Dave Pataky, Ph.D.

Former scientist, current IT wiz, guitar enthusiast. Advocate for improving indoor air quality.

[Joe Abraham @angeldadjoe]

.@GovPritzker, I saw your post honoring lives lost in Minnesota—standing publicly, naming Alex Pretti and Renee Good, and laying flowers in their memory.

But where was that same compassion on January 19, 2025?

That is the day my 20-year-old daughter, Katie Abraham, was killed here in Illinois. She was innocent. She did not knowingly put herself in the middle of an ongoing law enforcement situation. She was not making a dangerous choice.

She was simply living her life—and it was taken from her.

You have never said her name. You have never come to where she died. You have never acknowledged her publicly.

And beyond that—you have never even responded to me.

I sent you a simple, non-political letter. Not for attention. Not for headlines. Just a father asking for clarity, for answers, and for understanding of the state’s position.

You never replied.

And now, in the wake of another tragedy here in Chicago, your public display of compassion elsewhere—while remaining silent about victims in your own state—feels deeply disconnected from the reality families like mine are living every day.

Instead, you continue to defend sanctuary policies that create the conditions where preventable tragedies like hers can happen.

This is not about politics. It’s about leadership and accountability.

When you choose to publicly mourn some victims while remaining silent about others—especially those lost under policies you support—it sends a message.

Whether intentional or not, it tells families like mine that our loss does not matter the same way.

So I am asking you directly:

Where is your compassion for my daughter? Where is your acknowledgment of victims here in Illinois? And when will you take responsibility for the consequences of the policies you defend?

Say her name: Katie Abraham.

Stand where she died. Show the people of Illinois that every life matters.

[Dave Pataky, Ph.D. @davepataky]

I'm building 2 apps for iOS right now, never thought I'd say that lol. Cloding is a little addictive I have to admit, to watch a project come together quickly and easily is super gratifying. If you haven't tried it yet, just do it, Claude will help you get started!

[Dave Pataky, Ph.D. @davepataky]

I've discovered Claude Code @AnthropicAI . I used to dabble in programming, it's incredible what these new coding LLMs can do. Significantly lowers the barrier to entry for programming, and speeds the development of code. CC is the best, I like to call it "cloding"

[Dave Pataky, Ph.D. @davepataky]

@Notatmypicnic @adriandix @Dave_Eby @RachnaSinghNDP @SoniaFurstenau @SKGandhiMD @KevinFalcon @elenoresturko I did not...but thanks for tagging me, I'll check it out!

[Amanda Hu @amandalhu]

The thing that caused the most hardship from COVID restrictions was THE DISMAL, SLAPDASH, ALWAYS WEEKS TOO LATE APPROACH by chicken shit govts that didn’t even align with how COVID actually spreads. The policies were implemented in the least effective and most punitive ways. 1/

[Jeff Gilchrist @jeffgilchrist]

The wealthy know how to protect themselves and don't think COVID is mild

While most governments and public health organizations are downplaying the severity of #COVID and relying on a vaccine only strategy, do you know who is taking COVID much more seriously? #DavosSafe 🧵1/

[Yoni Freedhoff @YoniFreedhoff]

A brief thread on being a media MD & the latest COVID gaslighting. During the pandemic I’ve done my share of interviews, I’ve turned down more requests than I’ve taken choosing instead to steer reporters to those whose training and expertise are more COVID suited than mine /1

[David Fisman @DFisman]

A reminder that Dr Henry’s limited understanding of how PPE works, and inability to work collaboratively with occupational health professionals, was on full display in the Seven Oaks report in 2005

Here’s what Justice Campbell had to say at that time

https://t.co/Mb7XwhEuoW

[Brent McConnell @brentmYYC]

Top Canadian WHO adviser under fire after downplaying airborne threat of COVID-19

Dr. John Conly says N95 masks cause 'harms,' focus should be on physical distancing
https://t.co/wzQeH8gosj

[Dave Pataky, Ph.D. @davepataky]

I'm not an engineer, but the CR box has been a no-brainer since its introduction. The resistance to such a simple, cheap and effective mitigation, however, has been mind-blowing 🤯, especially in schools. #CorsiRosenthalBox

[Richard Corsi, PhD, PE (Texas) @CorsIAQ]

1/ Study by researchers at NIOSH/CDC add to the MOUNTING evidence that shows the #CorsiRosenthalBox to be a highly-effective means of lowering inhalation dose of virus-laden respiratory aerosol particles in classrooms.

https://t.co/RzN70zPPXY

[Dave Pataky, Ph.D. @davepataky]

@HislopMD @CandaceLatham1 Underrated tweet!

[Dave Pataky, Ph.D. @davepataky]

@daveyguitr3 Be interesting to know how the snow removal budget has changed in the last 15 years...Vancouver used to do much better than this.

[Dr. Lyne Filiatrault @DrFiliatrault]

"We have not had a single 🇨🇦 MHO & Dr. Tam say the word "Airborne! If you misdirect policy on the underpinnings of a crisis... not being able to talk about airborne transmission for #COVID, you are going to fail! Because science underpins everything... We are failing." @jvipondmd

[Dave Pataky, Ph.D. @davepataky]

@OhCasavant @Faussenurse @WBahnfleth @kul_akshay_ Go Tracy Go!! What can I do to help??

[Dr Ellie Murray, ScD @EpiEllie]

Last week, the BC CDC posted a pre-print estimating past COVID infections in Vancouver & southern BC.

This study is a testament to the successful pre-omicron prevention efforts of the BC covid team and a damning indictment of the failed response to omicron & sub-variants.

A 🧵

[Colin Furness MISt PhD MPH @FurnessColin]

I've been studying the BC COVID seroprevalence study, co-authored by Bonnie Henry, who until recently had insisted that schools were safe. And now we know that most children (more than adults) have been infected.

It's presented as good news: robust "hybrid immunity!!"

1/17

[Dave Pataky, Ph.D. @davepataky]

@OhCasavant I can't like this enough, nice work! Having gone up against my District (but from a different angle) and ended with the same result, I'll be watching this closely to see what happens. Do keep us posted and keep up the pressure!!

[Dave Pataky, Ph.D. @davepataky]

@crystalmundypsy Nice work, Crystal!

[Dave Pataky, Ph.D. @davepataky]

@crystalmundypsy Aww crap, sorry to hear. Here's to a full and speedy recovery!

[Dave Pataky, Ph.D. @davepataky]

@nathalie_k1 @j_g_allen @nytimes Vitacore sells a great kids mask, ear loop though.