Skip the introduction – take me to the content!
Heather Sue M. Rosen is a medical sociologist specializing the application of critical realist, crip-crit, and postmodern, theories to explain health beliefs and behavior related to risk and mitigation. Since March 2020, her work has primarily focused on beliefs and behavior related to COVID-19 risk and mitigation.
Her dissertation research examined tweets expressing health beliefs about the risk of COVID-19 and health beliefs about behaviors to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 from December 2019 – June 2021, finding that beliefs about both risk and mitigating health behaviors in the United States were heavily influenced by misinformation from health experts aiming to minimize the risk of COVID-19. She plans to extend the scope of her current research to include the period between July 2021 – February 2023, though these plans are contingent on access to Twitter’s API after February 2023.
While researchers worldwide await Twitter API’s fate, Heather Sue has begun to expand her research to include information from other platforms, including user-generated testimony through other microblogging platforms like tumblr, Facebook, and Instagram, Fediverse entities like Mastodon, and non-social media data compiled from Google and Amazon search trends. On this page, you will find tutorials and examples related to COVID-19 risk and mitigation; Heather Sue works primarily in R (via RStudio) but does include limited examples using other programs/languages. You can find examples using tools available from platforms like Google and Meta here.
In addition to her research, Heather Sue’s disability rights activism has centered issues related to the risk of COVID-19, including the increased risk to historically excluded communities when mitigating behavior is inadequately widespread.
Essays and Commentary on COVID-19, by Heather Sue M. Rosen
Research on COVID-19 by Heather Sue M. Rosen
Tracking COVID-19
Publications and Pre-Prints
Analysis Examples and Tutorials
COVID-19 Themed Artwork
“I Mask Because” Campaign
On medsocionwheels.com:
The Original #IMaskBecause Twitter Campaign
Had people in the house but also got major MCAS hives in my head within minutes of putting on head straps today. Today’s #IMaskBecause is dedicated to my fellow #MCAS #MCAD folks. To manage, I wore a KN95, everyone else wore N95, windows open, a/c fan “on”, HEPA in each room. https://t.co/vgIoYn0BjV pic.twitter.com/XKMTyjSk1E
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 15, 2023
Time for another edition! #IMaskBecause my family needed groceries and prescriptions, and Covid was not on the list today 😷 I guess it’s also time to debut the pre-Spring chop 👩🏻🦰💇🏼♀️ #CovidIsAirborne #CovidIsNotOver #MaskUp #N95 https://t.co/7eAfM1EGRE pic.twitter.com/naTHKaz9vT
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 13, 2023
Today’s edition is dedicated to the dude who decided “nice tits” was an appropriate response to my photo in my wheelchair wearing a turtleneck sweater. Eyes up boob people my mask is up here 😷! #IMaskBecause my face isn’t for you! #ITurtleneckBecause my boobs aren’t for you! https://t.co/eEFSRSUfV3 pic.twitter.com/SymIcqgbBh
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 26, 2023
Happy Tuesday! Made sure to get a masked selfie while sitting alone in my car after PT today, the trolls tell me this makes them VERY uncomfortable 📸. #IMaskBecause it helps get treatment I need without a side of Covid. Bonus? My therapist masks too 🤩😷 #MaskUp #CovidIsAirborne https://t.co/EknGVSjHGz pic.twitter.com/htFjFRfvvH
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 24, 2023
Feeling inspired by all of the angry anti-mask trolls. May start a daily “I mask because” post 😏
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 22, 2023
Today’s: #IMaskBecause anti-mask ableist bullies don’t scare me, and because I refuse to be bullied into submission by those who would prefer me dead. #HighRiskCovid19 https://t.co/7eAfM1EGRE pic.twitter.com/l6qvRGc7J8
Remember, you can’t stick it to the man if you do what they ask and remove your mask. @POTUS says the pandemic is over and wants you to unmask. Show him you are not a 🐑 and 😷 up kids! #MaskUp #IMaskBecause it fights the power! https://t.co/lm5yzeXj1k pic.twitter.com/X9RIwBQAiq
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 22, 2023
I wear a mask because I value my life, and yours. I wear a mask as an act of love and respect. #IMaskBecause I think living is pretty cool. Fashion trend of the year = staying alive. #CovidIsAirborne #DavosSafe crew, why do you mask? Let’s show how fashionable we are! 📸😷 https://t.co/EK9eO8P9vH pic.twitter.com/0yqUlxjO7E
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 21, 2023
On Twitter – Features from the Off-Twitter Campaign
Reminder to scientists who agree covid is dangerous: Our words are powerful. When we publicly fight and do blocking sprees ppl notice and we distract from our message. #IMaskBecause as a #scientist I recognize my actions aren't just about my life/risk. https://t.co/O6n4qq1hoy
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) March 6, 2023
New post for my #IMaskBecause digital portraits series based on the original thread! I mask because networking matters, but not more than safety. #CovidIsNotOver #DigitalArt #SelfPortrait https://t.co/FVkurZCpoV https://t.co/ZpvYVZvHTP
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 20, 2023
Happy Thursday! The #IMaskBecause series is taking on a new format. Check out the first in my digital portraits series based on the original thread! #CovidIsNotOver #DigitalArt #SelfPortrait https://t.co/O6n4qq1hoy
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 16, 2023
On Facebook
Social Media Posts on COVID-19
Playing my favorite waiting game: will the pushback for pointing out unmasked hypocrisy come with blocking, or will it arrive alone today? 😷⌚️
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) March 9, 2023
*hums Jeopardy! theme song* #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsAirborne #MaskUp #CovidAirIsNotCleanAir
Spotted—about 1:3 mask-wearing ratio at the #StopCopCity protest in downtown #ATL right now. Keep it up folks! 😷🫶🏻✊🏻 #ActivismNotAbleism #MaskUp #CovidIsNotOver #DefendTheForest #ATLForest #DisabilityRightsGeorgia
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) March 7, 2023
Reminder to scientists who agree covid is dangerous: Our words are powerful. When we publicly fight and do blocking sprees ppl notice and we distract from our message. #IMaskBecause as a #scientist I recognize my actions aren't just about my life/risk. https://t.co/O6n4qq1hoy
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) March 6, 2023
My senators @SenatorWarnock and @SenOssoff have repeatedly claimed they care about disabled Georgians. Yet they refuse to mask and have remained silent and supportive of our president. Show us you really care, speak up, #MaskUp, and remind your peers that #CovidIsNotOver. https://t.co/pffecDymIM
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) March 4, 2023
Up on the website: a love letter to my disabled comrades who refuse to stop fighting to survive this pandemic. "I don't know what our path forward is, but I am secure knowing our community has only gotten tighter during COVID." #DisabilityCommunity #DisCo https://t.co/Dq1OqASQ1t
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 23, 2023
I wrote about the bad thing. Unfortunate but fitting follow-up to my last essay.
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) March 4, 2023
Death is tough. This pandemic sucks. I am tired.#CovidIsNotOver #CovidKills #IMaskBecause
Read here: https://t.co/O32A02RpC0 https://t.co/c3fXfbTYaq
I am still too angry, shocked, sad, and numb to talk about the traumatic events of yesterday morning, so I’ll share the good news from the evening instead. I have a defense date y’all 🙌🏻😭🤓
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) March 2, 2023
PS: Covid doesn’t care how young or “healthy” you are. #COVIDkills #IMaskBecause 💔😷
New post for my #IMaskBecause digital portraits series based on the original thread! I mask because networking matters, but not more than safety. #CovidIsNotOver #DigitalArt #SelfPortrait https://t.co/FVkurZCpoV https://t.co/ZpvYVZvHTP
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 20, 2023
Making a concerted effort to be involved in other spaces (no, I am not leaving Twitter…I’ll go down with the ship). https://t.co/q5SwAsVGQW and @MedSociOnWheels https://t.co/UHcYQcoKuh
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 18, 2023
Happy Thursday! The #IMaskBecause series is taking on a new format. Check out the first in my digital portraits series based on the original thread! #CovidIsNotOver #DigitalArt #SelfPortrait https://t.co/O6n4qq1hoy
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 16, 2023
Remember this when you advocate for masks! Every little bit helps. Any effort IS better than no effort. Do NOT discourage people from trying. DO listen to why their trying looks this way & suggest ⬆️ protection IF possible. Not feasible? BE SUPPORTIVE #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 15, 2023
Had people in the house but also got major MCAS hives in my head within minutes of putting on head straps today. Today’s #IMaskBecause is dedicated to my fellow #MCAS #MCAD folks. To manage, I wore a KN95, everyone else wore N95, windows open, a/c fan “on”, HEPA in each room. https://t.co/vgIoYn0BjV pic.twitter.com/XKMTyjSk1E
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 15, 2023
If you’re still trying to find one that works well for you, @armbrust_usa has a bunch of videos testing and reviewing masks that I’ve found really useful when people have needed more options than the three I mentioned. @projectn95 has a good variety if you know a shape you like.
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 14, 2023
Healthcare is extremely stressful and often terrifying with complex chronic illness. Taking masks away will make this worse, and it sends a huge message that those of us needing the most care matter the least to HCPs. #KeepMasksInHealthcare because it is safe and respectful.
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 14, 2023
Time for another edition! #IMaskBecause my family needed groceries and prescriptions, and Covid was not on the list today 😷 I guess it’s also time to debut the pre-Spring chop 👩🏻🦰💇🏼♀️ #CovidIsAirborne #CovidIsNotOver #MaskUp #N95 https://t.co/7eAfM1EGRE pic.twitter.com/naTHKaz9vT
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 13, 2023
Oh and in case this wasn’t enough, if patients do actually work up the courage to say something, a lot of providers refuse. I was told “it’s not required by the cdc so we don’t have to 😷” https://t.co/kfEfjflxsq
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 10, 2023
PS the ONLY Dems with valid responses are ones still masking indoors around non household members and outdoors in crowds. Good morning to @SenSanders, the rest of y’all go think about your behavior, then change it 😷. #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsAirborne #CripTheVote
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 9, 2023
Thank you @BernieSanders. My senators who love to talk about how much they support disabled people need to take serious note and #MaskUp 👀😷 @ossoff @SenatorWarnock you are NOT supporting disabled Georgians when you attend crowded indoor events with a bare face. #CovidIsAirborne https://t.co/11DH7vLkQ8
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 8, 2023
18,000 people in his country died from COVID in January, but @POTUS has declared himself successful and again pushed the narrative that the pandemic is over.
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 8, 2023
He will FaceTime with your living family, but don’t forget, Joe Biden does not care if COVID kills them. #CovidIsNotOver https://t.co/zH759zzXAj
This is why I get so frustrated when people say things like nobody could have predicted this and nobody seems to be consistent in their advice about Covid…disabled people told you. Disabled people CONTINUE TO TELL YOU. Stop asking the Q & pay attention to the answer already👇🏻😷 https://t.co/7AAF1z59jC
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) February 4, 2023
My vaccinated mother who N95s everywhere including around non-hh fam and friends, on the phone yesterday: “people are still not over things that happened during Covid”
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 30, 2023
Me: “SINCE Covid arrived, come on mom”
Mom: “oops…that’s what I meant” #CovidIsNotOver https://t.co/wl8QS1myCn
But what about the air quality?!?! 🫠 #CovidIsAirborne #DavosSafe #DavosStandard #MaskUp #Ventilate #HEPA https://t.co/CPSHzaWCb1
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 30, 2023
Well…I was wondering when/if she was going to rejoin the realists. Step in the right direction for sure, hope it continues and fellow docs and public health people who are still denying this are taking notes. #COVIDkills #MicroClots #MaskUp https://t.co/bamV6OLUhh
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 28, 2023
The CDC recommends additional measures to protect people with weakened immune systems, but only for us and our households. Pathetic advice. Almost like @CDCDirector refuses to mask so her agency refuses to provide appropriate recommendations so she can keep on with the bare face. https://t.co/P9M9PQu8CL
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 28, 2023
Today’s edition is dedicated to the dude who decided “nice tits” was an appropriate response to my photo in my wheelchair wearing a turtleneck sweater. Eyes up boob people my mask is up here 😷! #IMaskBecause my face isn’t for you! #ITurtleneckBecause my boobs aren’t for you! https://t.co/eEFSRSUfV3 pic.twitter.com/SymIcqgbBh
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 26, 2023
Things needing to be addressed: health care access, telehealth access, telework access.
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 26, 2023
Big Takeaway:
Public health response should account for disabled people's safety needs, especially in essential spaces like work and health care.
Thank you for this study @SabrinaTessEp! https://t.co/cJlB1oxGCj
Disability access during the pandemic includes access to testing. Lack of access to testing is often perceived as a dismissal of the value of disabled people's lives. One takeaway from @SabrinaTessEp's presentation, important research! #PaperAward #COVIDResearch @DisabilityHERN
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 26, 2023
Is the vax+pax dem ideology coming from fears that the Q crowd honed in on a real conspiracy alongside the tinfoil hat theories?
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 26, 2023
Starting to wonder if:
Vax+Mask Sci Anti-Vaxxers
🤝
Lab leak theory https://t.co/eLBw1x530u
Happy Tuesday! Made sure to get a masked selfie while sitting alone in my car after PT today, the trolls tell me this makes them VERY uncomfortable 📸. #IMaskBecause it helps get treatment I need without a side of Covid. Bonus? My therapist masks too 🤩😷 #MaskUp #CovidIsAirborne https://t.co/EknGVSjHGz pic.twitter.com/htFjFRfvvH
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 24, 2023
Read more: COVID-19 Risk and MitigationFor anyone interested in trying masks, giveaway alert! United States! #MaskUp #Giveaway #CovidIsAirborne https://t.co/EsiBG60Hd0
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 24, 2023
Feeling inspired by all of the angry anti-mask trolls. May start a daily “I mask because” post 😏
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 22, 2023
Today’s: #IMaskBecause anti-mask ableist bullies don’t scare me, and because I refuse to be bullied into submission by those who would prefer me dead. #HighRiskCovid19 https://t.co/7eAfM1EGRE pic.twitter.com/l6qvRGc7J8
Remember, you can’t stick it to the man if you do what they ask and remove your mask. @POTUS says the pandemic is over and wants you to unmask. Show him you are not a 🐑 and 😷 up kids! #MaskUp #IMaskBecause it fights the power! https://t.co/lm5yzeXj1k pic.twitter.com/X9RIwBQAiq
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 22, 2023
If you are mask curious, the best protection will come from a “respirator,” I’ve been wearing disposable N95 lately. Check out @projectn95 to help narrow to NIOSH approved (verified safe). Want something you can re-use? Elastomeric! Check out @flo_mask @envomaskusa @DentecSafety
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 21, 2023
Remember, any protection is better than zero protection! If you can make the jump from maskless to surgical, that’s great, and I support you! We can do this #OneMaskAtATime
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 21, 2023
If you chose to go out without your mask this past week, you participating in killing 4000 people. Are you okay with playing a role in this much death? No? You can still make the choice to wear your mask today so you don’t participate in the death count for next week! #MaskUp https://t.co/iFg4OMEijF
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 21, 2023
Remember folks, every day is a new chance to be a better person. It’s okay to get it wrong! It’s okay to change your behavior and admit you got it wrong! Worried? Here’s a script for when people ask why you are masking again: “I realized 4000 people died from Covid last week”
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 21, 2023
Don’t sit with the discomfort of knowing you were complicit in widespread death. Don’t wish Covid away in hopes you will feel less guilty. CONFRONT THE GUILT AND CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR. Refuse to keep participating. You might find you feel liberated. AND you could save a life.
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 21, 2023
I wear a mask because I value my life, and yours. I wear a mask as an act of love and respect. #IMaskBecause I think living is pretty cool. Fashion trend of the year = staying alive. #CovidIsAirborne #DavosSafe crew, why do you mask? Let’s show how fashionable we are! 📸😷 https://t.co/EK9eO8P9vH pic.twitter.com/0yqUlxjO7E
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 21, 2023
Well…I have some bad news for long coviders who are newly disabled…@Imani_Barbarin tried to warn y’all as recently as yesterday that the gov hates disabled people and will not suddenly love us because there are new members of the community. Their political will is that you die. https://t.co/96khPMtcSc
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 20, 2023
When the kitchen counters are squeaky clean but the air is filthy with variant soup #DropletDogma https://t.co/HGdvWAj4PZ
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 19, 2023
Jill Biden has also contributed to endangering cancer patients and making screenings inaccessible to many disabled and chronically ill people by running around unmasked endorsing the vax and pax approach her husband has decided is cool. @FLOTUS show us you really care and #MaskUp https://t.co/l0tyehcXTQ
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 19, 2023
Team #DavosSafe 4EAE <3 https://t.co/RPWRN3mFR9
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 19, 2023
FYI, masking now recommended in ALL indoor public spaces because levels are consistently high everywhere. @ASADisability was already doing this so obvs following @WHO guidance. Will @ASAMedSoc follow the recommendations and fight for a safe meeting this year? https://t.co/zRQRFcIhva
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 19, 2023
I would consider attending the @ASAnews conference if it were Davos Safe 😅 https://t.co/BnYtQ3Wmwo
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 19, 2023
Every time you go to a public place or large social gathering without a mask, you are showing that you are okay with taking part in these deaths. Are you good with playing a role in 1000+ deaths? No? This is a great week to change your behavior and wear a mask! #MaskUp https://t.co/HeMdzZCdKD
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 19, 2023
So can we get masks and a virtual option for the meeting this year @ASAnews? This info for serious academics like us explains why we are wrong to blow off Covid as no big deal. We are serious academics, no? https://t.co/Y6BYSB3wSL
— Heather Sue M. Rosen (@MedSociOnWheels) January 19, 2023
To see the entire archive of covid-19 tweets, place the following into the Twitter search bar:
(covid OR coronavirus OR pandemic OR sars OR mask) (from:medsocionwheels)
Tumblr
TikTok
@medsocionwheels Sometimes my mast cells act up and I can’t tolerate head straps. I’ve been liking these BNX KN95 for times like this because they come in three sizes. This is the medium. Bonus? Cute colors 😍 Some things we do to maximize safety when I have head welts: -everyone coming in the house wears N95 or P100 -several large hepa filters -windows open -a/c fan set to “on” instead of “auto” (Last two are a bonus of living in Georgia, may not be feasible for everyone because of extreme cold or extreme hot) **video is of me, a white woman with red hair, wearing a lavender KN95 mask and moving my head from side to side** #MaskUp #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsAirborne #KN95 #BNX #MaskFashion #MCAS #Hives #risk #covid19 ♬ Safe And Sound – Capital Cities
@medsocionwheels Voted in-person for the #GARunoff2022 and documented my experience as a disabled voter who usually votes absentee but didn’t have enough time to re-apply (🙄) for the runoff. TLDR: no line and took maybe 5 mins total inside, but wouldn’t have been able to enter the building if I were using my wheelchair today because the access was p much nonexistent. #CripTheVote #GeorgiaVotes #FultonCountyVoters ♬ original sound – Heather Sue M. Rosen