Optimism and pessimism analysis using deep learning on COVID-19 related twitter conversations

•A new deep learning approach to understand how optimism and pessimism feelings are conveyed in COVID-19 twitter conversations.•Two new annotated corpora to evaluate optimism and pessimism predictive models over social media posts.•A transfer learning approach based on the BERT model for predicting optimism and pessimism in tweets.•Provides a relevant tool for the management of pandemics, health crises and trauma-related stress.