Augie Ray / is on Nostr

VP/Analyst of #CustomerExperience (#CX) research and advisory. Analyst by nature, not just by profession. Politically active to foster a world that has more #equity, respects #diversity, and embraces #progressive causes. Promoting #COVID19 awareness and caution because people, businesses, and the economy will suffer years of consequences for our failures to control the virus. Milwaukee, WI, US (He/Him)

Twitter: http://twitter.com/augieray
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/augieray
Pixey/Pixelfed: https://pixey.org/i/web/profile/518734783908831602

Last Notes

2024-06-29 05:43:51

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The visuals suit the mesmerizing music.

2024-06-29 05:38:19

I find this tune really relaxing, but perhaps others may not. This is Fade to Blue from German composer/producer Ben Böhmer. He is a brilliant electronic music artist who creates hypnotic sounds I find quite soothing. #BedtimeMusic
https://youtu.be/JuShC3lhQgw?si=D8UEV5ijLbBxDa7L

2024-06-10 16:42:51

A year ago today was my last time being a NOVID. I took a trip to London, masked regularly, and tried to be careful. But, I did dine indoors (only at off times when emptier), and I also gave a presentation to 80 people unmasked. Four days later, I tested positive for #COVID19. Fatigue kicked my ass for weeks, but I recovered (but who knows if COVID left me with future or subclinical issues?) I try hard to avoid my second infection, but if I can't avoid it altogether, my goal is to get it rarely.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/592/845/102/923/754/original/9e979e494e4bfd8d.jpg

2024-06-07 03:05:51

Some months ago I noted Taylor Swift took precautions while on tour, such as avoiding fan interactions, so she could avoid #COVID19. Meanwhile, she's fine if fans crowd pack together screaming and singing in her audiences. I got a crap from Swifties. (BTW, I'm a fan, too.)
NEWS: Taylor Swift spreads Covid: thousand of fans fall ill after Madrid and Paris concerts
https://www.elnacional.cat/en/news/taylor-swift-spreads-covid-fans-ill-madrid-paris-concerts_1230525_102.html
Fans can make their own decisions, but it seems like some people are worth protecting and others not.

2024-06-01 16:47:34

Second STUDY today on #COVID19 and men's reproductive health:
"Serum levels of sex hormones (testosterone, FSH, and prolactin) in the COVID-19 group were significantly decreased compared to the healthy group. Microscopic examination of semen revealed significant differences in vitality, progressive, and motile parameters among the three groups, with a decrease observed in the COVID-19 group."
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2052297524002166?via%3Dihub

2024-05-30 20:01:59

I am seeing a lot of hubbub over a third case of #birdflu in a human in the US.
Just to be clear: Right now, in our "lowest" point of #COVID19 in almost a year, 278 Americans are being infected EVERY SECOND. Ten percent or more will go on to suffer months or years of Long COVID symptoms. Some will have damaged brains, hearts, and other organs.
We shouldn't lose focus on the immediate and real risks we face of COVID.

2024-05-27 14:48:30

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The study I posted said nothing whatsoever about CO2. I'm sorry, but your contention seems to have no basis in science. Of COURSE, when someone breathes more air others have exhaled, the risks will be higher. We also know that the dose level that one is infected with can effect severity, which further indicates CO2 matters. AND, new studies show high CO2 causes COVID to remain infectious longer in the air. I believe you are wrong unless you can share links.

2024-05-27 06:18:38

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Do you have any links to the science of that, because that is not what studies I've seen indicate. Yes, there is no "safe" level of CO2--a single infectious person can infect others even with CO2 low. But, as CO2 rises, so does the amount of rebreathed air, and that raises risks. Every article I've seen says CO2 remains a proxy for viral risks in a crowded room.

2024-05-27 05:26:17

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I have found some safer places and inquired, and they'll tell you they upgraded their filtration--but none of them advertise it. That's why I am posting my readings to https://www.co2trackers.com/home so that others who care may avoid or visit businesses based on potential risks. I don't eat indoors much, but as an extrovert, I can't quite give up the socializing entirely (except during surges.)

2024-05-27 05:11:19

My experiments going out with my CO2 monitor are discouraging. Tonight, with COVID in wastewater at its lowest in 11 months in my city, we went out to eat. We hoped for outdoor dining, but it rained, so we sat inside. CO2 readings:
4:30 pm: 50% crowd in a brewpub: 1548
5:45 pm: 75% crowd in a Mexican restaurant: 1341
7:45 pm: Long line at ice cream shop: 1896
I thought businesses upgraded air filtration & ventilation, but these readings encourage me to stay home. #COVID19 taught us nothing.

2024-05-26 15:31:06

A STUDY finds what many of us suspected: #COVID19 antigen tests are less accurate than they used to be.
“The overall sensitivity of the ADT decreased from 63% in the Delta period to 33% in the Omicron period. This decrease was highly statistically significant (p < 0.001), and no decrease in viral load was detected at the RNA level. The nasal site presented a significantly higher viral load than the oral site during the Omicron wave.”
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/5/657

2024-05-25 16:27:10

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"... long flights with enforced masking had no transmission reported. A 1 h increase in flight duration was associated with 1.53-fold increase in the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of cases." (2/2)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/6/654