans are advancing a bill to ban masks in public, even for those with legitimate health reasons and concerns to wear them.

(1/4)

augieray,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

@susankayequinn That was from 2016. But you can find plenty of newer recommendations against drinking raw milk from scientific resources and experts.

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