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zeynep tufekci
zeynep tufekci
zeynep tufekci
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zeynep tufekciVerified account

@zeynep

Complex systems, wicked problems. Society, technology, science and more. @UNC professor. @NYTimes columnist. My newsletter is @insight: http://www.theinsight.org 

floating in a most peculiar way
theinsight.org
Joined August 2009

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    1. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 17 Mar 2020

      For the @nytimes, I wrote about why health authorities telling people they didn't need masks, and, besides they wouldn't wear them right, misfired and maybe even fueled hoarding. There will be many painful truths, and we need to learn to talk about them. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/opinion/coronavirus-face-masks.html …pic.twitter.com/vBhEbS2rJk

      127 replies 1,790 retweets 4,281 likes
      Show this thread
    2. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 17 Mar 2020

      One big reason we don't have enough masks is that not only did China stop exporting them completely after COVID-19, China went and "bought up much of the rest of the world's supply." We should have ramped up domestic production in January but we didn't.😢 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/business/masks-china-coronavirus.html …pic.twitter.com/HYGHUARNfR

      30 replies 469 retweets 1,111 likes
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      zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 17 Mar 2020

      Sadly all those (well-meaning) posts from healthcare experts on how masks won't work for ordinary people because they won't wear them correctly likely encouraged hoarding even more. That was never a message that would work. No wonder I'm constantly seeing online ads for masks!

      6:58 AM - 17 Mar 2020
      • 95 Retweets
      • 570 Likes
      • Aron Roberts Stuart Greer Johannes Richter Liam Killingly karen jeannette New Year’s Uber (1980, horror) Because Goodbye TokenAtheist Luimbe
      14 replies 95 retweets 570 likes
        1. New conversation
        2. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 17 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Dr. Thrasher

          This is so obvious that it's painful. I know my piece will upset some, but learning to deal with painful truths is one of the skills we really need to learn, especially as there are so many of them exposed now.https://twitter.com/thrasherxy/status/1239920946191966212 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Dr. ThrasherVerified account @thrasherxy
          This by @zeynep is a great piece which answered many of my questions about the politics, production and usefulness of masks, especially this one I've been pondering: If we all could be asymptomatically infected, shouldn't we *all* be wearing masks? https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/opinion/coronavirus-face-masks.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage …
          Show this thread
          7 replies 119 retweets 565 likes
          Show this thread
        3. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 17 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Naomi Wu 机械妖姬

          Not forgetting that the Chinese government unleashed this pandemic in the first place with initial lies and cover-up: not racist. Claiming that universal mask wearing in Hong Kong and Taiwan (where it is mostly under control) was just superstition? Yeah.https://twitter.com/RealSexyCyborg/status/1239945032095813640 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Naomi Wu 机械妖姬Verified account @RealSexyCyborg
          Replying to @zeynep @nytimes
          People in Asia have been explaining this for months- while Western journalists wrote articles claiming that we wore them because we're superstitious🙄 https://twitter.com/RealSexyCyborg/status/1229426576330084354?s=19 …
          8 replies 96 retweets 494 likes
          Show this thread
        4. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 17 Mar 2020

          Authorities say don't wear a mask unless you're sick but DO wear a mask if you are. How are you supposed to know? Plus, see key paper: many have mild, undetected illnesses but are infecting others. Universal mask wearing *would* have helped. Painful truth is we don't have enough.pic.twitter.com/pKjkEODiQD

          10 replies 249 retweets 802 likes
          Show this thread
        5. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 17 Mar 2020

          Hey, could someone from @Twitter please try to purge the mask-seller bots that are appearing in response to this? As the article points out, it really sucks but here we are and the health care workers desparately need these masks more. @safety @delbius

          4 replies 46 retweets 376 likes
          Show this thread
        6. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 17 Mar 2020

          Also, everyone who wrote such articles, please rethink the harm of this message. The weird claim that people in Asian countries (where this pandemic is much more under control) with the deep experience of SARS wore masks out of superstition is part of the reason we are here.pic.twitter.com/vcOnmTZtZT

          7 replies 97 retweets 520 likes
          Show this thread
        7. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 17 Mar 2020

          New paper: Hong Kong has not only contained COVID-19 for the moment, they've drastically reduced flu rates with social distancing, hygiene and near universal mask wearing. (Note: their government is unpopular and wasn't on board. The people acted anyway.) https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.12.20034660v1 …pic.twitter.com/HZq3urSffP

          11 replies 424 retweets 953 likes
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        8. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 17 Mar 2020

          Taiwan also quickly ramped up domestic production of masks and had a sensible plan to curb hoarding while ensuring access. Along with other sensible and non-draconian measures, they also contained COVID-19 for the moment despite a lot of travel with China. https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/03/16/taiwan-china-fear-coronavirus-success/ …pic.twitter.com/vRq7FzaKH8

          7 replies 145 retweets 473 likes
          Show this thread
        9. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 17 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted James Tang  🍎

          This is another important point. The "flatten-the-curve" urgency will eventually lead to "life must go on while we wait for vaccines/herd-immunity" and some form of mask-wearing may well be necessary for the transition.https://twitter.com/James69888/status/1240026391195729920 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          James Tang  🍎 @James69888
          Replying to @GiaTashaTomasso @thrasherxy @zeynep
          True, but this may go on for more than a year. We will need masks sooner or later.
          8 replies 107 retweets 452 likes
          Show this thread
        10. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 17 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted

          Yep. That's why we can't just say "wear masks only if you're sick." Besides the fact that we're not testing enough so people can't know if they're sick, and that many can be infectious without any symptomps, it just creates a stigma around wearing a mask. https://twitter.com/NathanWomack_/status/1240071568421609473 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          This Tweet is unavailable.
          7 replies 84 retweets 357 likes
          Show this thread
        11. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 18 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Scott Gottlieb, MD

          Please read this whole thread. We are eventually going to have to release people from lockdown, and universal mask wearing (not N95, but surgical masks) is one way to do it with less harm.https://twitter.com/scottgottliebmd/status/1240240377052958720 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Scott Gottlieb, MDVerified account @ScottGottliebMD
          THREAD: If the concern is that asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic younger Americans (millennials) are continuing to spread #Coronavirus because they don't heed warnings, you could require anyone between certain ages to wear a procedure mask when they go out. 1/n
          Show this thread
          6 replies 117 retweets 363 likes
          Show this thread
        12. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 18 Mar 2020

          Folks don't @ me BUT do it: arrange locally to allow people to donate N95 masks to hospitals, maybe exchange with surgical masks. Hospitals are out of N95s; CDC is telling them to use surgical masks instead; people are sitting on N95s but hearing some willing to donate/exchange.

          8 replies 65 retweets 228 likes
          Show this thread
        13. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 22 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted

          Washington Post published another masks are superstition oped, so I’ll just put this here instead. https://twitter.com/wesyang/status/1241598924516986881 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          This Tweet is unavailable.
          3 replies 83 retweets 279 likes
          Show this thread
        14. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 22 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Pinboard

          The tragedy of this kind of top down misinformation is when we are done with the shortage how are they going to tell everybody to mask up? As they have to if we are to get through this? (Folks don’t hoard and donate N95s now).https://twitter.com/pinboard/status/1241628429369270272 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Pinboard @Pinboard
          Washington Post still publishing headlines about how masks don't help, as if they were a bizarre superstition and not part of an effective intervention in the only countries that have gotten coronavirus under control. Source here is a psychology professor who writes about success pic.twitter.com/IMvBzOeCzk
          Show this thread
          6 replies 74 retweets 249 likes
          Show this thread
        15. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 22 Mar 2020

          I'm going to say it outright. It's crystal clear that we'll have to adopt universal mask wearing as soon as we're over the shortage for healthcare workers. People still saying masks don't help, people won't know how to wear them, they can be harmful etc. are doing real harm.

          39 replies 381 retweets 1,090 likes
          Show this thread
        16. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 22 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted A few million pixels

          Not admitting the obvious fuels mistrust and hoarding more. People aren’t idiots. And once the shortage is over, it’s going to be tough to switch to universal mask wearing, which is obviously a requirement to get through the next year.https://twitter.com/itsybitsydots/status/1241847604662562816 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          A few million pixels @itsybitsydots
          Replying to @zeynep @ncweaver
          to be fair, this was probably the only way to get private individuals to not hoard the supply
          9 replies 58 retweets 289 likes
          Show this thread
        17. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 22 Mar 2020

          Local friends, UNC hospitals need donations of N95 masks and other supplies. It's a travesty we can't protect our healthcare workers despite months of warning. Also, if you needed proof any mask is better than none: they will accept homemade masks as well. https://www.unchealthcare.org/coronavirus/ways-to-help/ …pic.twitter.com/rNdtF55WRW

          28 replies 262 retweets 378 likes
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        18. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 23 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted zeynep tufekci

          The sooner we stop misinforming people about the need and efficacy of universal mask wearing, the better. Not telling the truth now will make it harder to pivot after the mask shortage. Also people can see through the bullshit and mistrust fuels hoarding.https://twitter.com/zeynep/status/1241821708400631808 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          zeynep tufekciVerified account @zeynep
          I'm going to say it outright. It's crystal clear that we'll have to adopt universal mask wearing as soon as we're over the shortage for healthcare workers. People still saying masks don't help, people won't know how to wear them, they can be harmful etc. are doing real harm.
          Show this thread
          20 replies 114 retweets 354 likes
          Show this thread
        19. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 23 Mar 2020

          This top-down mask misinformation will cause another crisis: other critical workers (stores, pharmacies, delivery) will stop showing up because lack of masks means they are at high risk. Yes, hospitals first but then everyone at the front line and then all of us need to mask up.

          4 replies 42 retweets 195 likes
          Show this thread
        20. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 23 Mar 2020

          Great overview of the evidence on masks. Notes that review of SARS studies (same family of virus as the one causing COVID-19) found that "face masks were the most consistently effective intervention" (though keep washing your hands). Read it yourself! https://medium.com/@adrien.burch/whats-the-evidence-on-face-masks-5f3c27a18cc …pic.twitter.com/h4lLG9DKD3

          10 replies 319 retweets 599 likes
          Show this thread
        21. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 23 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Joe Calhoun

          Indeed. This is false. After the shortage, we will need to expand to everyone. How will we convince them? Lol, a week ago you couldn't possibly wear a mask correctly, soooo complicated, and didn't need them but now you can and must wear them. Won't work.https://twitter.com/jbc_3/status/1242103434163126276 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Joe Calhoun @jbc_3
          Replying to @zeynep
          Went to the grocery store today (Charlottesville) and all the workers were maskless. Asked the young checker if the store had had any conversations about having checkers wear masks and she said no, she’d been told it was not needed unless you are sick.
          6 replies 32 retweets 193 likes
          Show this thread
        22. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 23 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted The PS1 startup sound as a Lesbian

          This is terrible. Top-down misinformation has made life difficult for mask-wearers. I think the only way forward is honesty plus real apologies from people who misinformed us. It's a real pickle, but very difficult otherwise to get to where we need to be.https://twitter.com/zenalbatross/status/1242108804357070848 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          The PS1 startup sound as a LesbianVerified account @janusrose
          Replying to @zeynep
          i literally had a Man Online tell me i'm only wearing a mask "for instagram likes". i've been delivering supplies and food in my neighborhood and i'm so tired of this!!
          5 replies 36 retweets 229 likes
          Show this thread
        23. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 23 Mar 2020

          Some evidence from Hong Kong that paper towel outer layer and 3-ply soft tissue inner layer may be an acceptable *and* disposable replacement for surgical masks—perhaps with a plastic folder face shield. Can people with access to labs pleeease test this?🙏https://www.consumer.org.hk/ws_en/news/2020/covid-19-diymasks …pic.twitter.com/RFKVsPUqMJ

          16 replies 91 retweets 291 likes
          Show this thread
        24. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 23 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Los Angeles Times

          The article is from February 5, but at this point, tweeting it out like this goes in the same folder as the WMD lies about Iraq. I don't know how else to put it. We have solid evidence of asymptomatic spread, thus obvious need for universal mask wearing. https://twitter.com/latimes/status/1242123442712907781 …?

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Los Angeles TimesVerified account @latimes
          How to prevent coronavirus: Wash your hands and ditch the mask https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-02-05/how-to-prevent-coronavirus-wash-your-hands …
          9 replies 59 retweets 290 likes
          Show this thread
        25. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 23 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Max Fisher

          “Television broadcasts, subway station announcements and smartphone alerts provide endless reminders to wear face masks”. The piece doesn’t mention it but the Korean government distributes masks to make sure everyone has them. Masks aren’t an afterthought. Https://twitter.com/max_fisher/status/1242151818014216193 …https://twitter.com/Max_Fisher/status/1242151818014216193 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Max FisherVerified account @Max_Fisher
          South Korea and Italy had near-concurrent outbreaks that initially followed a parallel, terrifying trajectory. Mere weeks later, as Italy reports 793 deaths in one day, Korea has two. Some days it has *zero*. Me and Choe Sang-Hun report how they did it: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/23/world/asia/coronavirus-south-korea-flatten-curve.html …
          Show this thread
          3 replies 104 retweets 270 likes
          Show this thread
        26. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 23 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Abraar Karan

          From an article that compiled interviews with top experts on what works to slow the spread of this coronavirus. Universal mask wearing!https://twitter.com/abraarkaran/status/1242259652001366016 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Abraar KaranVerified account @AbraarKaran
          8/ Masks were a whole different ball game as well. Everyone wore masks. Part of this was to prevent transmission. But part of it was also to reduce stigma against the sick. If only the sick wear masks, they may be hesitant. But if everyone does, then no one is missed.
          Show this thread
          2 replies 64 retweets 187 likes
          Show this thread
        27. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 23 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted

          Singapore. https://twitter.com/liz_in_shanghai/status/1241569176289857536 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          This Tweet is unavailable.
          4 replies 34 retweets 128 likes
          Show this thread
        28. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 23 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Brian M. Rosenthal

          Hong Kong is the densest city in the world. It has a tiny fraction of New York’s cases. Almost everyone wears masks though and they take the distancing seriously.https://twitter.com/brianmrosenthal/status/1242233477120110592 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Brian M. RosenthalVerified account @brianmrosenthal
          NEW: New York City is now the epicenter of the #coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., with 12,000 cases -- nearly 25x as many as Los Angeles. Why? We found one glaring reason: Density https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/23/nyregion/ny-coronavirus-crowds-density.html … #CoronavirusNewYork
          Show this thread
          19 replies 194 retweets 555 likes
          Show this thread
        29. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 24 Mar 2020

          Future generations will be driven batty by the amount of concern over contamination from cardboard boxes—a tail risk: porous surface, exponential decay—compared with protecting the pathways to OUR RESPIRATORY SYSTEM WITH MASKS FOR A RESPIRATORY ILLNESS WITH ASYMPTOMATIC SPREAD.🤬

          15 replies 145 retweets 480 likes
          Show this thread
        30. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 25 Mar 2020

          I believe that this is the best temporary make-your-own-mask solution. It’s disposable, requires only paper towel and tissue and had promising lab tests.https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3050689/how-make-your-own-mask-hong-kong-scientists …

          15 replies 227 retweets 515 likes
          Show this thread
        31. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 26 Mar 2020

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Jeremy Howard

          The Czech Republic converted, quickly, to universal mask wearing, including home-made masks as necessary about a week ago. There really are no arguments left against promoting universal mask wearing and yet media/guidelines still say no need.https://twitter.com/jeremyphoward/status/1242894403984900098 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Jeremy Howard @jeremyphoward
          The person who really kicked off #masks4all in Czech Republic was @PetrLudwig with his powerful and compelling video. A key part of his message: wearing a mask is a selfless, pro-social behavior https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5xy2n941jM&feature=youtu.be … pic.twitter.com/pJa20lb67S
          Show this thread
          14 replies 136 retweets 251 likes
          Show this thread
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