Source: Underlying data are from Johns Hopkins University, via the NY Times Github COVID-19 data repository. I have once again had to expand the vertical scale of this graph since the last time I published it. Three days ago.
This post has turned into quite a treatise. Let me cut to the chase. Here’s my hypothesis, regarding the last two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US.
It’s not the heat, it’s the (lack of) humidity.
- Hot weather + no indoor mask use = second wave of US pandemic, centering on southern states.
- Cold weather + no indoor mask use = third wave of US pandemic, centering on northern states.
In short, I think that dry indoor air plus no mask use is going to be a toxic combination this winter. And I’m afraid we’re seeing an acid test of that where the cold, arid winter climate of the US high plains and eastern slope Rockies intersects Republican anti-mask sentiment. Continue reading Post #879: Preparing for a hard winter, 7: It’s not the heat, it’s the (lack of) humidity.