using symbols with If statements using variable In Harlowe 2.1.1

Ive been having some trouble. I don't know if twine just doesnt support what im trying to do or if there is another way to go about it. basically when a variable reaches a certain point i want something to happen. however since it deals with negatives and positives and the exact number they could have can change I can simply say

(if: $var is -1)[ blah blah blah]

Here's what ive been doing and there is not error message it just doesn't do what is after the if statement even when it is a negative.
first passage is this.

(link: "test")[(set: $affection to -1)(goto: "test2")]

this is on the second passage test2

(if: $affection is < 0)[ You are dead.]
(print: $affection)

When it prints the variable it is indeed -1 however it does not show the you are dead text. any help would be appreciated.