We're seeing appointments for the updated Moderna and Pfizer Covid vaccines being opened up starting Friday. If you're attending #ASC2026, that'll give you the two weeks of ramp-up time needed for the vaccine to reach full effectiveness before the con. Don't delay, schedule your shot today!

Use the PMC interactive map to track localized data. This week, we added the line graph and a new shortcut (pmc19.com/map). It works best on a computer or large tablet. If #SaltingTheVibes, send screenshots to others showing their county. 😷👍 THREAD 🧵(4/4)

Nationally, transmission is at its highest since March 9th. Exposure risk increases with increased interactions, but varies by state. Well-fitting N95 respirators, ASHRAE 241 air hygiene, boosters, and testing all reduce infection risk. THREAD 🧵(3/4)

Barring a major retroactive correction (30% chance), we have entered the 13th "wave," which we define as >500,000 estimated new daily infections. We estimate just having hit 100 million infections on the year (US), in an atypically low year thus far. THREAD 🧵(2/4)

PMC COVlD Update, Week of Aug 29, 2026 ▪️Outbreaks in 29 states/territories (see Alt) ▪️A projected 13th wave is under way ▪️1 in 95 Americans estimated actively infectious ▪️Peak anticipated around Labor Day THREAD 🧵(1/4)

You can explore regional data, down to the county or individual wastewater treatment facility, using the maps at pmc19.com and the links they have to their sources, which include wastewaterscan.org, the CDC, and international agencies.

Wastewater is our most important tool for monitoring the pandemic as it continues to evolve. If we only looked at, for instance, people who present with or test positive for Covid at hospitals, then people who get sick but don't go to the hospital would be left out of the picture.

Viruses (including Covid, flu, norovirus, and many others) are actually shed by our digestive systems when we go to the bathroom. By regularly taking samples of sewage and counting viruses, we get a highly robust method of estimating how much those viruses are circulating in the community.

If you're attending #Stratosfur, be aware that Covid wastewater levels are estimated to be High in Houston and Very High in Texas overall. Don't let con crud ruin your con! The most effective way to reduce your chances of infection is to wear an N95 mask, particularly in crowded indoor locations.

Covid Safe Furs 🔜 ASC, BLFC@covidsafefurs.org · last wk.

We're seeing a number of people who attended #Megaplex testing positive for Covid. Wastewater levels for Covid in Orlando were Very High last week. Don't assume you know what "con crud" you got! Take rapid tests, preferably over multiple days, and wear an N95 mask to stop the spread.

The map is from pmc19.com, authored by @michael-hoerger.bsky.social. We think it's the single best resource for keeping up with Covid levels, both for centralizing the data from its sources and for interpreting it.

We're seeing a number of people who attended #Megaplex testing positive for Covid. Wastewater levels for Covid in Orlando were Very High last week. Don't assume you know what "con crud" you got! Take rapid tests, preferably over multiple days, and wear an N95 mask to stop the spread.

Covid levels are rising again in many areas, including California, Nevada, and Texas, as fall conventions approach. You may not be hearing about it. This may explain part of why:

Mike Hoerger, PhD, MSCR, MBA@michael-hoerger.bsky.social · 3w ago

🚨BREAKING 🦠 On Friday, the US CDC arbitrarily shifted higher COVlD levels into lower categories depicted with cooler colors. Much of what was Very High is now "High." What was High is now "Moderate" or "Low." Low is "Very Low." 1/

Think: "Good data, bad use of data." At PMC, we told you that if there was any funny business at the CDC, we would warn you right away. We diagnosed the issue immediately and will still report accurate COVlD information.

The good news is that the individual wastewater monitoring site data are still valid. The bad news is that the CDC maps and level descriptions will now mislead the casual user.

but 90% of those with a 1-week reporting delay (18 of 20) have High/Very High levels, leading the state to get classified as "Low" when really High. These issues snowball and can easily push a state down 1-2 categories when experiencing significant COVlD outbreaks.

These issues are aggravated by delayed reporting at High/Very High monitoring sites. Sites with 1-week reporting delays get excluded when the CDC calculates current levels. For example, only 16% of the sites online in Texas (3 of 19) report High/Very High levels,...

The questionable change was made in the middle of rising transmission across most of the country; 15 states already have COVlD outbreaks, and others may soon join the ranks. These are serious ethics concerns that warrant investigative journalism.

Normally, when the CDC makes a methodology change, they flag it prominently on each of their COVlD monitoring pages. This time, there was no alert and no explanation. Major changes were confined to COVlD, not Influenza A, and not RSV.

During intense surges, states will rarely get classified as Very High anymore. Presently, transmission is rising across the US, with a 75% chance of a wave, but states will be depicted in blue (Very Low) much longer, making communities less prepared. #Bluewashing

🔹2 states/territories artificially shifted from High to Moderate (MS, GU) 🔹5 shifted from Moderate to Low (CA, TX, AK, WA, NV) 🔹4 shifted from Low to Very Low (AZ, AR, LA, NC)

🚨BREAKING 🦠 On Friday, the US CDC arbitrarily shifted higher COVlD levels into lower categories depicted with cooler colors. Much of what was Very High is now "High." What was High is now "Moderate" or "Low." Low is "Very Low." 1/

KN95 masks are available at the following NY public library branches : - Brooklyn Public Library - Queens Public Library Locations - St. George Library Center (Staten Island) - Bronx Library Center - Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library - NYPL’s main branch (Manhattan) source : NYC Emergency Mgmt

GOJII | U ARE NOT ALONE TOUR 2026@gojiimusic.bsky.social · 2mo ago

NY air quality is so bad right now i took my mask off for 2 seconds last night and my sinuses were on fire the rest of the night. stay safe out there

How to REALLY Not Get Con Crud! Time: Fri 1:00 PM–2:30 PM Location: Schoolhouse (Floor 3, Columbia 4) Host: @yatchi.bsky.social @covidsafefurs.org Desert Bugs Time: Fri 3:00 PM–4:00 PM Location: Theatre (Floor 2, Willamette 8) Host: MorbidArachnid

Hey #FWA2026! We'll have N95 masks and rapid tests for you to access at any time at Accessibility!

How to REALLY Not Get Con Crud! Fri, Apr 3 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Alexis Park - Apollo 3 Hosted by @yatchi.bsky.social web.venvi.app#/gE3Acp1VRg9... #FurriesInSTEM #STEMFurs #STEM LVFC

Attending @gsfurcon.com ? How to REALLY Not Get Con Crud! Friday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Panel 3 Hosts: @yatchi.bsky.social gsfurcon.org/schedule/#1090

Schedule | Golden State Fur Con

Plan your weekend at GSFC with our online convention schedule!

gsfurcon.org

First post #FC2026 tests are negative! Be sure to test right after con, and then 4 days to be in the clear, or sooner if you experience symptoms! @covidsafefurs.org

#FC2026 totals given out Tests: 244 Masks: 280 Huge shoutout and big thank you to @covidsafefurs.org folks for helping us keep folks attending #FurtherConfusion2026 safe! 👏🥰

Last day!! Come see us at table 72 in Dealer's Den West! Last chance to grab beautiful art from my dear @crunchydomfam.bsky.social and free masks/tests provided by us and @covidsafefurs.org ! ❤️✨️ #FC2026 ##FurtherConfusion2026

This Creature Can Eating Every Corona Virus