Everyday science isn't hard. You just observe what is around you in the universe, cook up theories about it, and then test those theories. Maybe if you are dealing with sub-atomic particles, it gets a little bit harder to observe, but the basics are still the same. Observe this graph, produced by the Oregon Health Authority, under the direction of Pat Allen.

In an open letter to Oregonians written back in mid-March, Director Allen said “We need to flatten the curve of new COVID-19 infections.” One look at the chart above would seem to indicate that we have flattened the curve. With the exception of some outlying activity recently -- due to lack of hygiene at riots, maybe? -- an honest person might conclude that the curve has been flattened.

Indeed, the chart is a little bit difficult to read, mostly because the amount of data on it is so small. One can see a small, but perceptivle divergence between cases and hospitalizations, i.e. cases are stable, but hospitalizations are dwindling. This is probably due to an increase in testing. One stat that's not on the chart is deaths, which have been decreasing consistently.

Critics of Oregon Governor Kate Brown’s COVID-19 policies have noted that the cries for flattening the curve in March, only to have the goalposts moved into June and beyond, might have the effect of undermining confidence in her ability to manage the matter.

The Oregon Health Authority has been called out for being less than transparent with data about COVID-19. Additionally, many legacy media organizations have reduced their coverage to click bites. For instance, the chart above tells a great deal of the story, without emotion, yet it’s not commonly seen in coverage.

For a Governor who is facing two recall attempts, one by the Oregon Republican Party and one by a grassrooots group, it might be wise for the her to execute a little more precisely on the science.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-06-13 18:17:27

Last Update: 2020-06-13 18:17:34