I too like both the date and subject heading. I noticed when you dropped the subject. It was nice to see it back. Thanks again for your excellent work.
Love the new format on substack. I prefer the complete heading: volume, edition, date and title.
I noticed last week but was worried I would be one of many complaining. Now, I’m laughing that only 1 person spoke up. I also love that the community can now converse after reading the daily edition.
I had exactly the same response to the negative Biden news--that it's back to business as usual, and the "negatives" are nothing more than fretful musings. But if I know anything, it's that right-wing media will continue to publish blatant lies and their readers/viewers will lap it up. We have to be constantly vigilant. I appreciate your newsletter. RE: Format. it's fine. Doesn't matter. Content is the big deal.
Hi, Laine. I subscribe to HCR but I make it a point NOT to read her posts before I send mine. There are two reasons: First, to me, our writing voices sound similar and I do not want to get into a place where I am merely channeling HCR's viewpoint. Second, there are a limited number of important stories each day, and I have my own quirky filter about how to pick stories for discussion. Again, I don't want to merely repeat what HCR is talking about. I know that on some days, it will be inevitable that we write about the same things, but on other days we talk about completely different topics. BTW, I don't know HCR, so I wouldn't know how to coordinate with her.
Thank you so much, Robert, for your thoughtful reply to my post this morning! I hope I didn't say "coordinate" I meant "communicate".
And I think it's great that you don't read her newsletter before writing yours. I asked because I am so impressed that you and she pick DIFFERENT important stories each day - and I appreciate your inclusion of suggestions (often from your readers) about how to take action, and your repeated encouragements to do so. Thanks again, and carry on!!!
I love the new format. RE: font - would LOVE for it to be in BOLD!! (Similar to H.C. Richardson's newsletter). I have vision problems, and the bold is SO much easier to read! I start my day by reading your newsletter, and the Richardson's newsletter. Recently, I am finding I skip yours, because it is difficult to read the print. Distressing, because I really value your perspective!
Hi, Claire. can you do me a favor? I changed font for the 5/17 edition. Can you compare font in 5/17 in Today's Edition and 5/16 as it appears in HCR. They both seem to be the same level of bold to me, but if you notice a difference, please let me know. Thanks!
Regarding timine of the change in mask mandates, some thoughts.
Human nature being what it is, it seems likely that many who have opposed the mask mandates and who may also not be vaccinated, will take the signal from the CDC as an opportunity to freely mix with others without masks or social distancing.
I don't think that it will surprise anyone if we begin to see new increases in the number of cases in the parts of the country where vaccination rates are low. These will likely begin to show up on the radar in about two to three weeks and likely will continure until counter measures are taken or vaccination rates increse in these areas.
My sense is that the timing of change in recommendation on masks, either by design or coincidence is actually supportive of both economic return to normal and long term public health strategy. We need to reach herd immunity for the country to address the long term changes to our economy and to successfully address the physical, social and mental health needs of our population.
We will see an increase in COVID cases and deaths in the weeks to come, but they will be coming at an optimal time (summer) when respiratory disease transmission is lower than in fall and winter AND before schools open for the fall. One can only hope that if we do see increases that this will spur increased vaccination rates among those who have previously been hesitant. We need to be able to open schools and return to normal human interactions for the collective health of our population.
Thanks, Mardi. What you say makes good sense. It's a complicated natural experiment in modifying human behavior. My thought (not based on science) is that we should give medical advice to those people who will follow it and stop trying to create public health policy based on people who will not follow it. If infections rise, let's hope that the health system can handle it. It is a very sad fact that we may have to supplement vaccinations with infections to reach herd immunity.
Format counts for little for me, it is content and links that provide a great service. Keep up the good work. Just a bit of a drag waiting for the verification email after I click to comment. I think you just need to keep encouraging Dems that the fight against the Repubs is a worthy fight and getting every registered Dem to the polls for every scheduled election event can yield success!!!
Hi, Charles. I am new to Substack and did not know that you had to send a "verification email" before you comment. That said, I have been gratified so far to see that only newsletter subscribers have commented. On Constant Contact, I was starting to get trolled by Trump supporters posing as newsletter subscribers. Sorry for the added inconvenience.
I too like both the date and subject heading. I noticed when you dropped the subject. It was nice to see it back. Thanks again for your excellent work.
PS: Bold type is helpful, too. I appreciate you & your managing editor’s efforts to keep us informed and on our toes!🙂
Love the new format on substack. I prefer the complete heading: volume, edition, date and title.
I noticed last week but was worried I would be one of many complaining. Now, I’m laughing that only 1 person spoke up. I also love that the community can now converse after reading the daily edition.
Date and headline are appreciated!
I had exactly the same response to the negative Biden news--that it's back to business as usual, and the "negatives" are nothing more than fretful musings. But if I know anything, it's that right-wing media will continue to publish blatant lies and their readers/viewers will lap it up. We have to be constantly vigilant. I appreciate your newsletter. RE: Format. it's fine. Doesn't matter. Content is the big deal.
Format is fine with me - date and heading good for me too! thank you for all your work!
ps - do you communicate with HCR about what you are both posting?
Hi, Laine. I subscribe to HCR but I make it a point NOT to read her posts before I send mine. There are two reasons: First, to me, our writing voices sound similar and I do not want to get into a place where I am merely channeling HCR's viewpoint. Second, there are a limited number of important stories each day, and I have my own quirky filter about how to pick stories for discussion. Again, I don't want to merely repeat what HCR is talking about. I know that on some days, it will be inevitable that we write about the same things, but on other days we talk about completely different topics. BTW, I don't know HCR, so I wouldn't know how to coordinate with her.
Thank you so much, Robert, for your thoughtful reply to my post this morning! I hope I didn't say "coordinate" I meant "communicate".
And I think it's great that you don't read her newsletter before writing yours. I asked because I am so impressed that you and she pick DIFFERENT important stories each day - and I appreciate your inclusion of suggestions (often from your readers) about how to take action, and your repeated encouragements to do so. Thanks again, and carry on!!!
Definitely prefer both date and title!
Claire Von Karls -
I love the new format. RE: font - would LOVE for it to be in BOLD!! (Similar to H.C. Richardson's newsletter). I have vision problems, and the bold is SO much easier to read! I start my day by reading your newsletter, and the Richardson's newsletter. Recently, I am finding I skip yours, because it is difficult to read the print. Distressing, because I really value your perspective!
Hi, Claire. can you do me a favor? I changed font for the 5/17 edition. Can you compare font in 5/17 in Today's Edition and 5/16 as it appears in HCR. They both seem to be the same level of bold to me, but if you notice a difference, please let me know. Thanks!
Sub stack is working well for me, but a date on the newsletter would be terrific, with your usual headline. Thank you for your writing.
Regarding timine of the change in mask mandates, some thoughts.
Human nature being what it is, it seems likely that many who have opposed the mask mandates and who may also not be vaccinated, will take the signal from the CDC as an opportunity to freely mix with others without masks or social distancing.
I don't think that it will surprise anyone if we begin to see new increases in the number of cases in the parts of the country where vaccination rates are low. These will likely begin to show up on the radar in about two to three weeks and likely will continure until counter measures are taken or vaccination rates increse in these areas.
My sense is that the timing of change in recommendation on masks, either by design or coincidence is actually supportive of both economic return to normal and long term public health strategy. We need to reach herd immunity for the country to address the long term changes to our economy and to successfully address the physical, social and mental health needs of our population.
We will see an increase in COVID cases and deaths in the weeks to come, but they will be coming at an optimal time (summer) when respiratory disease transmission is lower than in fall and winter AND before schools open for the fall. One can only hope that if we do see increases that this will spur increased vaccination rates among those who have previously been hesitant. We need to be able to open schools and return to normal human interactions for the collective health of our population.
Thanks, Mardi. What you say makes good sense. It's a complicated natural experiment in modifying human behavior. My thought (not based on science) is that we should give medical advice to those people who will follow it and stop trying to create public health policy based on people who will not follow it. If infections rise, let's hope that the health system can handle it. It is a very sad fact that we may have to supplement vaccinations with infections to reach herd immunity.
Format is fine: please keep date and title(“headline”)— I love the headlines!
Date and Title - helps when I need/want to go back in time to a post. So appreciate your work!
I want - and need! - both a daily heading and a date. Thanks for asking 😉
Format counts for little for me, it is content and links that provide a great service. Keep up the good work. Just a bit of a drag waiting for the verification email after I click to comment. I think you just need to keep encouraging Dems that the fight against the Repubs is a worthy fight and getting every registered Dem to the polls for every scheduled election event can yield success!!!
Hi, Charles. I am new to Substack and did not know that you had to send a "verification email" before you comment. That said, I have been gratified so far to see that only newsletter subscribers have commented. On Constant Contact, I was starting to get trolled by Trump supporters posing as newsletter subscribers. Sorry for the added inconvenience.
I also prefer the complete heading: volume, edition, date, title--but at minimum date and title. And Substack seems just fine.
Hi Robert,
I encourage you to continue running the date and subject headline. I find it easier to identify and keep track of the editions with both!