Laura Weiss
@lauralew105.bsky.social
Writer covering social issues especially health justice, disability, immigration & labor mostly for Prism Reports and New Republic. Editor at IndyKids. Forever NACLA. I also have a TV newsletter and beloved cat. She/her. Website: Lauraweiss.me
Pinned
How RFK Jr.’s “MAHA” Quackery Is Making Flu Season Worse
Across the country, the staggering costs of vaccine denialism are piling up, to deadly effect.
newrepublic.com
Why is flu season so bad this year? Lower vaccination rates, MAHA madness, and a poorly matched strain are part of the answer. But a less discussed aspect is a slew of research finding that prior Covid-19 infections can damage the immune system. @newrepublic.com newrepublic.com/article/2059...
Reposted by Laura Weiss
RFK Jr. says we should check with AI about what to eat and then AI totally dunked on his stupid dietary guidance.
Also @bethmariem.bsky.social is doing some downright incredible work, and this article is another tour de force of very professional shade.
Also @bethmariem.bsky.social is doing some downright incredible work, and this article is another tour de force of very professional shade.
RFK Jr. food pyramid site links to Grok, which says you shouldn’t trust RFK Jr.
Grok generated a meal plan to fit RFK Jr.'s food pyramid, then explained why it's bad.
arstechnica.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:49 PM
RFK Jr. says we should check with AI about what to eat and then AI totally dunked on his stupid dietary guidance.
Also @bethmariem.bsky.social is doing some downright incredible work, and this article is another tour de force of very professional shade.
Also @bethmariem.bsky.social is doing some downright incredible work, and this article is another tour de force of very professional shade.
Reposted by Laura Weiss
“Many parents are already unsure if their child needs a flu vaccine, and the secretary’s statements can tip the balance and lead to less use,” said Dorit Reiss, a law professor and vaccine policy expert at the University of California Law, in a statement to The New Republic. trib.al/QZu3Lws
How RFK Jr.’s “MAHA” Quackery Is Making Flu Season Worse
Across the country, the staggering costs of vaccine denialism are piling up, to deadly effect.
trib.al
February 11, 2026 at 11:43 PM
“Many parents are already unsure if their child needs a flu vaccine, and the secretary’s statements can tip the balance and lead to less use,” said Dorit Reiss, a law professor and vaccine policy expert at the University of California Law, in a statement to The New Republic. trib.al/QZu3Lws
Inconsistent public health messaging “undermines trust,” said @zalaly.bsky.social. “All of that political turmoil and misinformation … has a true effect on people’s lives.” newrepublic.com/article/2059...
How RFK Jr.’s “MAHA” Quackery Is Making Flu Season Worse
Across the country, the staggering costs of vaccine denialism are piling up, to deadly effect.
newrepublic.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Inconsistent public health messaging “undermines trust,” said @zalaly.bsky.social. “All of that political turmoil and misinformation … has a true effect on people’s lives.” newrepublic.com/article/2059...
Reposted by Laura Weiss
RFK Jr certainly knows.
Marty Makary certainly knows.
White House SHOULD and likely does know. And that’s the problem….
Marty Makary certainly knows.
White House SHOULD and likely does know. And that’s the problem….
February 12, 2026 at 5:40 PM
RFK Jr certainly knows.
Marty Makary certainly knows.
White House SHOULD and likely does know. And that’s the problem….
Marty Makary certainly knows.
White House SHOULD and likely does know. And that’s the problem….
Reposted by Laura Weiss
Today in @thenation.com, originally entitled No Quick Fixes for Fascism
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Abolition Is Still the Only Way Out of This
Forget the useless so-called “reforms” to ICE and policing currently on offer. We need much more fundamental change.
www.thenation.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Today in @thenation.com, originally entitled No Quick Fixes for Fascism
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Why is flu season so bad this year? Lower vaccination rates, MAHA madness, and a poorly matched strain are part of the answer. But a less discussed aspect is a slew of research finding that prior Covid-19 infections can damage the immune system. @newrepublic.com newrepublic.com/article/2059...
How RFK Jr.’s “MAHA” Quackery Is Making Flu Season Worse
Across the country, the staggering costs of vaccine denialism are piling up, to deadly effect.
newrepublic.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Why is flu season so bad this year? Lower vaccination rates, MAHA madness, and a poorly matched strain are part of the answer. But a less discussed aspect is a slew of research finding that prior Covid-19 infections can damage the immune system. @newrepublic.com newrepublic.com/article/2059...
Gasped at this. They say the flu vaccine doesn’t work well then they reject research into a better one. It’s all a guise. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Prasad overruled FDA staff to reject Moderna's flu vaccine application
The rejection is the latest instance of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Gasped at this. They say the flu vaccine doesn’t work well then they reject research into a better one. It’s all a guise. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Reposted by Laura Weiss
“We are in this world where no immigrant is supposed to feel welcome.” Beyond the front-line violence of the Trump admin's attacks lies another threat on immigrants' lives: new health care cuts that will leave millions more immigrants uninsured & unable to seek care, @lauralew105.bsky.social writes.
Health care eligibility cuts add to Trump administration’s anti-immigrant attacks
A slew of new policies that limit which immigrants qualify for health care benefits could have a severe impact on public health, advocates say
prismreports.org
February 7, 2026 at 5:13 PM
“We are in this world where no immigrant is supposed to feel welcome.” Beyond the front-line violence of the Trump admin's attacks lies another threat on immigrants' lives: new health care cuts that will leave millions more immigrants uninsured & unable to seek care, @lauralew105.bsky.social writes.
“This is part of our Jewish identity and ethos, to serve our full community with Jewish values and welcoming the stranger. So this is all connected.” www.jta.org/2026/01/30/u...
Jewish seniors are offering to hide their Haitian caregivers as Trump's TPS end looms - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
"That reminds me of Anne Frank,” said the CEO of one Jewish senior residence reeling as Temporary Protected Status for Haitians is set to end.
www.jta.org
February 8, 2026 at 1:53 PM
“This is part of our Jewish identity and ethos, to serve our full community with Jewish values and welcoming the stranger. So this is all connected.” www.jta.org/2026/01/30/u...
Fewer immigrants will be eligible for healthcare due to Trumps HR 1. In addition, with many terrified to seek care due to Medicaid data being shared with ICE, their health is suffering --and the fear they're enduring is making it even worse. In @prismreports.org
prismreports.org/2026/02/03/h...
prismreports.org/2026/02/03/h...
Health care eligibility cuts add to Trump administration’s anti-immigrant attacks
A slew of new policies that limit which immigrants qualify for health care benefits could have a severe impact on public health, advocates say
prismreports.org
February 6, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Fewer immigrants will be eligible for healthcare due to Trumps HR 1. In addition, with many terrified to seek care due to Medicaid data being shared with ICE, their health is suffering --and the fear they're enduring is making it even worse. In @prismreports.org
prismreports.org/2026/02/03/h...
prismreports.org/2026/02/03/h...
This isn’t just “cold weather.” People are dying. www.thecity.nyc/2026/01/30/c...
How Unsheltered New Yorkers Face Down the Cold: ‘It’s Survive or Die’
Some unsheltered New Yorkers say they prefer the freedom of the streets. Others say they have not been asked in.
www.thecity.nyc
February 6, 2026 at 7:23 PM
This isn’t just “cold weather.” People are dying. www.thecity.nyc/2026/01/30/c...
Reposted by Laura Weiss
would sincerely like never to post one of these again. (and solidarity w our union siblings)
One immediate effort (and the @postguild.bsky.social will likely share more): www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund
www.gofundme.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:37 PM
would sincerely like never to post one of these again. (and solidarity w our union siblings)
THANK YOU to @juliametraux.bsky.social @motherjones.com for this piece on how many disabled people are effectively stranded at home in this kind of weather. And honestly, fuck that. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Snowstorms are hell for wheelchair users—but they don't have to be
"You can't physically move. You can't do anything."
www.motherjones.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:55 PM
THANK YOU to @juliametraux.bsky.social @motherjones.com for this piece on how many disabled people are effectively stranded at home in this kind of weather. And honestly, fuck that. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Laura Weiss
We're not even a week into Black History Month, and Trump has shared a video that depicts former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
Republican Sen. Tim Scott called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.”
Republican Sen. Tim Scott called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.”
Trump posts video that depicts Obamas as apes
Republican Sen. Tim Scott called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.”
www.motherjones.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:40 PM
We're not even a week into Black History Month, and Trump has shared a video that depicts former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
Republican Sen. Tim Scott called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.”
Republican Sen. Tim Scott called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.”
Pretty dismayed by Wikipedia’s collaboration with major tech companies shilling AI - but grateful to @restofworld.org, an independent news source doing important work like this fascinating article: restofworld.org/2026/wikiped...
The volunteer Wikipedia army protecting against AI slop
The editors are both populating and fighting the world’s regional language AI engines.
restofworld.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Pretty dismayed by Wikipedia’s collaboration with major tech companies shilling AI - but grateful to @restofworld.org, an independent news source doing important work like this fascinating article: restofworld.org/2026/wikiped...
*cries in mast cell activation syndrome*
I haven't talked about my long Covid symptoms publicly lately, but it's hard to describe the mindfuck of having a bunch of new allergies & needing to treat them, but having allergic reactions to every treatment I attempt.
en.ilsole24ore.com/art/from-foo...
I haven't talked about my long Covid symptoms publicly lately, but it's hard to describe the mindfuck of having a bunch of new allergies & needing to treat them, but having allergic reactions to every treatment I attempt.
en.ilsole24ore.com/art/from-foo...
From food allergies to asthma to dermatitis: Long Covid may be to blame
New food allergies, asthma or dermatitis that appear out of nowhere could be the hidden legacy of Covid 19: the virus seems to send the immune system into a tailspin even months after infection
en.ilsole24ore.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:39 PM
*cries in mast cell activation syndrome*
I haven't talked about my long Covid symptoms publicly lately, but it's hard to describe the mindfuck of having a bunch of new allergies & needing to treat them, but having allergic reactions to every treatment I attempt.
en.ilsole24ore.com/art/from-foo...
I haven't talked about my long Covid symptoms publicly lately, but it's hard to describe the mindfuck of having a bunch of new allergies & needing to treat them, but having allergic reactions to every treatment I attempt.
en.ilsole24ore.com/art/from-foo...
Reposted by Laura Weiss
"[T]he termination of Haiti's [Temporary Protected Status] designation was not the product of reasoned decision-making, but ... a preordained outcome justified by pretextual reasons."
A federal judge is blocking the Trump administration from terminating Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants living in the U.S., finding that statements made by White House officials demonstrate that racial bias played a part in decision-making.
Judge Halts Noem Move to End Protected Status for Haitian Immigrants, Citing Trump Admin’s Racial Bias
The “decision to terminate Haiti’s TPS designation was motivated, at least in part, by racial animus,” the judge ruled.
truthout.org
February 3, 2026 at 11:40 PM
"[T]he termination of Haiti's [Temporary Protected Status] designation was not the product of reasoned decision-making, but ... a preordained outcome justified by pretextual reasons."
Reposted by Laura Weiss
The Washington Post gutted the health team which I helped to lead despite our stories being among the most widely read, impactful and adept at reaching new audiences.
February 5, 2026 at 4:17 PM
The Washington Post gutted the health team which I helped to lead despite our stories being among the most widely read, impactful and adept at reaching new audiences.
No one puts it better than @reductress.bsky.social: www.instagram.com/p/DUYbkgiEgz6/
February 5, 2026 at 6:40 PM
No one puts it better than @reductress.bsky.social: www.instagram.com/p/DUYbkgiEgz6/
As the administration escalates its war on immigrants, beyond the front-line horrors lies another threat to immigrants’ lives: a slew of new health care policies that advocates say will leave millions more uninsured and unable to seek medical care. @prismreports.org prismreports.org/2026/02/03/h...
Health care eligibility cuts add to Trump administration’s anti-immigrant attacks
A slew of new policies that limit which immigrants qualify for health care benefits could have a severe impact on public health, advocates say
prismreports.org
February 3, 2026 at 5:45 PM
As the administration escalates its war on immigrants, beyond the front-line horrors lies another threat to immigrants’ lives: a slew of new health care policies that advocates say will leave millions more uninsured and unable to seek medical care. @prismreports.org prismreports.org/2026/02/03/h...
Reposted by Laura Weiss
Immigrants are not seeking care out of fear, unless they feel like they are dying.
A slew of new policies that limit which immigrants qualify for health care benefits could have a severe impact on public health, @lauralew105.bsky.social reports.
A slew of new policies that limit which immigrants qualify for health care benefits could have a severe impact on public health, @lauralew105.bsky.social reports.
Health care eligibility cuts add to Trump administration’s anti-immigrant attacks
A slew of new policies that limit which immigrants qualify for health care benefits could have a severe impact on public health, advocates say
prismreports.org
February 3, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Immigrants are not seeking care out of fear, unless they feel like they are dying.
A slew of new policies that limit which immigrants qualify for health care benefits could have a severe impact on public health, @lauralew105.bsky.social reports.
A slew of new policies that limit which immigrants qualify for health care benefits could have a severe impact on public health, @lauralew105.bsky.social reports.
A few somewhat hopeful bits of immigration news today from the courts: Trump's 75-country visa ban challenged democracyforward.org/news/press-r...
and, the stripping of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans deemed illegal
prismreports.org/2026/02/02/t...
and, the stripping of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans deemed illegal
prismreports.org/2026/02/02/t...
Immigrant Families, Workers, Legal Assistance Groups Challenge Trump Admin’s 75-Country Visa Ban in Federal Court
New York, NY — A group of United States citizens petitioning on behalf of their immigrant family members, together with working people facing exclusion from the U.S. and nonprofit organizations…
democracyforward.org
February 2, 2026 at 10:16 PM
A few somewhat hopeful bits of immigration news today from the courts: Trump's 75-country visa ban challenged democracyforward.org/news/press-r...
and, the stripping of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans deemed illegal
prismreports.org/2026/02/02/t...
and, the stripping of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans deemed illegal
prismreports.org/2026/02/02/t...
This 11-year-old knows more about vaccines than our Health and Human Services secretary: indykids.org/vaccines-sci... @indykidsnews.bsky.social
Vaccines: Science Over Misinformation - IndyKids
By Shanty Tejeda, age 11 In the United States, the rates of measles have been rising, while the national vaccination rate against measles is declining, according to Harvard Health. According to the Ce...
indykids.org
January 30, 2026 at 4:09 PM
This 11-year-old knows more about vaccines than our Health and Human Services secretary: indykids.org/vaccines-sci... @indykidsnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Laura Weiss
American survived without ICE from 1776 to 2003
January 24, 2026 at 9:47 PM
American survived without ICE from 1776 to 2003
Reposted by Laura Weiss
Alex Pretti’s dad: “He cared about people deeply & was very upset with what was happening...He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests” apnews.com/article/immi...
January 24, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Alex Pretti’s dad: “He cared about people deeply & was very upset with what was happening...He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests” apnews.com/article/immi...