Thread by @VirginiaBuysse

Some in the #COVID19 aware community were blocked recently by a long-time stalwart of COVID science and safety because they pushed back on bad optics of a photo showing the person unmasked in a tightly crowded space (reportedly outdoors).

A few thoughts. 🧵 1/

It’s not my intent to demonize the person (w/ over 80K followers) who posted the photo many saw as a betrayal of their COVID aware norms and values. I also won’t come to his defense. He’s a tenured full professor and can manage his Twitter blowback quite well on his own. 2/

But I do want to comment on those in the COVID aware community who were A. disappointed in his tweet, B. showed the courage of their convictions and spoke about it, and C. were blocked for their efforts. 3/

Most of these folks are still being very careful not to get or spread COVID (for their own v good reasons) and the last 3.5 years haven’t been easy, especially for those who have Long COVID or are immunocompromised or disabled. /4

The photo felt like a betrayal to them. Even if you try to rationalize it by saying *we’re in a lull right now* or *they were outside,* the optics are still bad. It’s just another reminder to these folks that their COVID heroes/advocates are leaving their ranks, one by one. /5

Big accounts w/ 10’s of thousands of followers should think about the power differential that exists between themselves and their followers. Stop being so heavy handed with them. When they disagree, instead of blocking, consider listening to them. You might learn something. /End