This tweet summary uses a NodeXL extract of 18,923 tweets using the #covid19uk hashtag posted by 8,819 tweeters during February 2021, receiving 20,395 retweets by the time the extract was updated on 20 March 2021 (leaving enough time for viral tweets to have received much of their likely retweeting activity). 
The raw data are available here. Read the January summary here.  There is more detail available in an ongoing tweet thread.
Overall 415 (4.7%) tweeters received 80% of all retweets, while 6,346 (72%) tweeters received no retweets. The top 25 tweeters by retweets received are shown in the table below. The top 84 tweets - 3 for each day - are listed below. I have taken the most retweeted tweets for each day, listed chronologically, without editing the tweets any further. There were a maximum of 4 tweets per tweeter which gives a reasonable balance. Once again there are tweets from across the spectrum of views about Covid-19, lockdown and vaccination. Once again I need to state clearly that I do not agree with some of the views stated in some of the tweets listed below. There is clear evidence of disinformation and misinformation in some of these tweets. Understanding these views, their purpose (e.g. financial, mischief making, response to distress, attempted humour) and their disseminators is of interest for future study. Armchair epidemiologists, covidiots and lockdown/ vaccine deniers can potentially do a lot of harm and their views are far removed from the very real experience of healthcare workers. A powerful tweet by Dr Ali G highlights this well, responding to a media figure: "Julia has no idea how terrifying acute #CovidPneumonia is or what being so ill in hospital w/ out any visitors feels like. She certainly has no idea how guilty “one” would feel knowing that you gave #Covid19UK to someone else because you didn’t follow the advice. DON’T BE JULIA!".
I would repeat that Covid-19 infection is a dangerous infection, both for individuals, healthcare and the economy as a whole, and that we should continue to observe physical distancing, mask wearing and hand hygiene. We should accept the offer of vaccination (I have been vaccinated twice as a healthcare worker). 
A PDF version of this summary is available. 
The March 2021 summary is available here.

Items