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A release was just sent out on behalf of the Oklahoma State Department of Health claiming based on a Washington Post story that OK is a "Top 10 state" for percent of the population vaccinated.
There are some really curious things in what they sent out.
(Thread I guess)
There are some really curious things in what they sent out.
(Thread I guess)
Essentially they sent an Excel spreadsheet. It's unclear who created it. The release suggests it contains "data reported to the Washington Post" and links to this WaPo vaccine tracker page. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/health/covid-vaccine-states-distribution-doses/?itid=sn_coronavirus_4/
The Excel spreadsheet has two unlabeled worksheets.
Sheet1 has four columns: state abbr.; minimum doses administered; the state's 2019 est. population; and the percent population vaccinated (calculated via formula)
Sheet1 has four columns: state abbr.; minimum doses administered; the state's 2019 est. population; and the percent population vaccinated (calculated via formula)
Sheet2 has five columns: state abbr.; doses received; minimum doses administered; the state's population circa the 2010 Census; and, again, the percent population vaccinated (calculated via formula)
First thing I noticed is, well, states that don't exist, like "NB" and "WS."
Next thing is, these numbers aren't even close to the numbers in the linked WaPo article.
For instance, both worksheets in the provided spreadsheet say Minnesota has only administered 2,999 vaccinations. The article says more than 38,000 have been given.
For instance, both worksheets in the provided spreadsheet say Minnesota has only administered 2,999 vaccinations. The article says more than 38,000 have been given.
Oklahoma's numbers on the two worksheets do match the WaPo article.
I don't really know what's up. I've requested more information, like who made the spreadsheets and what data they're working from. The WaPo tracker is dated yesterday evening. Maybe what's in these spreadsheets is older than yesterday, but this stuff was just sent out.
Oklahoma may well be in the top ten for percent of its population vaccinated. I'm not sure. I'd have to take the time to seek out data and build my own spreadsheet. All I know is there's some weirdness here, between the numbers that don't match and states that don't exist.
Here's the full release sent to press on behalf of the state health department:
This is almost certainly correct, I'd imagine, that these are meant to represent these two states. But still odd, and the source of the data isn't made clear either in the release or the Excel file. https://twitter.com/Deuce84p/status/1344414177293643782?s=20
Anyway, one ranking we know for sure Oklahoma ranks in the top ten for is COVID-19 test positivity, according to the White House. They say we rank first, the highest rate in the entire country. See: https://twitter.com/ChrisKPolansky/status/1344035865874616320?s=20
Okay I had already fully clocked out and put my out-of-office on for the long weekend but now here I am building a spreadsheet to check the state health department's work and see where Oklahoma truly ranks. I'll post shortly when I figure it out.
Alright. Based on the most current data on the Washington Post article linked to in the press release (which WaPo dates yesterday, 12/29, 6:44 p.m)....
Oklahoma actually ranks 18th -- not in the top ten -- for percentage of its population having received one vaxx dose so far.
Oklahoma actually ranks 18th -- not in the top ten -- for percentage of its population having received one vaxx dose so far.
That's with five states -- New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Iowa and Kansas -- not reporting data.
18 out of 45 is genuinely respectable!
18 out of 45 is genuinely respectable!
My benefit-of-the-doubt guess is that what they sent out in this release WAS at one point true based on the WaPo source they're using. It just isn't anymore.
If I get any clarity from the PR firm, I will add it to this thread.
For now: https://twitter.com/ChrisKPolansky/status/1344035901559762945?s=20
For now: https://twitter.com/ChrisKPolansky/status/1344035901559762945?s=20
And they've tweeted it. https://twitter.com/HealthyOklahoma/status/1344415655098003462?s=20
Zoie Hing of PR firm Saxum, which is contracted to handle COVID-19 comms for the state health department, confirms that the release and the above @HealthyOklahoma tweet is incorrect -- Oklahoma currently ranks 18th according to the WaPo data they cite.
I've asked when they drafted the release/pulled the data. Oklahoma's been ranked 18th for almost 24 hours, so it's unclear why they would have released the false "Top Ten" info this afternoon. Their tweet and a Facebook post are still up.
Meantime, moments ago, WaPo updated their data. I was about to update my spreadsheet and figure out where Oklahoma is NOW but look I've been up for work since 3 this morning and I've had a few beers.
Actually I went ahead and did it because I'm a freak who doesn't know when to stop
As of the latest data on the WaPo tracker, dated 12/30 6:44 p.m. (I assume Eastern), Oklahoma now ranks *26th* out of 48 states reporting vaccine date.
As of the latest data on the WaPo tracker, dated 12/30 6:44 p.m. (I assume Eastern), Oklahoma now ranks *26th* out of 48 states reporting vaccine date.
that last word should be *data
In all honesty: I don't know that where the state ranks at a point-in-time on how many first doses have been administered really matters all that much. This national effort is so new. 50 distribution and reporting systems and timelines.
My whole thing here is only that if you're gonna put out a press release saying you're in the top ten for something, check your work before it goes out to make sure it's true.
