MasqApr 1, 2024
Augie Ray
One of the health experts I follow is Dr. Sean Mullen. He is an Associate Professor within the Kinesiology & Community Health Department at the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign. He has a frightening but thoughtful #COVID19 message worth reading today on Twitter:
Mar 31, 2024 at 3:09pmWeb
Show threadAugie RayMar 31, 2024

BTW, if you're the kind of person who sees a post like Sean Mullen's and needs to see data, here you go. A recent study in Canada found a significant statistical association between the number of self-reported #COVID19 infections and adults with long-term symptoms.

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/75-006-x/2023001/article/00015-eng.pdf?st=MAwDkJug

Show threadIdealistic Pragmatist Mar 31, 2024
@augieray I too thought that was well articulated.
Show threadCubeOfCheeseMar 31, 2024
@augieray I can't tell if this is a hypothetical to prove a point or if it's reflective of Covid's statistical effects. It seems like the former
Show threadAugie RayMar 31, 2024
@cubeofcheese I don't think it's fully one or the other. He says to set aside COVID (so it's hypothetical), but he is guesstimating the impact of repeated COVID infections (based on the StatCan data, as far as I can tell.)
Show threadsabikApr 1, 2024

@augieray @cubeofcheese
Could also be from a 10-20% per-infection rate, as reported for children in the recent review article; extrapolating that to 4 infections gives 34-59% (very roughly!)

Or it's based on the colloquial ⅙

That's assuming each infection is an independent risk, which is quite a big assumption, but also consistent with what data we do have (albeit mostly for adults)

Show threadsabikApr 1, 2024
@augieray @cubeofcheese
The one number I can't find a basis for is "10× over the course of K-12"; I thought it was double that, but I can't find a good number anywhere
Show threadSFborn1940Mar 31, 2024
@augieray Portable air purification is compromised if the room it is used in is a part of the building HVAC system.
With this system air is circulated throughout the building with minimal filtrations. This negates the effect of portable purification devices. Hospitals use large, effective HEPA filters in their HVAC systems.
This is the only way to effectively clean the air used throughout a facility.
Show threadAugie RayMar 31, 2024
@trainman I do not believe you are totally correct. While circulating air throughout the building would decrease the effectiveness of portable air purification, anything that helps to filter air in a small area like a classroom will improve safety. I am not sure how much that declines, but I would very much hesitate to discourage people from using or promoting the use of air filters.
Show threadSFborn1940Mar 31, 2024
@augieray Hospitals use portable HEPA filters in private rooms. These filters are very large and 99.5% efficient.
I doubt that the small tabletop filters sold for home use are very effective, but something is better than nothing, I suppose.
Show threadGeorge SteelMar 31, 2024
@trainman @augieray According to an old NHS study, even putting a few of the cheapest portable filters in every classroom in a school makes a huge difference to infection rates.
Show threadsabikApr 1, 2024

@trainman @augieray
Yeah, the small table-top filters are about the right size for a passenger car, at best

On the other hand, if each room has an appropriately-sized HEPA filter for the room running, HVAC circulating the air isn't a problem

Show threadGeorge SteelMar 31, 2024
@trainman @augieray Protable air filters used in every room of a building with a big HVAC system are very effective.
Show threadDavid ElfstromApr 1, 2024
@trainman @augieray No. In-room air cleaners add to overall effectiveness. See ASHRAE Standard 241, Control of Infectious Aerosols. Read-only version available at https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/standards-and-guidelines/read-only-versions-of-ashrae-standards
Read-Only Versions of ASHRAE Standards

Learn more about Read-Only Versions of ASHRAE Standards at ashrae.org

Show threadSFborn1940Apr 1, 2024
@DavidElfstrom @augieray Yes, if the filter is tested to meet applicable ASHRAE standards.
Show threadJustKathyMar 31, 2024

@augieray

If these people don't "believe" in the science behind masking and vaccinations, then why would they be demanding portable air purification devices? If they knew the infections were airborne, why not wear masks in the first place? What would air purification devices do, when these people don't understand how airborne diseases spread?

Science has no place in the minds of the irrational and the science-illiterates.

Show threadAugie RayMar 31, 2024
@KathyLK You seem to think most people are not masking because they are science illiterates. I know MANY people who believe in science but think COVID is no longer a serious risk, because that's what the media and CDC have told them. Posts like this may help make more aware and change minds.
Show threadcognitively accessible mathMar 31, 2024
@augieray @KathyLK It's human psychology to go wtih the flow. That's how leaders lead; there's collective energy and consensus.
Our leaders have failed with this so we have to do our best to collect the energy we can.
Show threadGunChleocApr 1, 2024
@geonz @augieray @KathyLK Also, having to wear a mask all day for 12+ years can be exhausting, and difficult to do especially for small children.
Show threadsabikApr 1, 2024
@gunchleoc @geonz @augieray @KathyLK
More generally, there's a hierarchy of hazard controls, and PPE is at the very lowest layer
Show threadsabikApr 1, 2024

@gunchleoc @geonz @augieray @KathyLK
Specifically for schools, there are no P2 masks certified for children, because we're not meant to send children into situations where they'd need them

Children are also commonly expected to eat lunch indoors at school

Show threadEllenor Bjornsdottir   Aug 17, 2024
@sabik @gunchleoc @geonz @augieray @KathyLK Se ni devus ne igi neplenkreskulojn fari agojn, kiuj devigas ilin surhavi spirmaskojn - kial ni ankoraŭ igas ilin iri lernejen?
Show threadsabikAug 17, 2024
@ellenor @gunchleoc @augieray @geonz @KathyLK
Ideally, we'd make the schools safe (all of them, not just those for the elites)
Show threadEllenor Bjornsdottir   Aug 17, 2024
@sabik @gunchleoc @augieray @geonz @KathyLK Igi lernejojn sekuraj devigas ke la klasanoj surhavu spirmaskojn. Ne eblas scii, kiu havas la viruson.
Show threadsabikAug 17, 2024

@ellenor @gunchleoc @augieray @geonz @KathyLK
A lot can be done with clean air — that's potentially entirely invisible, hidden in the walls; at a minimum, fairly unobtrusive

If it's done through ventilation, it'll also control CO₂ levels, which have a direct impact on learning

If it turns out we do need respirators in schools, we need ones designed, tested and certified for children

Show threadJustKathyApr 1, 2024

@sabik @gunchleoc @geonz @augieray

The GOP seems to do everything in its power to see that the hazards are not removed, and in fact, are spread. If there is any difference at all between the Democrats and the Republicans, it's that the Democrats want to save lives, while the GOP wants to take lives.

Show threadcognitively accessible mathApr 1, 2024
@gunchleoc @augieray @KathyLK Lots of things can be difficult! Which is also why other things should be being done by leaders.
Show threadGunChleocApr 1, 2024
@geonz @augieray @KathyLK Yep. There is no one, fast, simple solution. We need multiple measures to work together, because nothing will give 100% protection on its own.
Show threadJoe Hill 🇵🇸🇺🇦Mar 31, 2024
@augieray
The ruling class is working on creating a menial labor caste, akin to the “Delta Minuses” in Huxley’s Brave New World.
Show threadAviva GaryMar 31, 2024
@augieray is very good
Show threadCurt ThomasMar 31, 2024
@augieray for my part, I'm just so exhausted with it. I can't even talk about my time dealing with it as a paramedic without some fucking dope telling me I'm making it up. Then you've got the cohort that insists we'll never lock down again for anything, not even something really really bad, like a resurrected smallpox, because staying indoors was just that terrible (?!). And on and on and on. I'm just disgusted with the whole thing.
Show threadEniko (moved ➡ gamedev.place)Apr 1, 2024
@conditional_soup @augieray any time someone talks about "the lockdowns" I say, as someone who lived in Missouri then, what fucking lockdowns?
Show threadValley of the DragonMar 31, 2024
@augieray I don't put much stock in the words of scientists still posting on X. Shows a lack of good judgement.
Show threadAbsintheApr 1, 2024
@augieray
Peanut in snacks? HORROR!
Long term debilitating conditions? FREEDOM!
@kaffando
Show threadMr. Foxe.Apr 1, 2024
@augieray Agreed, they are fighting against Measles vaccines here, U.S. and others, it's bananas... nearly all pushed by pseudo Christian groups/churches, it's like they want a plague.. what's the point? They can always get more sheep but the opponents will lose a few? Ha ha we got a few of you! WTF. I think we are far enough along to refuse entry to unvaxxed for music and sports events, quick jab and scan, not vaccinated for Measles? Covid, Chicken pox, whatever, no entry. "but my rights!"