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Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
@FurnessColin
Epidemiologist and professor of information, University of Toronto. Researching "expertise" these days, and also now hanta-ranting as @furnesscolin.bsky.social.
Toronto
ischool.utoronto.ca
Joined October 2020
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    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Sep 5, 2022
    Replying to @FurnessColin
    Public Health leadership has switched from protecting health to pacifying the public by minimizing knowledge. It's appalling, IMO. To a large degree, mainstream media has gone right along with it. Also appalling, IMO. 2/14
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    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Nov 6, 2022
    A word on the idiocy known as "immunity debt". How did such a nonsensical idea take hold? Simple. The obvious mental model for our immune system is a muscle: use it or lose it. Muscles atrophy when we don't use them. The same mental model works for our memories & skills. 1/19
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    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Oct 31, 2022
    Parents, please hear me. Please. Pediatric hospitals are in an unprecedented capacity crisis. Possibly on the verge of avoidable child deaths. Please don't let your kids share indoor air w/ others tonight. Just don't. Extra candy, extra love. No parties. Why? 1/3
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    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Oct 8, 2022
    This Thanksgiving is different from the past two under COVID. 1. This year, the virus is way more prevalent, AND more way more immune escaping (from vax as well as past infection). 2. This year, our hospitals are overwhelmed for those unlucky enough to become very ill. 1/8
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    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Sep 5, 2022
    I've been asked a lot recently about fall school masking plans for my kids. (I should have posted sooner but I needed Twitter down time.) The short answer is that mask strategy hasn't changed, and that schools are unquestionably more dangerous than this time last year. 1/19
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    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Mar 21, 2022
    I've been brought to tears a few times in this pandemic. Happened again - but in a happy way today: nearly all the kids at school were wearing their masks. No trucks, horns, or flags. Just parents who care about community & child safety, and aren't fooled by #drfordmoore.
  • user avatar
    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Nov 7, 2021
    Why are cases rising in Ontario? Three simple answers: 1. We are using droplet precautions for an airborne pathogen. 2. Mask diligence is dropping sharply. 3. #2 is worsened by inappropriate political messaging that we're pretty much safe, including allowing full stadiums.
  • user avatar
    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Mar 2, 2022
    Replying to @FurnessColin
    Because of health risk factors (self or close others), very many people will to NEED to wear an N95 mask when Ontario decides that everybody else no longer does. That's why I'm going to keep wearing one while Omicron is prevalent: this minor nuisance keeps people safer. 4/4
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    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Feb 23, 2022
    I strongly object to @patrickbrownont campaign to unmask kids at school. We've had record hospitalization of <5 kids with Omicron, and it's still high. Very low vax rate among their older siblings. I dislike masks on kids, yes. But I really hate Long COVID in kids. Clear choice.
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    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Jul 28, 2023
    I avoid indoor dining in restaurants that don't aggressively manage air quality. Which is nearly every restaurant. But not all! I finally managed to get to Mississauga to visit Franz's @ApricotTreeCaf1. HEPA filters are foregrounded! But something else really surprised me...
    171K
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    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Nov 6, 2022
    Replying to @FurnessColin
    People are literally training COVID if they share indoor air without a mask while ignoring child hospitalization, and using "immunity debt" as strong justification for both. COVID trainers are a majority of the people with whom I interact. I sure wish that would change. 19/19
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    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Sep 17, 2022
    I've been studying the BC COVID seroprevalence study, co-authored by Bonnie Henry, who until recently had insisted that schools were safe. And now we know that most children (more than adults) have been infected. It's presented as good news: robust "hybrid immunity!!" 1/17
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    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Mar 10, 2023
    As my colleagues and students already know, I contracted COVID-19 last week. It was from someone who visited my home for a few hours immediately before developing severe symptoms themselves. There was masking and HEPA filters, but clearly not enough of each. In fact ... 1/8
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    Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH
    @FurnessColin
    Apr 12, 2022
    It's been obvious that CMOH Kieran Moore has very low regard for COVID safety measures. However, yesterday he violated the federal Quarantine Act by appearing unmasked within 14 days of returning from his Caribbean vacation. I demand he be charged; he's NOT above the law. 1/2