Ari B Friedman
@abfriedman.com
This is my personal account. Faculty at UPenn. Emergency doc, health economist, geriatrics and privacy researcher. Views are my own. RT does not imply endorsement.
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
This is a vivid, horribly relevant read. “She does not sleep well. And as you lift up her pajama top to check her rash one morning, you see that her breathing is labored, shadows pooling between her ribs when she sucks in air. You suffer an icy moment of realization: This is a medical crisis.”
This Is How a Child Dies of Measles
When your family becomes a data point in an outbreak
www.theatlantic.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:35 PM
This is a vivid, horribly relevant read. “She does not sleep well. And as you lift up her pajama top to check her rash one morning, you see that her breathing is labored, shadows pooling between her ribs when she sucks in air. You suffer an icy moment of realization: This is a medical crisis.”
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
February 13, 2026 at 5:44 AM
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
EPA claims repeal will be "de minimis." Based on our forthcoming work on wildfire smoke (below) and a back-of-the-envelope calculation from Table 1 in the final rule, I estimate this action will kill over *200,000 Americans* over the 21st century. De minimis indeed!
www.nber.org/papers/w33829
www.nber.org/papers/w33829
February 13, 2026 at 1:44 PM
EPA claims repeal will be "de minimis." Based on our forthcoming work on wildfire smoke (below) and a back-of-the-envelope calculation from Table 1 in the final rule, I estimate this action will kill over *200,000 Americans* over the 21st century. De minimis indeed!
www.nber.org/papers/w33829
www.nber.org/papers/w33829
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
Tomorrow!
💖 Tomorrow morning! 💖 Join us for the webinar "Disappearing Data: Monitoring Federal SOGI Data Losses and Advancing Accountability."
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
🕛 Time: 10–11 a.m. ET
🔗 Register: myumi.ch/g3dmq
#SOGIdata #LoveData26 #ICPSRDataFair
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
🕛 Time: 10–11 a.m. ET
🔗 Register: myumi.ch/g3dmq
#SOGIdata #LoveData26 #ICPSRDataFair
February 9, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Tomorrow!
Two thoughts:
1. Fortunate to live in a world where nonlinearities are just waiting to be exploited by clever researchers.
2. That book _Cheaper by the Dozen_ had a misleading title.
1. Fortunate to live in a world where nonlinearities are just waiting to be exploited by clever researchers.
2. That book _Cheaper by the Dozen_ had a misleading title.
February 9, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Two thoughts:
1. Fortunate to live in a world where nonlinearities are just waiting to be exploited by clever researchers.
2. That book _Cheaper by the Dozen_ had a misleading title.
1. Fortunate to live in a world where nonlinearities are just waiting to be exploited by clever researchers.
2. That book _Cheaper by the Dozen_ had a misleading title.
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
I don't know for sure, but AHRQ was decimated by staff cuts and losses.
I am checking on any active litigation.
I am checking on any active litigation.
February 9, 2026 at 7:36 PM
I don't know for sure, but AHRQ was decimated by staff cuts and losses.
I am checking on any active litigation.
I am checking on any active litigation.
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
A man taken into custody in Rochester Thursday by federal immigration agents and now held at the Whipple Federal Building in the Twin Cities is a recent organ transplant recipient who is without his needed anti-rejection medication, state Rep. Kim Hicks tells MPR News.
Transplant recipient arrested by federal agents in Rochester needs medicine, state representative says
State Rep. Kim Hicks told MPR News she drove to the Whipple Federal Building near Ft. Snelling Thursday night to give the man his medication but authorities wouldn't take it without a doctor's note. S...
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 6:07 PM
A man taken into custody in Rochester Thursday by federal immigration agents and now held at the Whipple Federal Building in the Twin Cities is a recent organ transplant recipient who is without his needed anti-rejection medication, state Rep. Kim Hicks tells MPR News.
"Alcohol-related emergency department visits approximately doubled from 2003-2004 to 2021-2022, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Alcohol-Related Emergency Department Visits Increase
Alcohol-related emergency department visits approximately doubled from 2003-2004 to 2021-2022, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
jamanetwork.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:59 PM
"Alcohol-related emergency department visits approximately doubled from 2003-2004 to 2021-2022, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
"The greatest flaw in clinical medicine might be our desire to banish uncertainty."
In this Editor's Choice, @kamranabbasi.bsky.social reflects on the tyranny of clinical fear
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
In this Editor's Choice, @kamranabbasi.bsky.social reflects on the tyranny of clinical fear
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
February 5, 2026 at 5:14 PM
"The greatest flaw in clinical medicine might be our desire to banish uncertainty."
In this Editor's Choice, @kamranabbasi.bsky.social reflects on the tyranny of clinical fear
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
In this Editor's Choice, @kamranabbasi.bsky.social reflects on the tyranny of clinical fear
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
Free online CORE Talk (coretalks.org) tomorrow outlining Dr. Mashid Abir's vision for a 21st century U.S. health system optimally responsive to the needs of patients and communities. (registration link on website)
February 5, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Free online CORE Talk (coretalks.org) tomorrow outlining Dr. Mashid Abir's vision for a 21st century U.S. health system optimally responsive to the needs of patients and communities. (registration link on website)
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
The magic wand stethoscope doesn't reliably measure up – yet.
Phonographic and single-lead ECG analysis by AI did not reliably improve diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, or valvular heart disease.
#medsky #MLsky
www.evidencetriage.com/p/not-a-magi...
Phonographic and single-lead ECG analysis by AI did not reliably improve diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, or valvular heart disease.
#medsky #MLsky
www.evidencetriage.com/p/not-a-magi...
Not A Magic Stethoscope – Yet
TRICORDER not yet a tricorder.
www.evidencetriage.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:28 PM
The magic wand stethoscope doesn't reliably measure up – yet.
Phonographic and single-lead ECG analysis by AI did not reliably improve diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, or valvular heart disease.
#medsky #MLsky
www.evidencetriage.com/p/not-a-magi...
Phonographic and single-lead ECG analysis by AI did not reliably improve diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, or valvular heart disease.
#medsky #MLsky
www.evidencetriage.com/p/not-a-magi...
I also do not watch the Pitt (watched half the first episode, enough to know it rings true to reality), but also encourage you to watch.
Then go listen to some CORE Talks to hear what the research has to say: coretalks.org
Then go listen to some CORE Talks to hear what the research has to say: coretalks.org
February 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
I also do not watch the Pitt (watched half the first episode, enough to know it rings true to reality), but also encourage you to watch.
Then go listen to some CORE Talks to hear what the research has to say: coretalks.org
Then go listen to some CORE Talks to hear what the research has to say: coretalks.org
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
Utah joins other Republican state efforts to expand state courts, Arizona and Georgia. The pretext is efficiency, even though there is no evidence that expanding the courts provides this.
February 1, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Utah joins other Republican state efforts to expand state courts, Arizona and Georgia. The pretext is efficiency, even though there is no evidence that expanding the courts provides this.
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
I don't know if anyone has written about the fact that your average Yiddish language textbook gets you up to speed very quickly with the vocabulary for talking about state violence against a minoritized group but like you could
February 1, 2026 at 4:17 PM
I don't know if anyone has written about the fact that your average Yiddish language textbook gets you up to speed very quickly with the vocabulary for talking about state violence against a minoritized group but like you could
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
I've seen videos of the indiscriminate use of tear gas on a large crowd that was clearly peaceful and filled with Portlanders of all ages, and well off the macadam facility. We banned tear gas for a reason. I join Councilor Green in calling for enforcement of our laws.
I just got tear gassed along with thousands of union members, many of whom had their families with them. Federal agents at the ICE facility tear gassed children. We must abolish ICE, DHS, and we must have prosecutions. I expect to see enforcement of our city code prohibiting the use of tear gas.
February 1, 2026 at 2:54 AM
I've seen videos of the indiscriminate use of tear gas on a large crowd that was clearly peaceful and filled with Portlanders of all ages, and well off the macadam facility. We banned tear gas for a reason. I join Councilor Green in calling for enforcement of our laws.
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 1, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
![Ultimately, Petitioners may, because of the arcane United States immigration system, return to
their home country, involuntarily or by self-deportation. But that result should occur through a more
orderly and humane policy than currently in place.
Philadelphia, September 17, 1787: "Well, Dr. Franklin, what do we have?" "A republic, if you
can keep it."
With a judicial finger in the constitutional dike,
It is so ORDERED.
SIGNED this 31st day of February, 2026.
_________________________________________________
FRED BIERY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
[Image of child being arrested]
Credit: Bystander
Matthew 19:14
John 11:35
-](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:g6asx7scljsgdu3vqwtyfszj/bafkreidhaws3jz3vyaikpd3o7fxwvnqgwoougmah4c6oiobgpthlok7twi@jpeg)
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
Dr. Aasma Shaukat, who hired Alex Pretti for a research job over a decade ago, remembers him for his "kindness, compassion and just a strong sense of civic duty to help his fellow citizens."
Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Saturday.
Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Saturday.
January 26, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Dr. Aasma Shaukat, who hired Alex Pretti for a research job over a decade ago, remembers him for his "kindness, compassion and just a strong sense of civic duty to help his fellow citizens."
Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Saturday.
Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Saturday.
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
Stop what you’re doing and read this piece, which is as powerful as you’d expect from @adamserwer.bsky.social witnessing the events of last week on the ground in Minnesota. “The secret fear of the morally depraved is that virtue is actually common, and that they’re the ones who are alone.”
Minnesota Proved MAGA Wrong
The pushback against ICE exposed a series of mistaken assumptions.
www.theatlantic.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Stop what you’re doing and read this piece, which is as powerful as you’d expect from @adamserwer.bsky.social witnessing the events of last week on the ground in Minnesota. “The secret fear of the morally depraved is that virtue is actually common, and that they’re the ones who are alone.”
From my grandmother's story: "One by one our good decent teachers disappeared and instead Nazi teachers replaced them."
January 27, 2026 at 4:02 PM
From my grandmother's story: "One by one our good decent teachers disappeared and instead Nazi teachers replaced them."
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
Science: U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office
By Jeffrey Mervis, Monica Hersher @science.org @policyhound.bsky.social @mghersher.bsky.social
bit.ly/3M8yf9B
By Jeffrey Mervis, Monica Hersher @science.org @policyhound.bsky.social @mghersher.bsky.social
bit.ly/3M8yf9B
U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office
A Science analysis reveals how many were fired, retired, or quit across 14 agencies
bit.ly
January 26, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Science: U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office
By Jeffrey Mervis, Monica Hersher @science.org @policyhound.bsky.social @mghersher.bsky.social
bit.ly/3M8yf9B
By Jeffrey Mervis, Monica Hersher @science.org @policyhound.bsky.social @mghersher.bsky.social
bit.ly/3M8yf9B
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
💔💔 Rest in power, Alex and Renee.
Alex Pretti’s coworkers take a moment of silence this morning
January 26, 2026 at 11:01 PM
💔💔 Rest in power, Alex and Renee.
New paper led by Joel Mantilla and Laura Burke shows massive growth in urgent care use among older adults, now more than 1 visit for every 10 older adults. 1 in 15 visits was by an older adult with ADRD. doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.55345
Urgent Care Trends Among Medicare Beneficiaries, 2012-2019
This cross-sectional study examines urgent care utilization among adults aged 65 years or older and assesses whether utilization rates varied by beneficiary sociodemographic and community characterist...
doi.org
January 26, 2026 at 9:39 PM
New paper led by Joel Mantilla and Laura Burke shows massive growth in urgent care use among older adults, now more than 1 visit for every 10 older adults. 1 in 15 visits was by an older adult with ADRD. doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.55345
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
Normal thing for a major urban American newspaper to have to post.
Here's how to identify some crowd control munitions, canisters of which federal agents have left on the ground after deploying them against people in Minnesota. bit.ly/3YWp1jE
Graphic by Mark Boswell/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Graphic by Mark Boswell/The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 26, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Normal thing for a major urban American newspaper to have to post.
Reposted by Ari B Friedman
There is no “disorder” in Minneapolis. In fact, I believe the people of Minneapolis are leading a brilliant, authentic, incredibly strategic, restrained, non-violent resistance for democratic values and human rights. The authorities of our state (and the media) should have more faith in us.
January 25, 2026 at 6:14 AM
There is no “disorder” in Minneapolis. In fact, I believe the people of Minneapolis are leading a brilliant, authentic, incredibly strategic, restrained, non-violent resistance for democratic values and human rights. The authorities of our state (and the media) should have more faith in us.