Exactly one year ago, on March 20, 2020, I created the YLE page. Many people don’t know, but YLE started off as a “daily data driven update” email to staff and faculty…
Which then turned into personal FB posts for family and friends (and my small hometown) signed as “Your Local Epidemiologist”.
After persuasion by my students, I created the YLE FB page. I thought, hell, why not? This will only last, at max 6 weeks, and it’ll be back to normal by summer.
These were my first posts and I was so proud of 34 “likes”.
A year later, this page has cranked out some insane statistics…
421 data-driven, science backed posts
221,052 social media and newsletter subscribers
18,900,000 people reached
Shared in 27 countries
Actively translated in (at least) 6 languages
Like a lot of others, it’s been the slowest fastest year of my life. There have definitely been negative YLE moments, like hacking and not so nice messages…
..but for every bad memory there have been thousands of good ones.
There’s been noteworthy professional milestones (like NPR and NYT interviews, podcasts, invited auditorium talks with thousands in virtual attendance, acting as a board member for Judges, or driving the criteria COVID19 safe election procedures).
But the most cherished YLE outputs are the “smaller” avenues, like talking to the local Girl Scout troop about epidemiology and encouraging them to go into STEM. Or helping mom/pop stores or companies ensure best practices (in exchange for super cute hand drawings from their daughter).
Or helping design a massive inflatable COVID19 replica to encourage vaccinations at corner pharmacies.
But, BY FAR, reading the messages and posts and emails on how YLE helped people digest scientific evidence to make data driven decisions. Like getting a vaccine…
or even hearing from “your local pro-vaxx moms”, “your local social workers”, “your local lactation consultants”, or “your local pharmacists” via surprise baskets.
So, thank you for all of the encouragement throughout this pandemic. I have learned more from you than I could ever teach.
I would be amis to not thank my husband (to pour my wine), my sister (my biggest cheerleader and to make sure my frustration didn’t come out in words but rather actions), my parents (who babysit at all hours of the night so I can work), the scientific community (which I’m humbled to now call my friends), and you (who keep asking the hard questions and keep catching my typos).
I would say “cheers to another upcoming year of YLE” but I don’t know if you really want to hear that.
Love, Katelyn (YLE)
In time of uncertainty and fear, you rose to the occasion and did what you do best...research and report reliable data. This pandemic was politicized which divided people further. Your calm reliable posts were a beacon to many who chose not to divide, but unite. Job well done, YLE. You deserve all the accolades. And you are still my hero.
Your work has been amazing and I can't put into words how much I appreciate your hard work. I just subscribed and donated! Knowledge is powerful 😬