Data (Sigh...)

As we have seen, there is disagreement regarding whether the pandemic is over, or whether it matters whether it is over or not (open at all costs!).  I thought that, since everyone seems to be weighing in on this, that you and I should be able to, as well.

So - here's a CDC site that will provide you with the actual data (if that's how you roll), and you can use it to conclude anything you want.  The site is a little buggy, but it provides granular detail regarding testing, positivity, cases, deaths, etc.  Now you can be an expert, as well!

Here's Barnstable County, MA (Cape Cod), where we own a rental house in Cape's most rural town.  We've been hiding out from COVID here in the pines for as much time as possible (click to embiggen):

Interestingly, here's the data for Otsego County, where we actually live:

Lots wrong with this one.  In August/September of 2020, the students returned to the two colleges in our small city (SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College) and, since SUNY O didn't require student testing, there were over 700 cases within two weeks.  There's a little blip on the screen for that time, but not 700+.  Also, according to the NY Times COVID tracker, there have been 88 COVID deaths in Otsego County; according to the county Health Department, there have been 111 "COVID-related deaths."  None show up on the CDC tracker.

Anyway, in both cases, we're practically at zero.  It' over!  But wait - it's trending upward.  Oh no, a surge!

So - how do we know when the pandemic is over if we can't rely on anyone's data, or what it means?  Frustrating, to say the least.  The answer, I suppose, is to use the data you like the best, depending on what you want it to mean.  That's what everyone else is doing!