Beautiful Data: A Primer On Data Visulaization

For those seeking a concise and relevant review  the presentation of visual data in infection prevention,  check out this masterful article in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

I must agree with Jorge Salinas et al, the visual representation of infection prevention data is human factors engineering for the eye.

Like visual abstracts,  the well designed graph or figure should require little background information to convey complex data in an easy to digest and aesthetically pleasing manner.

COVID-19 Infodemic: Quantifying Sources from The Cornell Alliance for Science

 

If you seek the sources of the misinformation that are driving the COVID-19, search no further. Hot off the press (here) today (10/1/2020) from the The Cornell Alliance for Science.

The primary driver of the COVID-19 misinformation published in the English language is not likely to surprise.

 

A Visual Abstract Worth a Thousand Words! COVID-19 and Hospitalized Patient Outcomes

 

The visual abstract above speaks volumes- predictors of poor outcomes and death in US COVID-19 hospitalized patients: advanced age, obesity, diabetes, fever, elevated ESR/CRP and respiratory rate.

The article is accessible here.

Beyond COVID-19: The Rules of Contagion

For those seeking an informative read that transcends COVID-19, check out The Rules of Contagion, by Adam Kucharski. A review on the book, published in The Guardian, is accessible here.

A particularly unsettling section of the book explores the role of fake news in the spread of scientific misinformation. I have raised this issue previously (here) on my blog.

This book is worth reading.

Agreed! Don’t Let the Pandemic End a 100-Year-Old Soccer Legacy

Photo Source: NY Times

Disclosure:  I am biased as a lifelong footballer and as my brother, Alex Bearman, is the Executive Director of District Sports Soccer, I sympathize with supporters of the Beautiful Game.

This article in the NY Times really caught my eye, in which the Cosmopolitan Soccer League remains on hold secondary to COVID-19.  With proper precautions, as highlighted here by the CDC,  amateur sports can reduce the risk of COVID-19.  With soccer, as the game is played outdoors and as some league are moving to a modified 7 vs 7 (60 minutes) instead of 11 vs 11 (90 minutes),  the risk is further decreased. People with debilitating and chronic conditions are rarely (if ever) on the field. Handshakes are no longer allowed, the only shared equipment is the game ball.

Few things are ever fully risk free.

I will be back on the pitch this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. with Richmond City FC. 

Rock is Dead- Long Live Rock! The Cassette Comeback, The Revenge of Analog and A Surge in Guitar Sales....

 

Cassette tapes are making a comeback, per this LA Times article. This is almost certainly not for the sound quality, rather for nostalgia. However, this preference may not be that simple as explored in the book The Revenge of Analog..as previously posted here.

In the COVID-19 era, guitar sales are surging.

My most meaningful outlet in these strange times is jamming with my band, in our 6000 sq foot practice space, socially distanced.

To quote The Who: Rock is Dead- Long Live Rock!

The Vagabond Dandies are: Justin Haught (lead guitar, vocals), Gary Tye (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Greg Lawson (bass guitar, backing vocals) and The Blogger (drums, backing vocals)

Instagram: @vagabond_dandies