YouTube removed a viral video of two doctors calling for an end to quarantine

Post by kolanos » Wed, Apr 29, 2020, 3:17 AM UTC

vannevar wrote: post #291

kolanos wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you watch the video or are you just basing this on out of context quotes? What you're quoting was a brief anecdote about what those doctors were seeing on the ground. Their extrapolations are based on state-level aggregates in New York and California. Sample sizes of 300-650K patients.

I did watch the video. At about the 5-minute mark, they make a huge error in extrapolating the percent positive of tests to the general population (in California, 12% positive test rate). As many others have pointed out, that is an inexcusable error that leads them to an wildly erroneous conclusion about the mortality rate of COVID-19. Recent antibody tests in Santa Clara County and Los Angeles showed a rate around 2…

Post by TechBro8615 » Wed, Apr 29, 2020, 3:18 AM UTC

joe_the_user wrote: post #218

JPKab wrote: post #58

I completely disagree with most of what the doctors in the video are saying. However I really really don't like YouTube removing content like this.

I would prefer if youtube could organize their channel so dubious opinions had a voice and rebuttal. That would be better than just removing them. Even more, Youtube has the problem that it's algorithms push people TOWARDS the most dubious, conspiracy-driven views until and unless youtube actually removes the video. So Youtube has multiple things to balance and removing harmful bullshit is the best of the triage they…

Post by kolanos » Wed, Apr 29, 2020, 3:18 AM UTC

Retric wrote: post #298

kolanos wrote: post #208

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you watch the video? That is not what they did. What you're describing is a brief anecdote they shared about what they were seeing on the ground. Their statistics are based on state level aggregates for New York and California.

State level data is collected using the exact same methods. In many places people with symptoms are told to self isolate until they have difficulty breathing etc. This makes state level data a highly biased sample. There are a few population studies for very specific areas, but no widespread statewide sampling anywhere. PS: The US has ~50,000 Coronavirus deaths. Assuming a very optimistic mortality rate of 0.5% sugge…

Post by Retric » Wed, Apr 29, 2020, 3:20 AM UTC

kolanos wrote: post #315

Retric wrote: post #298

Earlier quoted context omitted.

State level data is collected using the exact same methods. In many places people with symptoms are told to self isolate until they have difficulty breathing etc. This makes state level data a highly biased sample. There are a few population studies for very specific areas, but no widespread statewide sampling anywhere. PS: The US has ~50,000 Coronavirus deaths. Assuming a very optimistic mortality rate of 0.5% sugge…

I'm not saying these doctors are correct in their statistical extrapolations. What I am saying is the Kern County anecdote being spread around to discredit them by people who haven't even seen the video are practicing in the disinformation that they accuse these doctors of perpetrating.

Post by willis936 » Wed, Apr 29, 2020, 3:21 AM UTC

walterbell wrote: post #296

willis936 wrote: post #293

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Constitutional protection of speech does not force non-governmental entities to grant a platform of speech to anyone. Nobody is saying they have a crystal ball, but everyone is making decisions to minimize damage to society, including private platforms.

Some people will now work to minimize damage to society by private platforms. Google can apply arbitrary rules, but they can't claim that their decisions represent "society". There was no consultative process where society elected Google or society was asked for their opinion on censoring this particular video. In fact, "society" has immediately republished the video elsewhere. In fact, the Streisand effect will guar…