Augie RayAug 24, 2023
In case you wonder how it is the world might have missed a new, concerning #COVID19 variant (BA.2.86) until it had spread to multiple nations, this chart shows you the number of sequences collected by month. We're at the lowest point in three years. Letting our guard down prematurely.
Show threadNicklasllauAug 24, 2023
@augieray
Do you believe countries should go back to masks etc.?
Show threadAugie RayAug 24, 2023
@His I'd be happy with mask mandates on public transportation and in hospitals. But, I don't think any nation is going to go back to mandating masks. So, I'm masking when I'm crowds and opting for outdoor activities.
Show threadNicklasllau

@augieray
My opnion about the whole mask debate is that the people who want to wear it can do so.

E.g. Sweden didn't have mask mandates or lockdown, and they were one of the most successful contries in fighting covid.

Aug 24, 2023 at 9:08pmWeb
Show threadAugie RayAug 25, 2023

@His Why do people come into my thread and post blatantly incorrect information without checking? No, Sweden was NOT successful fighting COVID. Compared to other Nordic nations, which offer the best comparison, Sweden failed miserably. Why not check your info before posting things like this?

https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/coronavirus-data-explorer?zoomToSelection=true&time=2020-03-01..latest&facet=none&uniformYAxis=0&country=DEU~SWE~FIN~DNK~NOR&pickerSort=desc&pickerMetric=total_deaths_per_million&Metric=Confirmed+deaths&Interval=Cumulative&Relative+to+Population=true&Color+by+test+positivity=false

COVID-19 Data Explorer

Explore global data on COVID-19.

Our World in Data
Show threadNicklasllauAug 25, 2023
@augieray
The deaths were among the lowest in Europe, of course if you hand pick som Nordic countries the deaths will be somewhat the same, “failed miserably” the deaths were only a few percent higher than in germany for instance😅😂
Deaths are counted different ways eitherway, so can’t compare like that.
Show threadAugie RayAug 25, 2023
@His So, we shouldn't compare the deaths in Sweden to its neighbors, which are the most comparable in terms of culture and climate? And, you don't believe the death data, anyway. But you're also sure Sweden's policies were better? So, you're interested in reinforcing your opinion, not in being informed. Sorry I responded. You're free to need ignorant, just not in one of my factual threads.
Show threadNicklasllauAug 25, 2023
@augieray
No, not at all, your Germany comparison had almost the same deaths, were they had total lockdown in several months, the economical loss is too big to wory about 1.000 old people who were in critical condition already.
Show threadAugie RayAug 25, 2023

@His Compare the populations of Germany and Sweden. Check out the population of their largest cities. You're comparing apples and oranges.

Entire studies have shown mandates worked. You comparing two different nations doesn't tell the story you think.

Show threadNicklasllauAug 25, 2023
@augieray
You were the one starting to compare, so just showed you how stupid your comparison is.
I believe that the benefit from the masks and the lockdowns doesn’t outweigh the consequences.
Show threadAugie RayAug 25, 2023
@His Dude. I compared Sweden to all its comparable neighbors and demonstrated you're wrong. You're just trying to nitpick two nations' data to prove your incorrect point. Again, the data and analysis is out there if you care to actually learn. Otherwise, we'll just agree to disagree.
Show threadNicklasllauAug 25, 2023
@augieray
I believe that the benefit from the masks and the lockdowns doesn’t outweigh the consequences.
I come from Denmark myself, but that is just my opinion, I think the differences are so small in regards to the VERY BIG consequences we had from lockdowns.
Show threadUrsidinoj/The BjornsdottirsAug 28, 2023
@augieray Consider that @His means something different to what you mean - fighting the perception of covid.
Show threadIdealistic Pragmatist Aug 28, 2023
@His @augieray instablocked.
Show threadDavid CrispinAug 28, 2023
@[email protected] @[email protected] the problem with the "you do you" mauntra is that's not public health. It's the government washing their hands of any responsibility of giving a dam about public health. And as for Sweden, well people are saying it was a success, but musing I've heard is that strategy was a total failure in terms of having a healthy population.
Show threadNicklasllauAug 28, 2023
@david_crispin @augieray
People argue all of the time wether Sweden as a failure or success. Coming from a Nordic country Denmark which had some of the best results here I and lots of scientists believe it was a total success compared to how much they gained from not locking down.
Show threadAugie RayAug 28, 2023

@His @david_crispin No, "lots of scientists" do NOT think Sweden was a success. Repeating a falsehood doesn't make it true.

Study: The Swedish COVID-19 Commission felt that earlier and more extensive pandemic action should have been taken, particularly during the first wave.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/apa.16535

“The lack of accountability reveals a structural political pathology where no one really can be held accountable for the failures and the loss of all too many lives.”
https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/3261549-lessons-to-take-away-from-swedens-controversial-covid-19-strategy-study/