Social media is bursting with discussions around the vaccine and unfortunately these discussions are often full of misinformation. Here, I'm reviewing the science behind the Pfizer vaccine and answering some basic but important questions. How does it protect you? And are we sure it works? Contrary to opinions I've seen recited in social media, the … Continue reading Covid-19 vaccine: data-backed answers to pressing questions
Tag: Coronavirus
COVID-19: What do we really know about the virus? Part 1
In my last post, I talked about why COVID-19 science is so confusing and how we can cut through the noise. Now I'm going to put my money (or at least my virtual word count) where my mouth is and follow my own advice: look at the science behind the numbers in the media. We … Continue reading COVID-19: What do we really know about the virus? Part 1
COVID-19: Why is the science so confusing?
The fatality ratio is 5%, no it's 0.5%, no it's 0.01% but only in France. Masks will not protect you, but wear them because they will. Don't touch the surfaces because COVID-19 likes to rest on them, but it actually disappears almost as soon as it settles on the surface. Why is COVID-19 science so … Continue reading COVID-19: Why is the science so confusing?
Why is Florida doing better than New York? The factors affecting the spread of COVID-19
Many people are wondering why New York is taking such a heavy hit while in states like Florida or California COVID-19 spreads much slower. After all California has as much tourism and immigration and in Florida the population is older and the quarantine was announced later. What is going on? What really affects the spread … Continue reading Why is Florida doing better than New York? The factors affecting the spread of COVID-19
Are we good at sheltering in place? And is it working? A deeper look at new data from Google
Recently, Google released Mobility reports based on Google maps data, that show changes in different types of activities such as shopping and park visits during shelter-in-place. This data provided an opportunity to understand how we are doing and if what we are doing is working. Below, I describe a combined analysis of two data sources: … Continue reading Are we good at sheltering in place? And is it working? A deeper look at new data from Google
The bright side: unintended consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic
When you think "pandemic", bright sides is not what comes to mind. But there is the proverbial silver lining even in these less than cheerful times. Having to stay at home "sheltering in place" en masse, causes some unintended positive consequences of significant proportions. Let's see what the data has to say. Fewer traffic accidents … Continue reading The bright side: unintended consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic
To mask or not to mask and what about cloth?
CDC and other government orgs discourage regular citizens from using face masks at work and outside: "CDC does not recommend the routine use of respirators outside of workplace settings (in the community)." However, people still buy them en masse and we are currently experiencing a shortage. It has gotten so bad that folks are starting … Continue reading To mask or not to mask and what about cloth?
Coronavirus crystal ball: predicting the effects of the pandemic
Coronavirus crystal ball is not about modelling the progression of the disease, there are many models already out there, but rather guesstimating what social and economic changes we will experience a year from now as a consequence of the pandemic. And it's not really based on data (gasp), ok maybe some data, but mostly rooted … Continue reading Coronavirus crystal ball: predicting the effects of the pandemic
Tracking COVID-19 cases and tests in the US
Another coronavirus pandemic post that I'm planning to update frequently to keep track of how we and a few other countries in the world are doing. Updated on 04/17: You've probably seen many incarnations of this plot, but it's a good one so here is one more instance. I'm now showing the number of deaths … Continue reading Tracking COVID-19 cases and tests in the US
Tracking COVID-19 in the Silicon valley and SF Bay Area
So we are in the middle of a pandemic. Or rather in the beginning according to some projections. And every new day we spend indoors working from home with two little kids, makes me a little more motivated to follow of trends of the new cases data in our area. I hope this will help … Continue reading Tracking COVID-19 in the Silicon valley and SF Bay Area
Mind the data 