1/ Be *ALERT* when you see rising case numbers, but be *ALARMED* when POSITIVITY is high.
As testing throughput increases the number to focus on is the test positive rate: [# COVID POSITIVE] / [TOTAL TESTS].
If POSITIVITY is high & increasing, you have no excuse but to ACT.
As testing throughput increases the number to focus on is the test positive rate: [# COVID POSITIVE] / [TOTAL TESTS].
If POSITIVITY is high & increasing, you have no excuse but to ACT.
2/ There's a talking point going around which says: "as you test more, of course, you'll find more cases".
That's not true. A state that has the virus in retreat will find fewer cases overall as it tests more.
That's when POSITIVITY % is low & decreasing.
That's not true. A state that has the virus in retreat will find fewer cases overall as it tests more.
That's when POSITIVITY % is low & decreasing.
3/ For example, compare two states with similar populations. Arizona and New Jersey.
For every 100 tests in AZ, they are finding 26 people with COVID. For every 100 tests in NJ, they are finding 1 person with COVID.
NJ also conducts almost double the number of tests than AZ.
For every 100 tests in AZ, they are finding 26 people with COVID. For every 100 tests in NJ, they are finding 1 person with COVID.
NJ also conducts almost double the number of tests than AZ.
4/ When POSITIVITY % is high & trend is increasing, it means the spread in a state is uncontrolled. For every test you conduct, you find cases at even a faster rate.
When the news reports case numbers, it needs to include positivity rate and trend. It paints the full picture.
When the news reports case numbers, it needs to include positivity rate and trend. It paints the full picture.
5/ What is terrifying is that only 1 governor in the 8 highest positivity states we are tracking has used their position in office to mandate masks state-wide.
It's the simplest, cheapest, and quickest intervention we have in this fight.
It's the simplest, cheapest, and quickest intervention we have in this fight.
6/ Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, & South Carolina you need to ACT. In the time it takes to read this tweet thread, you have the ability to authorize a mask mandate.
Need a template? Do it right, @sfgov has a good one: sf.gov/information/ma…
Need a template? Do it right, @sfgov has a good one: sf.gov/information/ma…
7/ As always, we'll keep updating covidexitstrategy.org.
You can:
(1) Reach out to your state & community leaders and advocate for the actions they should be taking.
(2) If you see data that needs to be updated, tell us.
We can stop the spread together 💪🏾
You can:
(1) Reach out to your state & community leaders and advocate for the actions they should be taking.
(2) If you see data that needs to be updated, tell us.
We can stop the spread together 💪🏾
