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Karen Cutter

@karencutter.bsky.social
1.8K followers 776 following 182 posts

Actuary. Australian. Mostly Covid. Views are my own.

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Reposted by Karen Cutter
Jennifer Lang @actuarialeye.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
The Actuaries Institute of Australia recently published our review of mortality in 2024, which you can find here. content.actuaries.asn.au/resources/re.... A quick summary of our major conclusions #thread.
content.actuaries.asn.au
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Happy international actuaries day to all my actuarial friends!
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Jennifer Lang @actuarialeye.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
The Mortality Working Group of the Actuaries Institute (Australia) has just released our analysis of mortality for the first 11 months of 2024. Total mortality was 1% higher than predicted, almost all because Covid-19 was higher than we predicted. #thread
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
ABS released their provisional mortality statistics yesterday, with data to 30 November 2024. www.abs.gov.au/statistics/h...
abs.gov.au
Provisional Mortality Statistics, Jan - Nov 2024
Provisional deaths data for measuring changes in patterns of mortality
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Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
So #covidinquiry commissioned serious research by academics at Oxford Uni into vaccine safety. Concludes “best evidence” suggests jabs saved millions of lives. And any suggestion they caused excess mortality is “low quality and has been in many cases misinterpreted.” A short 🧵
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Stuart McDonald @actuarybyday.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
Final ONS weekly deaths data for 2024 was released this morning. 563,762 deaths registered in the year. For the first time since the onset of the pandemic, the number of deaths is consistent with the 2010-19 trend. Look out for analysis and press commentary from the CMI this afternoon.
Chart showing annual count of deaths in England & Wales, 2010 to 2024.  It trends upwards (mostly due to population ageing).
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
The Centre for Population released their 2024 population statement just before Christmas. Includes projections of births, deaths and net migration that feed into Govt decision making. population.gov.au/publications...
population.gov.au
2024 Population Statement | Centre for Population
The 2024 Population Statement is the Centre’s fifth release in an annual series that provides a comprehensive national picture of how the Australia population has changed and how we expect it to chang...
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Covid prevalence in NSW has increased this week, but indicators suggest it is still substantially less than the same time last year. With Christmas now less than a week away, I’m hopeful this means the peak of this wave will also be much lower than last year. www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/c...
health.nsw.gov.au
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Oh goody. The anti-vaxxers have found me here
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
The Australian actuaries Mortality Working Group has released excess mortality estimates for the first eight months of 2024. www.actuaries.digital/2024/12/17/m...
actuaries.digital
Mortality in First Eight Months of 2024 2% Higher Than Predicted - Actuaries Digital
In their latest article, the Mortality Working Group shares excess mortality analysis for the first eight months of 2024. In summary For the first eight months of 2024, against a baseline that include...
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Daniel Schneider @biologistdan.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Outstanding article on the likelihood of bird flu becoming a pandemic. If you have a moment give it a read.
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Four weeks since my post saying it looked like Covid was about to take off again in NSW. Latest NSW Health report shows little action. A very benign wave compared with this time last year.
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Tama Leaver @tamaleaver.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
And just like that, after an absurdly short time for consideration and debate, the Australian Senate has passed the Under16s Social Media Ban into law. No good will come of this for young people, and this will not prevent potential harms. If anything, it will increase them.
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Michael Plank @michaelplanknz.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
The report from the NZ Covid inquiry was (somewhat surprisingly!) released today: www.covid19lessons.royalcommission.nz/reports-less... Here's some initial reaction from me (which should appear at www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz in due course):
covid19lessons.royalcommission.nz
Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned | Covid-19 Lessons Learned
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Interesting stats!
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
NSW Health respiratory surveillance report. All the indicators that were on the increase last week are mostly unchanged this week. www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/c...
health.nsw.gov.au
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Reposted by Karen Cutter
Dr Duncan Robertson @duncanrobertson.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
"The UK is no longer offering COVID vaccines to pregnant women – here’s why that might be a bad idea" - @theconversation.bsky.social article by @sheencr.bsky.social drawing on joint work with @chrischirp.bsky.social theconversation.com/the-uk-is-no...
theconversation.com
The UK is no longer offering COVID vaccines to pregnant women – here’s why that might be a bad idea
From spring 2025, pregnant women will no longer be eligible for free COVID vaccines in the UK.
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Health Nerd @gidmk.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
There's a very interesting myth that many people seem to believe, which is that the US is doing badly on life expectancy due primarily to chronic disease. This is broadly untrue. Rather, America and most of the OECD have similar issues with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.
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SarahJadeHunter @sarahjadehunter.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Absolutely recommend following Ian for his generous and accessible sharing of scientific COVID knowledge! Thank him for the Swiss Cheese model that helped us understand multilevel mitigation approach to preventing transmission of airborne viruses!
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
My fortune cookie last night. Felt quite apt given the mass X-odus in the last week.
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Louise Milligan @milliganreports.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Wow. Kate McClymont reports Alan Jones has been arrested by police. www.smh.com.au/national/ala...
smh.com.au
Alan Jones arrested over allegations he indecently assaulted young men
Alan Jones has been arrested at his luxury Circular Quay apartment by NSW Police over allegations the controversial broadcaster and former Wallabies coach indecently assaulted, groped or inappropriate...
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
CJ as the VP in The Diplomat season 2. Excellent TV. #AlisonJanney
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Social media at its best. www.ppaonline.com.au/wp-content/u...
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Someone on the old hellsite says their GP said they were getting vax early Dec for 16 Dec start date. Can anyone confirm? (Public health via Chinese whispers.)
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
I got a bit over-excited following a few starter packs and seem to have followed squillions of Americans who are clogging my feed. Please don’t be offended if I unfollow you. Need more Aussie content.
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
ATAGI minutes for Oct have been released, stating “ATAGI recommends using the latest COVID-19 vaccine formulation”. This was before the Pfizer JN.1 vaccine had received TGA approval, but presumably this means it is “ATAGI approved” as soon as supply is available in Australia (expected “late 2024”)
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
After four weeks of not reporting, here is Victoria. Wasn’t such a big limb…
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
Going out on a limb here: I think we are at the start of a new Covid wave. Stats from todays NSW Health report: www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/c...
health.nsw.gov.au
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Tom Ashbyトム アシュビー @tomaashby.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
Fun fact: If someone quotes a post of yours in a way that is unwelcome (as is commonplace on Twitter/X) there is a tool to combat the unwanted attention. Simply click the three dot menu on the quote post & click "Detach quote". This removes your post from their quote post. Useful to know, do share!
An image showing what I describe
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
Any other actuaries here?
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John Roberts @johnactuary.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
As we're now in the run in to the year end, it's fair to say that 2024 death registrations will be nearly as good as the best ever year of 2019, after a run of years ranging from dreadful to mediocre. Good news, huh? 1/
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🌈Dr. Frizzle @swilua.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
MENSWEAR GUY IS HERE AND POSTING THIS IS NOT A DRILL
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 08/11/2024
ABS today released life expectancy statistics for 2021-2023 (they publish three year averages). www.abs.gov.au/statistics/p...
abs.gov.au
Life expectancy, 2021 - 2023
Statistics about life tables and life expectancy estimates for Australia, states and territories and life expectancy at birth for sub-state regions.
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 03/11/2024
Australian MWG analysis for year to 30 June. (Jennifer now chairs the MWG and will be posting results here.)
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 01/11/2024
Quick thread on Aust deaths *from* covid for 2024 compared with 2023. Data from the latest ABS Provisional Mortality Statistics, plus small allowance for late reported deaths by moi. www.abs.gov.au/statistics/h...
abs.gov.au
Provisional Mortality Statistics, Jan - Jul 2024
Provisional deaths data for measuring changes in patterns of mortality
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Stuart McDonald @actuarybyday.bsky.social · 23/10/2024
The CMI has released its weekly mortality monitor. Age-standardised death rates this year have tracked the best year on record (2019) fairly closely. Data since 9 Sep may be artificially slightly lower temporarily, due to a change in death the death certification process.
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 23/10/2024
UK life expectancy for 2021-2023, showing an increase. The Aust figures are due out in about two weeks but will show a decline (our 2023 mortality was worse than our 2020)
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 18/10/2024
TGA addresses misinformation about Covid vaccines. I think this is a first? www.tga.gov.au/news/media-r...
tga.gov.au
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 18/10/2024
Just popping a couple of things here - stuff the Australian Mortality Working Group has published since I was last active over here
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 18/10/2024
Still learning this site and just saw this post, enabling me to follow a bunch of science types all at once. Very simple! Anyone have any recs for other good lists?
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 18/10/2024
Pfizer’s JN.1 vax has been approved by TGA for use in Aust; now awaiting ATAGI recommendations. Novavax has not yet applied to TGA but is working towards availability in time for winter 2025. www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
sbs.com.au
A new COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for Australians. Here's what to know
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has given Pfizer's new COVID-19 jab the green light. But what about vaccines from Moderna and Novavax? Here's what we know.
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 24/11/2023
Vaccine eligibility in Australia flowcharts. New versions with small corrections. Old versions now deleted. This is NOT medical advice. Full version in this post. Simplified version in next post.
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CaffeineIsLife @caffeineislife.bsky.social · 18/11/2023
Edward Nirenberg @enirenberg.bsky.social has a new article up dispelling the claims of covid vaccines being "clot shots". There's some good explanation of how/why clots typically form in common situations as well. deplatformdisease.substack.com/p/are-covid-...
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 16/11/2023
Some solid evidence that XBB vaccine is in Australia! One batch of vaccine has passed batch testing, 5 more batches in progress. www.tga.gov.au/products/cov...
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 13/11/2023
Have I managed to follow some weird niche birdwatchers or is this site specifically for twitchers?
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Michael Plank @michaelplanknz.bsky.social · 10/11/2023
We’re in a new COVID wave. What can we expect this time? theconversation.com/were-in-a-ne...
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 03/11/2023
The Covid-19 mortality working group has released our analysis of excess mortality in Australia to 31 July 2023. TLDR: excess mortality is 6% (95% CI: 5-8%) for the first 7 months of 2023, +6,500 excess deaths relative to pre-pandemic expectations. www.actuaries.digital/2023/11/02/c...
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dbRaevn @dbraevn.bsky.social · 27/10/2023
Federal COVID-19 reporting is moving to a monthly reporting schedule, with today being the final weekly report. The next report is expected 10th November 2023. www.health.gov.au/topics/covid...
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Karen Cutter @karencutter.bsky.social · 22/10/2023
Yay! I just discovered @thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social is here! Denis has religiously been tweeting Aust Covid news articles and govt announcements since the dawn of time
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