Erika ZD
@ezd.bsky.social
Professor, Parent, POTsie, baker. Assoc Professor of Classics and WGSS. Taking things slow thanks to long Covid. Sharing Covid science and public health. Always speaking for myself, not my employer.
Reposted by Erika ZD
A real “tell your parents” paper (since everyone on Bsky is canonically 38).
Review of 21 studies of ppl over 50:
• Shingles vax associated w/47% lower risk of Alzheimer’s, 24% lower risk of any dementia
• Pneumonia vax had 36% lower risk of Alzheimer's
• Tdap had 33% lower risk of any dementia
Review of 21 studies of ppl over 50:
• Shingles vax associated w/47% lower risk of Alzheimer’s, 24% lower risk of any dementia
• Pneumonia vax had 36% lower risk of Alzheimer's
• Tdap had 33% lower risk of any dementia
Association between vaccinations and risk of dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
AbstractImportance. Dementia is a highly prevalent issue in older people. Whilst the prevention of dementia is a public health priority, the role of vaccin
academic.oup.com
January 17, 2026 at 1:48 AM
A real “tell your parents” paper (since everyone on Bsky is canonically 38).
Review of 21 studies of ppl over 50:
• Shingles vax associated w/47% lower risk of Alzheimer’s, 24% lower risk of any dementia
• Pneumonia vax had 36% lower risk of Alzheimer's
• Tdap had 33% lower risk of any dementia
Review of 21 studies of ppl over 50:
• Shingles vax associated w/47% lower risk of Alzheimer’s, 24% lower risk of any dementia
• Pneumonia vax had 36% lower risk of Alzheimer's
• Tdap had 33% lower risk of any dementia
Reposted by Erika ZD
"He’s been stolen from us."
Jsané Tyler's cousin Keith Porter, Jr. was shot and killed outside of his apartment complex in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve by an off-duty ICE agent who also lived in the building.
More: https://www.democracynow.org/2026/1/13/keith_porter_jr_ice_shooting
Jsané Tyler's cousin Keith Porter, Jr. was shot and killed outside of his apartment complex in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve by an off-duty ICE agent who also lived in the building.
More: https://www.democracynow.org/2026/1/13/keith_porter_jr_ice_shooting
January 17, 2026 at 8:05 PM
"He’s been stolen from us."
Jsané Tyler's cousin Keith Porter, Jr. was shot and killed outside of his apartment complex in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve by an off-duty ICE agent who also lived in the building.
More: https://www.democracynow.org/2026/1/13/keith_porter_jr_ice_shooting
Jsané Tyler's cousin Keith Porter, Jr. was shot and killed outside of his apartment complex in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve by an off-duty ICE agent who also lived in the building.
More: https://www.democracynow.org/2026/1/13/keith_porter_jr_ice_shooting
Reposted by Erika ZD
Anyone remember that paper by a bunch of computational social scientists working for Microsoft (lol) that proclaimed happily that a wide range of professions would find that gAI would be "applicable" to their professions, and it included everything from historian to customer service staff?
Anyway.
Anyway.
January 17, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Anyone remember that paper by a bunch of computational social scientists working for Microsoft (lol) that proclaimed happily that a wide range of professions would find that gAI would be "applicable" to their professions, and it included everything from historian to customer service staff?
Anyway.
Anyway.
Reposted by Erika ZD
I just want people to know that there is no active insurrection, no regular protests, no rioting or whatever. The only time people are in the streets is when masked armed ICE thugs descend on one of our neighbors to disappear them as part of a federal government-led ethnic cleansing campaign.
January 17, 2026 at 5:46 PM
I just want people to know that there is no active insurrection, no regular protests, no rioting or whatever. The only time people are in the streets is when masked armed ICE thugs descend on one of our neighbors to disappear them as part of a federal government-led ethnic cleansing campaign.
Reposted by Erika ZD
ICE seems to get completely flummoxed when they’re being yelled at by white men over 35. They kind of put their heads down and shuffle their feet. It’s like their kryptonite.
January 17, 2026 at 3:16 PM
ICE seems to get completely flummoxed when they’re being yelled at by white men over 35. They kind of put their heads down and shuffle their feet. It’s like their kryptonite.
Reposted by Erika ZD
No surprise to librarians, but perhaps surprising to users, demands/prices for ebooks /audiobooks are killing public library budgets. David Szalay's book, Flesh,” costs DCPL:
$28.99 hardcopy
$59.99 ebook
$69.99 audiobook
DCPL owns hardcopy; rents & must repurchase ebook & audio book every 2 yrs.
$28.99 hardcopy
$59.99 ebook
$69.99 audiobook
DCPL owns hardcopy; rents & must repurchase ebook & audio book every 2 yrs.
Libraries can't afford e-books. D.C. lawmakers have a plan.
The demand and price for e-books is up — and it’s busting the D.C. Public Library budget.
51st.news
January 17, 2026 at 4:44 AM
No surprise to librarians, but perhaps surprising to users, demands/prices for ebooks /audiobooks are killing public library budgets. David Szalay's book, Flesh,” costs DCPL:
$28.99 hardcopy
$59.99 ebook
$69.99 audiobook
DCPL owns hardcopy; rents & must repurchase ebook & audio book every 2 yrs.
$28.99 hardcopy
$59.99 ebook
$69.99 audiobook
DCPL owns hardcopy; rents & must repurchase ebook & audio book every 2 yrs.
Reposted by Erika ZD
"Media Baffled by Wheelchair ‘Miracles’ Because They Don’t Understand #Disability"
fair.org/home/media-b...
"The distance from the entrance to the gate at larger airports is about a mile, an impossible distance for many with #MECFS"
#LongCovid & the Covid pandemic is mentioned as is #POTS
1/
fair.org/home/media-b...
"The distance from the entrance to the gate at larger airports is about a mile, an impossible distance for many with #MECFS"
#LongCovid & the Covid pandemic is mentioned as is #POTS
1/
January 17, 2026 at 9:37 PM
"Media Baffled by Wheelchair ‘Miracles’ Because They Don’t Understand #Disability"
fair.org/home/media-b...
"The distance from the entrance to the gate at larger airports is about a mile, an impossible distance for many with #MECFS"
#LongCovid & the Covid pandemic is mentioned as is #POTS
1/
fair.org/home/media-b...
"The distance from the entrance to the gate at larger airports is about a mile, an impossible distance for many with #MECFS"
#LongCovid & the Covid pandemic is mentioned as is #POTS
1/
Reposted by Erika ZD
From a Minnesotan: a hearty HELL NO to this. This man is a professional political consultant in DC raising $$ for a political party. There are endless better places to donate to actually help people here suffering and fighting against this nazi invasion. Here’s a start:
www.standwithminnesota.com
www.standwithminnesota.com
January 17, 2026 at 4:18 PM
From a Minnesotan: a hearty HELL NO to this. This man is a professional political consultant in DC raising $$ for a political party. There are endless better places to donate to actually help people here suffering and fighting against this nazi invasion. Here’s a start:
www.standwithminnesota.com
www.standwithminnesota.com
Reposted by Erika ZD
Mary Oliver agreeing with Walt Whitman on what a poem foundationally is.
January 17, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Mary Oliver agreeing with Walt Whitman on what a poem foundationally is.
Reposted by Erika ZD
Given the timing, we consider this to be targeted harassment as punishment for exercising our First Amendment rights.
We're still handing out free whistles. And we just got in hundreds of new yard signs.
Keep resisting, Minnesota. We love you.
We're still handing out free whistles. And we just got in hundreds of new yard signs.
Keep resisting, Minnesota. We love you.
January 17, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Given the timing, we consider this to be targeted harassment as punishment for exercising our First Amendment rights.
We're still handing out free whistles. And we just got in hundreds of new yard signs.
Keep resisting, Minnesota. We love you.
We're still handing out free whistles. And we just got in hundreds of new yard signs.
Keep resisting, Minnesota. We love you.
Reposted by Erika ZD
The “insurrectionists” in Minnesota are doing things like delivering groceries to neighbors who can’t safely leave their homes.
January 15, 2026 at 7:27 PM
The “insurrectionists” in Minnesota are doing things like delivering groceries to neighbors who can’t safely leave their homes.
Reposted by Erika ZD
The scribe emerges in the margin from the line-filler to write the text.
Bodleian Library MS. Douce 6; Psalter; c.1320 CE-1330 CE; Flanders (Ghent) f.61r @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Bodleian Library MS. Douce 6; Psalter; c.1320 CE-1330 CE; Flanders (Ghent) f.61r @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
January 16, 2026 at 10:43 PM
The scribe emerges in the margin from the line-filler to write the text.
Bodleian Library MS. Douce 6; Psalter; c.1320 CE-1330 CE; Flanders (Ghent) f.61r @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Bodleian Library MS. Douce 6; Psalter; c.1320 CE-1330 CE; Flanders (Ghent) f.61r @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Reposted by Erika ZD
Alt text, because one would think folks would want news about a general strike to go as far as it can.
January 16, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Alt text, because one would think folks would want news about a general strike to go as far as it can.
Reposted by Erika ZD
Ellison: "This was a family taking their kids from an athletic event and they ended up getting caught in the middle of the ICE behavior & protesters, & then, inexplicably, they shot tear gas too close to the car & that caused the infant to have some respiratory problems. CPR had to be administered."
January 16, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Ellison: "This was a family taking their kids from an athletic event and they ended up getting caught in the middle of the ICE behavior & protesters, & then, inexplicably, they shot tear gas too close to the car & that caused the infant to have some respiratory problems. CPR had to be administered."
Reposted by Erika ZD
I don’t think people quite understand that the occupation by ICE in the Twin Cities has more or less erased non-white people from public life. They cannot safely exist in any space accessible to the public and moving between private places leaves folks vulnerable to kidnapping by armed masked goons.
January 16, 2026 at 10:15 PM
I don’t think people quite understand that the occupation by ICE in the Twin Cities has more or less erased non-white people from public life. They cannot safely exist in any space accessible to the public and moving between private places leaves folks vulnerable to kidnapping by armed masked goons.
Reposted by Erika ZD
The City Council for the Occupied Territory of Minneapolis met today at 2 PM. 🧵
TLDR: The council unanimously adopted a resolution calling for Gov. Walz to implement an eviction moratorium in response to the ongoing occupation by ICE, and a resolution condemning ICE activity.
TLDR: The council unanimously adopted a resolution calling for Gov. Walz to implement an eviction moratorium in response to the ongoing occupation by ICE, and a resolution condemning ICE activity.
January 16, 2026 at 12:46 AM
The City Council for the Occupied Territory of Minneapolis met today at 2 PM. 🧵
TLDR: The council unanimously adopted a resolution calling for Gov. Walz to implement an eviction moratorium in response to the ongoing occupation by ICE, and a resolution condemning ICE activity.
TLDR: The council unanimously adopted a resolution calling for Gov. Walz to implement an eviction moratorium in response to the ongoing occupation by ICE, and a resolution condemning ICE activity.
Reposted by Erika ZD
At one point today, there were 283 Minnesota attorneys doing a training on how to file emergency habeas petitions to keep our neighbors from being shipped out of state and held indefinitely.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
January 15, 2026 at 11:48 PM
At one point today, there were 283 Minnesota attorneys doing a training on how to file emergency habeas petitions to keep our neighbors from being shipped out of state and held indefinitely.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
Reposted by Erika ZD
"Two to three thousand armed agents of the federal government have been deployed to Minnesota.
Armed, masked, undertrained ICE agents are going door to door, ordering people to point out where their neighbors of color live."
Armed, masked, undertrained ICE agents are going door to door, ordering people to point out where their neighbors of color live."
Governor Walz Addresses Ongoing Federal Presence in Minnesota
YouTube video by Office of the Governor of Minnesota
youtu.be
January 15, 2026 at 2:32 AM
"Two to three thousand armed agents of the federal government have been deployed to Minnesota.
Armed, masked, undertrained ICE agents are going door to door, ordering people to point out where their neighbors of color live."
Armed, masked, undertrained ICE agents are going door to door, ordering people to point out where their neighbors of color live."
Reposted by Erika ZD
Walz: "What's happening in MN defies belief. News reports simply don't do justice to the level of chaos & disruption & trauma the federal govt is raining down... This long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. Instead, it's a campaign of organized brutality against the people of MN"
January 15, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Walz: "What's happening in MN defies belief. News reports simply don't do justice to the level of chaos & disruption & trauma the federal govt is raining down... This long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. Instead, it's a campaign of organized brutality against the people of MN"
Reposted by Erika ZD
Mpls: If you are working to support neighbors right now I *highly* suggest avoiding the generic "let me know what you need" and instead asking/offering directly:
"I'm going to the store. Send me a list."
"Do you need shampoo? Fruit? Toilet paper?"
"Can I help with your laundry?"
"I'm going to the store. Send me a list."
"Do you need shampoo? Fruit? Toilet paper?"
"Can I help with your laundry?"
January 14, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Mpls: If you are working to support neighbors right now I *highly* suggest avoiding the generic "let me know what you need" and instead asking/offering directly:
"I'm going to the store. Send me a list."
"Do you need shampoo? Fruit? Toilet paper?"
"Can I help with your laundry?"
"I'm going to the store. Send me a list."
"Do you need shampoo? Fruit? Toilet paper?"
"Can I help with your laundry?"
Reposted by Erika ZD
“Chemical weapons are being used widely in the area”
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PICKUP
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PICKUP
This is Minneapolis elementary school pick up:
The alert also recommends: "Bring your whistle & wear your hat. If you have a respirator or goggles bring them in a small backpack. We don't want to show up looking alarming for the kids but chemical weapons are being used widely in the area."
2/2
The alert also recommends: "Bring your whistle & wear your hat. If you have a respirator or goggles bring them in a small backpack. We don't want to show up looking alarming for the kids but chemical weapons are being used widely in the area."
2/2
January 14, 2026 at 12:57 AM
“Chemical weapons are being used widely in the area”
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PICKUP
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PICKUP
Reposted by Erika ZD
It is quite reasonable to slow down if someone is following you too closely to make sure they stay safe if you need to make a sudden stop.
Advice from a professional driver
Advice from a professional driver
January 14, 2026 at 12:12 AM
It is quite reasonable to slow down if someone is following you too closely to make sure they stay safe if you need to make a sudden stop.
Advice from a professional driver
Advice from a professional driver
Reposted by Erika ZD
Reposted by Erika ZD
Yes, immigration agents not only took Arnoldo's phone, the 10th grader had to use Find My Phone to locate it — in a vending machine for used electronics, close to an ICE detention center.
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
January 14, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Yes, immigration agents not only took Arnoldo's phone, the 10th grader had to use Find My Phone to locate it — in a vending machine for used electronics, close to an ICE detention center.
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Reposted by Erika ZD
We've lead charmed weather lives so far in January.
Temperatures are +5F to +10F across MN so far this month. 🌡️
We're about to be reminded what persistent cold and occasional snow feels like. ❄️
MSP could bottom out -10 to -20 next Tue.
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Temperatures are +5F to +10F across MN so far this month. 🌡️
We're about to be reminded what persistent cold and occasional snow feels like. ❄️
MSP could bottom out -10 to -20 next Tue.
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Arctic cold and snow return to Minnesota
A pattern change brings much colder temperatures with occasional snow Thursday into the upcoming weekend.
www.mprnews.org
January 13, 2026 at 9:33 PM
We've lead charmed weather lives so far in January.
Temperatures are +5F to +10F across MN so far this month. 🌡️
We're about to be reminded what persistent cold and occasional snow feels like. ❄️
MSP could bottom out -10 to -20 next Tue.
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Temperatures are +5F to +10F across MN so far this month. 🌡️
We're about to be reminded what persistent cold and occasional snow feels like. ❄️
MSP could bottom out -10 to -20 next Tue.
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...