No one benefits if people with platforms allowing them to reach millions are spreading demonstrably false information and public health guidance.
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Replying to @angie_rasmussen @elonmusk
Then challenge the facts and not the credentials.
46 replies 3 retweets 216 likes -
Replying to @hot_rod_co @angie_rasmussen
Yes, Angela, please show us the graphs/data that prove your point
112 replies 25 retweets 587 likes -
Replying to @elonmusk @hot_rod_co
Dr. Angela Rasmussen Retweeted Elon Musk
Sure. Here was your original tweet:https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1277507826529660928 …
Dr. Angela Rasmussen added,
Elon MuskVerified account @elonmuskReplying to @geekwireThere are a ridiculous number of false positive C19 tests, in some cases ~50%. False positives scale linearly with # of tests. This is a big part of why C19 positive tests are going up while hospitalizations & mortality are declining. Anyone who tests positive should retest.40 replies 183 retweets 1,651 likes -
There are not a "ridiculous number of false positive C19 tests", at least not if you are talking about the qPCR test (antibody tests are a different story, but those are not the tests in question here). Here's an EUA for a representative qPCR test: https://www.fda.gov/media/136151/download …
17 replies 106 retweets 1,708 likes -
These tests are highly specific, meaning a low rate of false positives. The bigger issue with qPCR diagnostics is sensitivity, or false negatives. The currently used qPCR tests are in this range.
13 replies 58 retweets 1,439 likes -
Furthermore, hospitalizations are not decreasing. They are a lagging indicator and patients testing positive take time to progress to severe disease after diagnosis. Here's today's latest ICU occupancy from Arizona's DOH. ICU bed usage has been steadily increasing.pic.twitter.com/DC2eL4ei1U
37 replies 85 retweets 1,411 likes -
Deaths lag further behind hospitalization and ICU admission. Here are the COVID-19 deaths in Arizona. While not on a consistent upward trajectory, they have trended upward and judging by ICU occupancy, that trend will likely continue.pic.twitter.com/RN5DmTT82C
8 replies 77 retweets 765 likes -
So in summary: 1. qPCR tests are highly specific and don't have a false positive rate near 5%, much less 50%. 2. Hospitalizations are not decreasing. 3. Deaths will likely increase in the next few weeks as time passes and the cases diagnosed earlier in the surge get sicker.
48 replies 149 retweets 1,329 likes -
Replying to @angie_rasmussen @EpiEllie and
I am trying not to get angry at Elon Musk and his cultish followers, but the difficulty level increases with each comment I read. He clearly doesn't understand anything about analytical test performance.
2 replies 2 retweets 25 likes
Indeed. It’s embarrassing how poor his understanding is and infuriating how he portrays his ignorant speculation as brave questioning of scientific dogma.
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Replying to @gorskon @angie_rasmussen and
What I'm coming to realize: He has a rare variant of Nobel Disease. He's surrounded by cult followers that believe he's some sort of prophet of tech disruption, and he's high on the smell of his own ego, believing he has the power to rethink all conventional knowledge.
1 reply 1 retweet 21 likes -
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