Disappointing Loss of Critical COVID-19 Data from Biobot: A Call for Transparency
Biobot Conceals Written COVID Updates Within Influenza and RSV Report
It's deeply disappointing to report the loss of another crucial information source. Biobot has ceased posting local, regional, and year-over-year graphs showing COVID-19 wastewater prevalence. While they continue to display graphs for influenza and RSV, COVID-19 data has been relegated to general descriptions, lacking historical context or detailed insights from individual wastewater testing locations. This represents a significant setback in tracking and anticipating COVID-19 trends.
This change mirrors recent actions by the CDC, which updated its website to reduce the visibility of COVID-19 data, including within the updated school guidance, and the WHO, which has buried COVID-19 updates within influenza reports. These moves appear to be part of a coordinated effort to suppress information about COVID-19, further obscuring critical data from public view.
Biobot wrote, “With the abundance of publicly available wastewater data and our shift to contextualized respiratory risk reports, we are sunsetting our public data visualization platform (www.biobot.io/data).”
An abundance of publicly available wastewater data? It seems more likely that someone influential pressured Biobot's decision-makers to remove their data and switch to written reports, which are far easier to manipulate.
Biobot actually stated this in their explanation of the removal of data. Biobot wrote the following:
“The Power of Narrative: Wastewater data is a powerful tool, but raw data alone can be challenging to interpret. We recognize that through curated reports, we can weave a narrative that makes the data actionable for each community.”
This states the obvious desire to control the narrative but the reports are not more actionable on a community level. The new reports are not more actionable on a community level. They cover broad regions, the South, the Midwest, the Northeast, and the West, rather than individual wastewater treatment plants, making the claim of increased actionability quite ridiculous.
TACT’s Email to Biobot
Feel free to modify and send it yourself. The more people questioning this move, the more likely we can at least get the reinstatement of the national, regional, and year-over-year graphs.
To whom it may concern,
It has not gone unnoticed that the updated reporting of COVID-19 and the removal of the graphs showing wastewater prevalence is occurring at the same time that the W.H.O. started publishing its COVID updates in written form, buried inside an influenza and RSV report, not even a respiratory report as described. This also occurred in line with the updated CDC website which also removes COVID from many other areas, including the guidance to schools.
Biobot wrote, "With the abundance of publicly available wastewater data and our shift to contextualized respiratory risk reports, we are sunsetting our public data visualization platform (www.biobot.io/data)."
"This evolution represents Biobot’s commitment to maximizing the value of wastewater data. We believe that by adding context and expert analysis, we can empower individuals, communities, and public health officials to take proactive steps towards a healthier future."
"We look forward to keeping you informed throughout the upcoming respiratory season with our new Respiratory Risk Reports!"
Unfortunately, there isn't an abundance of wastewater data. The decision to embed COVID-19 updates within an "Influenza and RSV Wastewater Monitoring in the U.S." report, without explicitly mentioning COVID-19, seems to obscure important information.
Please answer these critical questions for clarity.
Would you like to comment on why the change of policy to remove the COVID-19 wastewater graphs occurred at this time?
Biobot claims that it will “weave a narrative that makes the data actionable for each community”, but how are you doing this when removing the localized wastewater graphs and writing reports at the broad regional level?
Why isn't COVID-19 included in the title of what's deemed as the respiratory risk report?
Why were graphs for influenza and RSV retained while COVID-19 graphs were removed?
Will you consider reinstating the National, Regional, and Year-over-year COVID-19 graphs?
These changes reduce the visibility of critical COVID-19 data, potentially hindering public awareness and response. Transparency and clear communication are vital for empowering communities to make informed decisions about their health. It's essential to provide accessible and comprehensive information about all respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.
Sincerely,
We’ll report back if they respond to TACT’s questions. This represents another significant loss of information. As COVID-19 continues to evolve rapidly, showing greater immune escape and persistence in viral reservoirs throughout the body and brain, what appears to be a well-coordinated effort to suppress COVID-19 information and even the term "COVID" is profoundly disturbing. TACT will continue to raise awareness of changes like this and work to hold them accountable. Together, we can make a difference. We must work Together Against COVID Transmission.
By subscribing, you’re helping support:
Unbiased reporting: We cut through the noise and deliver critical information you need to make informed decisions about your health.
In-depth analysis: TACT goes beyond headlines to uncover details and the true impact of COVID, Bird Flu, Monkeypox, and other emerging diseases.
Empowering insights: We translate complex scientific data into actionable knowledge, putting you in control of your well-being.
Advocacy: TACT is advocating for a sustainable path forward that leaves no one behind.
Support TACT’s Efforts - Become a Paid Subscriber Today!
Share your thoughts, questions, concerns, or insights you may have.
"The sheep spend their whole lives fearing the wolf, only to be eaten by the shepherd.
Once you understand this statement the game changes and you start to understand politics."
Remember when Trump expressed his frustration at all the SARS-CoV-2 testing going on, commenting that things wouldn't look so bad if not for all the testing.
And now we have the Biden administration...