“You know those white women you see in pictures screaming at the black girls walking into schools? That’s who so many of you are right now when it comes to trans kids. It’s disgusting.” — Imani Gandy
Deaths
US: 997,933
World: 6,101,013
Cases
US: 81,410,101
World: 471,069,142
Covid-19 Isn’t Done With Us. Are We Prepared For the Next Surge? Experts explain what a new variant, lifting of mask mandates, and some disheartening news from D.C. might mean for the country. While outbreaks in Europe and Asia are on the rise— and a spike in cases in the United States likely on the horizon, Congress this week removed $15 billion in Covid-related funding from a $1.5 trillion spending bill. The White House warns this will mean dire cuts to testing, treatment and vaccine distribution, with some services suspended as soon as next week. That same day the Senate voted to overturn the public health order requiring masks on airplanes and public transit. All of this has left many public health and infectious disease experts—and confused members of the public—concerned about what’s coming our way next, and how we, as a country, are going to deal with it…This is not exactly the position we’d like to find ourselves in two years into the pandemic — especially with a new variant spreading, and masking now being the exception rather than the norm. But it’s not March 2020. This time, we do have the tools to prevent and treat severe infections: we just may not be able to access them.
‘This is just the start': Research into Covid-19 opens doors to understanding other diseases and conditions. The billions of dollars invested in covid vaccines and covid-19 research so far are expected to yield medical and scientific dividends for decades, helping doctors battle influenza, cancer, cystic fibrosis, and far more diseases.
COVID-19 may be linked to spontaneous psychosis. Researchers are trying to figure out why. There’s growing evidence that COVID-19 and new psychotic episodes are connected…“The situation was strikingly similar to one we’d expect from someone who had a schizophrenia spectrum illness.”…COVID-19-related psychotic breaks are rare—though researchers say that it’s too early to say exactly how rare—and plenty of experts believe that the connection between the two conditions, if any, is not causal…Still, researchers are investigating the link…There are more questions than answers at this point. It’s still unclear whether the severity of COVID-19 symptoms plays any role in the likelihood of a psychotic break…One other bit of evidence that COVID-19 is linked to psychotic breaks comes not from the current scientific literature, but from history. Following the influenza pandemic of 1918 and 1919, there was a spike in what was called encephalitis lethargica, which was essentially a form of early-onset Parkinson’s disease that often didn’t appear for a number of years after the infection—but left patients in what was effectively a state of catatonia…By no means is the case for virus-triggered psychosis closed…Of course, even a transitory psychosis is still a psychosis—something no one wants to experience even fleetingly. That puts a premium on avoiding infection in the first place. “The best way to treat COVID-19 and the risk of psychosis is to prevent it,” says Smith. “Even if neurological complications are rare, getting vaccinated remains the smartest choice.”
After reaching an agreement with labor unions, the Los Angeles United School District, the second-largest public school district in the nation, will lift its Covid-19 mask mandate starting next week.
Omicron survives longer on some surfaces, studies find, but it's no reason to panic. Under experimental conditions, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus survives at least twice as long on surfaces like plastic, paper and skin than the original strain that emerged from Wuhan, China, which may help explain how this variant has become so contagious, two recent studies show. There's no need to start obsessively wiping and washing, however. Even though Omicron may survive longer on surfaces, you're probably still more likely to be infected by inhaling the virus rather than by touching something that's been contaminated.
Justice Thomas hospitalized with infection, high court says. Thomas, 73, has been at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., since Friday after experiencing “flu-like symptoms,” the court said in a statement.
Trump White House aide was secret author of report used to push ‘big lie’. The previously unreported involvement of the Trump White House aide in the preparation of the Dominion report raises the extraordinary situation of at least one administration official being among the original sources of Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
How Kremlin accounts manipulate Twitter. He looked at how many times each Twitter account retweeted one of the other 74 profiles within an hour. He discovered that the Kremlin's network of Twitter accounts work together to retweet and drive up traffic. This practice is sometimes called "astroturfing" - when the owner of several accounts uses the profiles they control to retweet content and amplify reach.
Is the GOP’s War on Women Now Pro-Rapist? One would assume that Republicans giving women 10 weeks instead of six weeks to terminate their pregnancy is a form of compassion and enlightenment, but not in this case where even ectopic pregnancies are not allowed. These pregnancies, which are not viable, are the leading cause of death for women in their first trimester as the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus and often leads to hemorrhaging if not aborted. But Republicans will never let science and women’s health stand in the way of their zealous, regressive crusade. If this bill is passed, the only choice a woman will have is the following: jail or death…With the upcoming midterms expecting to be a rout for Republicans, it seems any attempt to save Roe v. Wade is bleak and the latest GOP onslaught against women’s rights will only accelerate—even though the right to an abortion is supported by the majority of Americans. — The party of personal freedom sure the fuck goes out of the way to actively control women. Fuck you if you support making abortion illegal. You’re a disgrace to humanity. And you are certainly not pro-fucking-life. You’re a controlling asshole.
Washington governor signs bill blocking abortion lawsuits. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed a bill on Thursday that blocks people or the government from bringing a lawsuit against those seeking an abortion or assisting someone looking for an abortion, a response to Texas's controversial six-week abortion ban, which allows such suits.
Texas’ Anti-Trans Crusade Is Spreading. But typical gender-affirming treatments for kids are deemed safe and effective by major medical associations like the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. They are often medically necessary to help kids who are struggling with suicidal thoughts and depression because of their gender dysphoria, or feelings of distress that are caused by a mismatch between their gender identity and the way they look. The treatments are given slowly, and only when children request it. And doctors aren’t performing any surgeries on kids that could permanently alter their bodies or make them infertile…Studies suggest these medical interventions can greatly reduce their risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, while helping them be more confident. (Researchers at the University of Washington found that trans teens who received puberty blockers and hormones were 73 percent less likely to be suicidal compared with those who did not.) It’s not until adulthood that they might opt for surgeries on their breasts or genitals. — Be a compassionate and loving human being. Don’t be a Republican.
California bill seeks to make state a "refuge for transgender children and their parents". The bill, introduced by State Sen. Scott Wiener (D), would legally protect parents who support their children’s access to transgender health care by blocking out-of-state court judgements removing the children from their parents’ custody.
'Ghost guns' showing up in school shootings, experts fear trend will get worse. A "ghost gun" is a firearm that comes packaged in parts, can be bought online and assembled without much of a trace, which experts warn are becoming increasingly dangerous. The first is a plastic gun that can be made with a 3D printer and usually fires one bullet. The second version, which he said has been increasingly found at crime scenes, is do-it-yourself gun assembly kits that include all the parts of a gun, but without serial numbers or specific components. McCourt said these homemade guns bypass state and federal laws requiring tracing.
South Carolina says it's ready for firing squad executions. The S.C. Department of Corrections informed S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson today that the department is now able to carry out an execution by firing squad as required by law under S.C. Code 24-3-530…The death chamber has been renovated to accommodate a firing squad. The chamber now includes a chair in which inmates will sit if they choose execution by firing squad. The chair is in a corner of the room away from the current electric chair, which cannot be moved. Bullet-resistant glass has been installed between the witness room and death chamber.
The firing squad chair is metal with restraints and is surrounded by protective equipment. The chair faces a wall with a rectangular opening 15 feet away. — Now will Texas top this with reintroducing public hangings? Here’s the AP story.
‘Incels’ are a rising threat in the US, Secret Service report finds. A new US Secret Service report details a rising threat from men who identify as “involuntary celibates” or “incels”, due to their inability to form intimate relationships with women. The report released on Tuesday and prepared by the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) highlights behavioral threat assessment themes identified in years of research examining targeted violence. Themes include concerning and threatening communications, concerning online content, chronic and acute stressors, elicited concern in others, interpersonal difficulties, history of being bullied, financial instability, failed life aspirations and lack of consequences…According to the report, NTAC research has shown no specific profile of an individual who plans or executes an act of targeted violence. Attackers vary in age, race, sex, education level, employment history and other characteristics. However, a unifying factor among most attackers is a set of concerning behaviors displayed before acts of violence.
Divesting From Fossil Fuels? Not in Texas. Texas is threatening to cut ties with some of the world’s biggest financial firms over their efforts to address the climate crisis. On Wednesday, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar sent letters to 19 investment firms, including financial giants BlackRock and JPMorgan Chase, accusing them of violating a new state law that prohibits Texas from doing business with any companies that are divesting from the fossil fuel industry for environmental reasons. It’s the latest move from Texas leaders to stifle a climate movement that they believe threatens the state’s bottom line. It also highlights the state’s propensity to lean into America’s culture war, which continues to paralyze Congress in its ability to pass any kind of meaningful climate policy, even as public pressure to advance climate action grows and the nation experiences some of the worst extreme weather events ever recorded.
Heatwaves at both of Earth’s poles alarm climate scientists. At this time of year, the Antarctic should be rapidly cooling after its summer, and the Arctic only slowly emerging from its winter, as days lengthen. For both poles to show such heating at once is unprecedented.
Study raises questions about risks of using medical marijuana for mood and anxiety disorders. Some people with pain, anxiety or depression who obtain medical marijuana cards may overuse marijuana within a short time frame, leading to cannabis use disorder while failing to improve their symptoms, a new study found. Cannabis use disorder, also known as marijuana use disorder, is associated with dependence on the use of weed. People are considered dependent on weed when they feel food cravings or have a lack of appetite, irritability, restlessness, and mood and sleep difficulties after quitting, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCLA seeks applications for an Assistant Adjunct Professor on a without salary basis. Applicants must understand there will be no compensation for this position. — What the actual fuck?
Philly High Schools Pushing Start Times to 9 a.m. The change is designed to help students be rested and ready to learn.
The U.S. Tried Permanent Daylight Saving Time Before. Here's What Happened. “We’ve already tried year-round Daylight Saving Time, and we found that it was very unpopular. So I would expect some of the same problems might happen again,” says Prerau.
Doritos bags now have five fewer chips thanks to 'shrinkflation'. "Shrinkflation," as consumer watchdog ConsumerWorld.org explains, is when manufacturers sneakily reduce the size or amount of their products, but still charge similar prices. This apparently combats a need for businesses to raise prices on their products…Analysts estimate Frito-Lay will save more than $50 million by reducing the number of chips put into their bags. — Pay more, get less. It’s the American way.
Mike Tyson is selling ear-shaped cannabis-infused edibles called 'Mike Bites'. More than two decades after Mike Tyson bit off a chunk of Evander Holyfield's ear at the 1997 WBA Heavyweight Championship fight, the legendary boxer has released a line of edibles -- in the shape of ears. — Yep. It’s true. Oh the world we live in.
36-million-year-old fossil of "sea monster" found in Peruvian desert. Paleontologists on Thursday unveiled the fossilized remains of an ancient whale that inhabited the seas 36 million years ago, found last year in a Peruvian desert. Scientists called the creature a "sea monster" that "surely did a lot of damage."…"The most incredible thing is that the skull is in a very good state of preservation, it has complete teeth; it was a first-order predator, at the top of that time that fed on fish penguins; a sea monster just as they imagine it and we think it is a new species," Salas said. The "Ocucaje Predator," as the researchers dubbed it, was about 55 feet long and used its massive, powerful teeth to feed on tuna, sharks and schools of sardines…"This finding is very important because there are no other similar specimens discovered in the world.”…The Ocucaje Desert is rich in fossils, the researchers said, providing scientists with 42 million years' worth of evolutionary evidence. Other fossils found there include four-legged dwarf whales, dolphins, sharks and other species from the Miocene period, between 23 million and five million years ago.
Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.
Until next time, my friends. Stay safe and stay sane. Good night.
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