Healthcare experts offer peek inside their homes; Room Rater judges

One unexpected side effect of the pandemic has been giving us a voyeuristic look inside the homes of various TV personalities, journalists and assorted experts. Given the nature of the current crisis, that group includes a hearty helping of healthcare wonks, physicians and public health authorities.

And so a Twitter account has risen to pass judgment on each talking head’s abode: Room Rater, with the deftly descriptive handle @ratemyskyperoom. Run by Washington, D.C., couple Claude Taylor and Jessie Bahrey, Room Rater since April has been dishing out pithy snap verdicts on decor, camera angles and lighting.

While it’s difficult to conduct a comprehensive survey of the prolific pair’s rulings, some of their Twitter feed’s latest appraisals reveal some pretty solid scores for healthcare.

Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips, Providence’s chief clinical officer, won an elusive perfect 10/10. “Art plus. Strong design. Flowers. Lights. Even pillows.”

Five physicians and one academic have garnered 9/10 scores, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Scott Gottlieb (“It’s a digital pergola. Among best covid Twitter accounts”); and NYU medical ethics professor Arthur Caplan (“Nicely lighted shelves. French doors plus. Depth. Tidy up on right”). Former CMS acting Administrator Andy Slavitt captured a solid 8/10 (“Dark but with great use of a shaft of natural light. Appropriately dramatic”).

Not all judgments are approving. Room Rater had a (partially) harsh critique for a royal pair about their televised video call to British Columbia healthcare workers. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate to us Yanks) were advised: “BC thanks you for calling front line workers yesterday (10/10). However, this is borderline hostage video with small art. Please leave this room. 6/10.”