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Dr. Lucky Tran Profile picture
Dr. Lucky Tran
@luckytran
📢 Public Health, Climate Justice, and Science Communication 🎓 Columbia, Cornell, Cambridge, Adelaide ➡️ Find me on other websites: https://t.co/yvBIYKMcGF
Ross Grayson, MPH, CIH Profile picture Diana Roby Profile picture Perpetual Mind Profile picture Aviva Gabriel Profile picture Movement As Muse (curated by SusanDavisCushing) Profile picture 11 subscribed
Apr 7 • 11 tweets • 3 min read
UPDATE: COVID wastewater levels are low in most US states.

If you've been holding off on healthcare or other activities, now is one of the best times of the year to go.

Note that even in low periods you are still at risk of COVID exposure, so it makes sense to take precautions. Chart: COVID-19 Wastewater Levels by US State (April 2024) Please note that the above chart is with the proper color scheme for COVID wastewater levels (darker shade = higher levels). Apologies for the color error in the last export!
Apr 5 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
CDC's recommendations for the public re: bird flu outbreak in the US

1️⃣ Avoid being near sick or dead animals and contaminated surfaces
2️⃣ Wear respiratory or eye protection if you are near
3️⃣ Do not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked food such as raw milk or raw cheeses Recommendations for the Public People should avoid being near sick or dead animals or surfaces contaminated with the animal’s feces, litter, raw milk, or other byproducts when not wearing respiratory or eye protection. Animals in which HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection has been identified include wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals (including livestock such as cattle and goats). As always, people should not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked food or related uncooked food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk or raw cheeses, from animals... CDC's recommendations for farmers re: bird flu outbreak in the US

1️⃣ Wear N95 respirators, eye protection, and gloves, and wash hands to reduce risk of infection when handling animals
2️⃣Train workers to use PPE correctly Recommendations for Farmers; Poultry, Backyard Bird Flock, and Livestock Owners; and Worker Protection To reduce the risk of HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection, poultry farmers and poultry workers, backyard bird flock owners, livestock farmers and workers, veterinarians and veterinary staff, and responders should wear recommended PPE (e.g., the same PPE is recommended for persons exposed to any confirmed or potentially infected animals as for exposed poultry workers; for specific recommendations see: PPE recommended for poultry workers). This includes wearing an N95™ filtering facepiece respirat...
Mar 27 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
“People who are still taking COVID precautions seriously have every right to be angry about being abandoned by public-health officials and experts. The very real pain that many people are experiencing has not been sufficiently acknowledged.” -me to @TIME

time.com/6960789/covid-… Thank you to @Jamie_Ducharme for covering and including the much needed perspectives of some of the people who continue to be most impacted by the pandemic in this piece.

Mar 27 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
White people in the West: "People are too tired to keep wearing masks."

Meanwhile, Thailand:

For those who haven't been following the data, surveys consistently show that white people are far less likely to wear masks than people of color.
Mar 18 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
There's a lot of misinformation and little data in this piece on COVID and schools.

The facts:
COVID spread in schools
Closing schools reduced COVID spread
High levels of sickness have forced school closures
Millions of kids have Long COVID
245K kids lost parents to COVID What the Data Says About Pandemic School Closures, Four Years Later The more time students spent in remote instruction, the further they fell behind. And, experts say, extended closures did little to stop the spread of Covid. Many reviews like this one from the Royal Society found that closing schools reduced COVID spread, and are most effective when there is community wide social distancing and layered measures. royalsociety.org/news-resources…
Mar 13 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
A new @pewresearch survey shows that people of color continue to be more concerned than white people about becoming sick from COVID-19, and spreading COVID-19 to other people. Pew research chart showing % of U.S. adults who say they are very/somewhat concerned that they: - Will get COVID-19 and require hospitalization - Might unknowingly spread COVID-19 to others The @pewresearch survey also shows that people with lower incomes are more concerned than people with higher incomes about becoming sick from COVID-19, and spreading COVID-19 to other people. Pew research chart showing % of U.S. adults who say they are very/somewhat concerned that they: - Will get COVID-19 and require hospitalization - Might unknowingly spread COVID-19 to others
Mar 10 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
“In the earliest days of the AIDS crisis, America ignored the problem, even though people were dropping dead by the thousands.

We’re repeating the mistake now with long COVID.”

Thank you @njdotcom editorial board 👏

nj.com/opinion/2024/0… “Living with AIDS in this country is like living in the twilight zone,” he said of an indifferent public. “It isn’t happening to them. They’re walking the streets as though we weren’t living through some sort of nightmare.” The Twilight Zone For those with long COVID, it feels like they’re living in a totally different reality than the rest of this country, they say – one that’s largely invisible. Millions have disappeared from their active lives like ghosts, and for the most part, nobody noticed. It has echoes of a 1988 speech by Vito Russo, of the AIDS activist group ACT UP: “Living with AIDS in this country is like living in the twilight zone,” he said of an indifferent public. “It isn’t happening to them. They’re walking the streets as though we weren’t living through some sort of nightmare.”
Mar 4 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
I see experts using this logic to excuse bad CDC guidelines. What they miss:

1️⃣ Behavioral science suggests weak guidelines make it LESS likely people will test or mask

2️⃣ Guidelines affect policy, this makes it LESS likely govs increase sick leave & give out free masks/tests If no one is isolating, what makes you think they are going to test or wear a mask? When they hear that guidelines have been downgraded to the same level as the flu, this gives people a green light to ignore COVID completely.
Mar 1 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
It’s official: The CDC has weakened its COVID isolation guidelines, in a move that goes against the science, encourages disease spread, and prioritizes corporate interests, making it easier for bosses to exploit workers.

Link: wapo.st/49zV8ZZ
Washington Post: CDC officially drops five-day covid isolation guidelines One of the excuses the CDC is giving for weakening its COVID isolation guidelines is that the new ones are "easier to follow."

But when your guidelines go against the science, you aren't "simplifying" them, you are promoting misinformation. “Our goal here is to protect those at risk for severe illness while also reassuring folks that these recommendations are simple, clear, easy-to-understand and can be followed,” CDC Director Mandy Cohen said during a media briefing Friday. The change, she added, “reflects the progress we’ve made in protecting against severe illness from covid.”
Feb 20 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
Latest Biobot data shows U.S. COVID wastewater levels are rising again, and higher than they have ever been compared to the same date in previous years.

In other words, COVID levels are still high and taking longer to go down after this winter's peak. Keep taking precautions. Chart of U.S. COVID wastewater levels from Biobot data This chart compares U.S. COVID wastewater levels from each year. It shows that COVID wastewater levels are higher in February 2024 than they have ever been compared to February in previous years of the pandemic, when COVID levels fell more quickly after the winter peak. Chart comparing U.S. COVID wastewater levels from each year, using data from Biobot.
Feb 13 • 10 tweets • 3 min read
The CDC wants to stop telling people to isolate for five days when they are sick with COVID. This is a reckless, anti-public health policy that contravenes science, increases disease spread, and puts everyone at greater risk. 🧵 The Washington Post: CDC plans to drop five-day covid isolation guidelines Americans who test positive for the coronavirus no longer need to routinely stay home from work and school for five days under new guidance planned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The truth is COVID is still killing and disabling way too many people, and too many are locked out of society and can’t even access medical care safely due to high levels of COVID transmission. We still need strong isolation guidelines and better public health protections. /2
Feb 9 • 4 tweets • 1 min read

CNBC: 1918 flu pandemic boosted support for the Nazis, Fed study claims High death tolls from the 1918 influenza pandemic likely helped the Nazis gain power in “crucial” German elections, according to new research. In a staff report published on Monday, researchers from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that German regions with higher mortality rates from the virus had a higher vote share for the Nazi Party in the elections of 1932 and 1933. Using regional data on fatalities and historical voting figures, the study found that the share of votes won by the Nazis was higher where ... Source: cnbc.com/2020/05/06/191…
Feb 1 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
According to a new study, up to 75% of adults have concealed an infectious disease from others in order not to miss work, travel, or social events. Unacceptable behavior. cidrap.umn.edu/misc-emerging-… This is also why we need better structural supports like increased paid sick days. There are many people who want to do the right thing and stay home when they are sick, but can’t afford to miss work.
Jan 24 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
Latest data from the CDC: Only 21.5% of US adults have gotten their updated COVID vaccine. Chart: Cumulative Percentage of Adults 18 Years and Older Vaccinated with the Updated 2023-24 COVID-19 Vaccine Data Source: National Immunization Survey-Adult COVID Module Only 6.8% of people who are uninsured have gotten their updated COVID vaccine, compared with 23.5% of people who have insurance.

Despite there being a bridge program for people who are uninsured, this illustrates the problems of access and the update COVID vaccine rollout. Chart: Cumulative Percentage of Adults 18 Years and Older Vaccinated with the Updated 2023-24 COVID-19 Vaccine Data Source: National Immunization Survey-Adult COVID Module
Jan 23 • 11 tweets • 3 min read
This month, advocates have gotten officials to:

➡️Do PSAs on masks and clean air
➡️Distribute free N95s
➡️Issue masking guidelines
➡️Reintroduce mask requirements in hospitals
➡️Hold a Senate hearing on Long COVID
➡️Halt CDC's plan to weaken infection control

Advocacy works! ➡️Do PSAs on masks
Jan 23 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
CDC advisers planned to put out weakened hospital infection control guidelines, which suggested that N95 respirators are no more protective than surgical masks.

Advocates pushed back, and now the CDC are reconsidering and sending the draft back for revision!
Based on the significant interest in the draft recommendations, CDC is taking a proactive step of communicating back to HICPAC some initial questions and comments on which we would like additional consideration before submitting the guideline into the Federal Register for public comment. In addition, CDC is working to expand the scope of technical backgrounds of participants on the HICPAC Isolation Guideline Workgroup and eventually among the committee members through established processes in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) regulations and guidance. The expanded wo...
Another issue relevant to preventing transmission through air is to make sure that a draft set of recommendations cannot be misread to suggest equivalency between facemasks and NIOSH Approved respirators, which is not scientifically correct nor the intent of the draft language. Although masks can provide some level of filtration, the level of filtration is not comparable to NIOSH Approved respirators. Respiratory protection remains an important part of personal protective equipment to keep healthcare personnel safe. Source: CDC - A CDC Update on the Draft 2024 Guideline to Prevent Transmission of Pathogens in Healthcare Settings blogs.cdc.gov/safehealthcare…
Jan 5 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
UPDATE: The CDC just updated its COVID wastewater data.

COVID wastewater levels continue to rise, exceeding levels at the same time last year. COVID wastewater levels in the U.S. are at their highest since Omicron in 2021-22. COVID-19 Wastewater Levels in the U.S. (Jan 4, 2024) Chart shows national trends of SARS-COV-2 viral activity levels in U.S. wastewater. The vertical axis shows the Wastewater Viral Activity Level, which indicates changes in SARS-CoV-2 virus levels in wastewater compared to the baseline level (in standard deviations). Here is the CDC's updated COVID wastewater map.

Every single state that is reporting data is at very high or high levels.

15 states are not reporting data (or are too slow to report data). COVID-19 Wastewater Levels U.S. Map (Jan 4, 2024) Map shows viral activity levels of SARS-COV-2 in wastewater in each state.
Jan 2 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
According to the latest CDC COVID-19 wastewater data, we are currently in the second-biggest surge of the pandemic.

It will peak in the next week, with ~2 million infections per day. During this surge, ~100 million people total (~1 in 3 people in the US) will likely get COVID. COVID-19 Wastewater Levels in the U.S. Chart shows national trends of SARS-COV-2 viral activity levels in U.S. wastewater According to the latest CDC wastewater data, 35 states have very high or high levels of COVID-19. COVID-19 Wastewater Levels U.S. Map Map shows viral activity levels of SARS-COV-2 in wastewater in each state
Dec 28, 2023 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
Really tired of electeds still using this outdated script which ignores the risks of long-term health effects from COVID reinfections, and doesn't urge people to take steps to prevent infections in the first place, like wearing a high quality mask. These days, the only time politicians even mention COVID is to say they have minimal symptoms. This disastrous comms strategy has decreased vaccine uptake.

Studies show people are more motivated to get vaccinated when they learn about serious health effects like Long COVID.

forbes.com/sites/darylaus…Forbes: People Who Understand ‘Long Covid’ Are More Likely To Get Vaccinated, Study Shows
Dec 23, 2023 • 6 tweets • 3 min read
U.S. HOLIDAY COVID UPDATE:

- COVID wastewater levels are very high in the majority of states

- 1 in 35 people currently have COVID

- COVID levels higher today than during 90% of the pandemic

- WHO designated JN.1 variant of interest

- CDC warning hospitals may ration care HOLIDAY COVID UPDATE: - COVID wastewater levels are very high in the majority of U.S. states - 1 in 35 people currently have covid in the U.S. (and rising) - U.S. COVID levels are higher today than during 90% of the pandemic - WHO designated JN.1 variant of interest - CDC warning hospitals may ration care COVID wastewater levels are very high in the majority of U.S. states

(Source: CDC ) cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID1…
Map: COVID wastewater levels are very high in the majority of U.S. states
Nov 28, 2023 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
FINALLY! Just in time for the winter COVID surge, the CDC now has a useful wastewater dashboard.

It indicates that nationally COVID wastewater levels are HIGH and rising further.

You can access the dashboard here: cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID1…
CDC's wastewater dashboard showing: Nationally, COVID wastewater levels are high The region with highest levels is the Midwest Chart shows most regions are increasing Huge credit needs to go to the @BiobotAnalytics team who have been pioneers in making wastewater data accessible and understandable to the public since the start of the pandemic.

Please continue supporting them, they have details that aren't available at the CDC site: