PHX Reporter

AJ Kay, a Tempe-based writer, was unequivocal in her assessment of a Phoenix News 12 report regarding Covid rates that she said disregarded fact in favor of sensationalism. 

In a series of tweets, Kay broke down the problems with the piece, titled “These 4 graphs show Arizona is losing the battle against COVID-19" by reporter Hunter Bassler.

“Here's a prime example of misinformation and omission of context in COVID media coverage,” Kay said in a retweet of the story. 

Media critics and medical professionals alike have been displeased with the way many journalists have portrayed the Covid pandemic. Writing in JAMA, researchers said the media has a responsibility to dig into reports, not give them a superficial treatment. 

“News releases and news reports with simple, often provocative messages based on single studies have had substantial influence on medication use, the stock market, political discourse and policy,” researchers wrote. “A more informed and rational medical, political and economic decision-making process may have occurred if attention had been given to a few recommendations.” 

The first paragraph News 12 used purported to show a steep increase in Covid cases. 

“Cases are down est. 500% from the peak in July, despite new inclusion of antigen tests from the universities starting mid-Sept. Also, ‘cases’ don't = illness/transmissibility,” Kay tweeted. 

In addition, death rates are down across the spectrum with only those 65 and older at most risk of death.

The second graph showed a 42% increase in the number of inpatient beds in use by COVID patients since Oct. 1. 

“Yes, after a  >300% drop in inpatients w/ COVID since peak in July. Also, only 10% of inpatients have COVID & that includes cases found incidentally through testing all admits,” Kay tweeted. 

Across the country, hospitals that were once overrun by Covid patients are finding that while infection rates have increased, the need for acute care has decreased. Hospital admissions have been on a steady decline, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. 

The third graph showed a 37% increase in ICU bed usage by Covid patients.

“Yes, also ICU bed usage by COVID patients is down roughly 350% since the peak in July and, again, only 10% of available ICU beds are in use by patients with COVID,” Kay tweeted. 

The fourth graph tracked ventilator usage. 

“While there are 468 vents (22%) in use in AZ for all causes, only 91 (5%) of them are in use for people with COVID (see graph),” Kay tweeted.