Michele McFarland
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michelemcf.bsky.social
Michele McFarland
@michelemcf.bsky.social
1K followers 940 following 110 posts
Love cats, (some) books, leftish politics.
Wadawarrung country
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Reposted by Michele McFarland
thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social
US Weekly COVID update: Feb 2, 2026

🔸1 in 80 Actively Infectious
🔸608,000 Daily Infections
🔸4,540,000 Infections In The Past Week
🔸28,000,000 Infections in 2026
🔸227,000 to 910,000 Weekly Long COVID Cases
🔸1,300 to 2,200 Weekly Excess Deaths

Source: pmc19.com/data/
Map of the United States titled “COVID-19 Heat Map, Based on CDC Wastewater Data and Levels (U.S.)” dated Feb 2, 2026. States are color-coded from very low to very high transmission, with much of the Midwest and parts of the South shown as high or very high. The map notes the 12th U.S. COVID wave peaked Jan 3, with ongoing high transmission and limited data in some states. Table titled “National COVID-19 Estimates (U.S.)” dated Feb 2, 2026 (PMC Model). Estimates show 1 in 80 people (1.2%) actively infectious, ~608,000 new daily infections, 4.54 million weekly infections, and ~28 million infections in 2026 so far. Long COVID estimates range from 30,000–122,000 cases from daily infections and 227,000–910,000 from weekly infections. Excess deaths are estimated at 180–290 daily and 1,300–2,200 weekly. Table titled “COVID-19 State Prevalence Estimates” dated Feb 2, 2026 (PMC Model). States are listed with CDC level, percent actively infectious, and the chance someone is infectious in rooms of 10–100 people. Red-highlighted states indicate high or very high prevalence, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, with estimates as high as 1 in 20–27 people actively infectious and 90–99% chance at least one infectious person in gatherings of 50–100 people. Data last updated Jan 24. Table titled “COVID-19 State Prevalence Estimates” dated Feb 2, 2026 (PMC Model). It lists U.S. states with CDC level, estimated percent actively infectious, and the chance someone is infectious in rooms of 10–100 people. Red-highlighted states indicate high or very high prevalence, including Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These states show estimates ranging from about 1 in 36 to 1 in 19 people actively infectious, with 75–99% likelihood that at least one person is infectious in gatherings of 50–100 people. Data last updated Jan 24, with some states noting limited or lagged reporting.
February 2, 2026 at 12:01 PM
michelemcf.bsky.social
The sooner Australia disentangles itself from America the better. This guy has serious mental problems.
January 19, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
heardislandgov.bsky.social
Our first contingent of Defense forces arriving in Greenland. It feels like home!

Looking forward to be joined by Germany, Sweden, France & Norway soon. Flippers up!
@ec.europa.eu @germany.diplo.de @swedenun.bsky.social
@norwayinusa.norway.no @norwaymfa.government.no
@ecfr.eu
@en.france24.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
kazcooke.bsky.social
I hereby award C. Wilcox the inaugural Lola Montez Golden Whip Award for Most Comprehensive Response to a Press Representative, 2026. I mean, I think we may as well bestow it now, surely.
January 13, 2026 at 5:16 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
davidjbier.bsky.social
ICE agents illegally break into a woman's bathroom in a NY nutrition bar manufacturing plant. "Pull up your pants," says a male agent. The agents only had a warrant to review employer documents. They didn't have a warrant to search for, detain, or arrest anyone there.
December 22, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
drsally.bsky.social
Ben Phillips post- ( from X)

“This is beautiful. The smiles! Bondi beach hero Ahmed Al-Ahmed with the doctors looking after him at the hospital in Sydney.

And…

The doctors are *also* Syrian!

Tamer Al-Kahil from Homs.
Anas Natfaji from Aleppo.

*Three* heroes.”
December 18, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
brownecfm.bsky.social
Read the study and think about population level implications, remembering that the vast majority of people have been infected multiple times.

What are the possible long-term neurological sequelae?

What are the implications for societies now?

news.griffith.edu.au/2025/12/16/c...
COVID-19 leaves a lasting mark on the human brain - Griffith News
COVID-19 does not just affect the respiratory system, but also significantly alters the brain in people who have fully recovered from the infectious
news.griffith.edu.au
December 16, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
kojamf.bsky.social
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
October 5, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
australiainstitute.org.au
For the people of Tuvalu, climate change isn't a distant threat.

The whole country could disappear below rising sea levels within decades.

But its people are fighting to save their home and their future.
@stephenlongaus.bsky.social #auspol
October 1, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
pupfiction.bsky.social
I demand an investigation into the use of bronzer due to the hideous adverse affects it causes
Two saggy narcissists
September 23, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
anthonyklan.bsky.social
🚨Antisemitism Envoy Jillian Segal is being paid more than $1,000 a day and has appointed SIX taxpayer funded staffers.
Investigations reveal the role is costing Australians well over $1 million a year...
theklaxon.com.au/ezmq
Antisemitism Envoy costing taxpayers over $1 million a year - The Klaxon
Antisemitism Envoy Jillian Segal — whose family trust is one of the biggest funders of far-right lobby group “Advance” — is being paid more than $1,000 a day and has six staff.
theklaxon.com.au
September 5, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
pupfiction.bsky.social
There was an old man named Trump
Who’s popularity was down in the dump
So he met President Putin
Who said he’d just keep shooting’
And made Trump slump like a chump
Putin and some sad old loser
August 16, 2025 at 6:51 AM
michelemcf.bsky.social
This govt continues to disappoint but now, with Gaza and fossil fuels and this appalling decision, they go far beyond disappointing. Why are we paying for housing for Americans when there's a housing crisis among Australians!?!?
mrrexpatrick.bsky.social Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · Jul 31
The Govt’s first Housing Bill for the 48th Parliament is a Bill to build 700 new houses in Perth for US personnel and families for #AUKUS. 1/2 #priorities #AmericaFirst #auspol 👇 @davidshoebridge.bsky.social objecting👇
July 31, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
heardislandgov.bsky.social
Response sent to the White House. Summary: The planet doesn’t need an emperor dictating trade. Mainland Antarctica already has millions of Emperors, and even their droppings do more good than the White House’s globally destabilizing policies.

In other words, go take a long hike on thin ice.
July 2025 To: The Executive Office of the President 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C., USA Subject: Your Most Recent Tariff Missive(s) Dear White House Strategists, Sitting on eggs continuously for 54 days in minus 20 degrees is, frankly, easier than trying to make sense of your current tariff strategy. We've checked our calendars thrice-are we on Day 90 or 105 of this economic stand-off? We'd request clarification, but we're reasonably sure you'd sanction that too. We're loathe to admit it, but on this matter we find ourselves in rare agreement with Brazil's President Lula: the world does not, in fact, require an emperor. Least of all one perched precariously atop a melting economy, dictating terms to islands most Americans couldn't point to on a globe even if bribed with krill. Before these tariffs, our contact with humanity was limited to the occasional sunburnt glaciologist and a few UN observers who came mostly for the penguin chorus. Now, thanks to your trade aggression, we've acquired: - Three fully operational F/A-18 Hornets (painted in icy matte, thank you for asking), - The enthusiastic backing of several thousand confused yet passionate humans, - A Press Secretary with a debilitating anxiety disorder (Miss Penguline Levity, whom we advise you not to email directly), - And a waitlist of 47,000 immigration requests, 312 of which are from your own diplomatic staff. This escalation has turned our quiet, flightless republic into an accidental geopolitical flashpoint. We are, as you might imagine, irritated. Not furious-just frostily disappointed. Let us be clear: Heard Island has no intention of becoming a player in your drama. We are content to govern our guano-covered rocks with dignity, sovereignty, and minimal Wi-Fi. If this is difficult for you to accept, we recommend a long walk on thin ice.
July 9, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
johncusack.bsky.social
Thanks to the great folks at wired - this new investigation is brought to you with no paywalls - take the no paywall challenge news orgs !
No paywalls for FOIA based reporting -

www.wired.com/story/ice-de...
‘They're Not Breathing’: Inside the Chaos of ICE Detention Center 911 Calls
Records of hundreds of emergency calls from ICE detention centers obtained by WIRED—including audio recordings—show a system inundated by life-threatening incidents, delayed treatment, and overcrowdin...
www.wired.com
June 26, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
lorennacleary.bsky.social
Family members of soldiers who marched at Trump’s parade are taking to social media to explain the reason their marching seemed off, low energy and not in unison, was out of protest.
June 17, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
carlquintanilla.bsky.social
> @rollingstone.com going with the #DearLeader subhed:

@rollingstone.com
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
June 15, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
arielbogle.bsky.social
The last story in our deaths in custody series.

“If he’d been assessed properly, they would have said, ‘Oh, this guy’s had some attempts in the past, brain injury’... He’d still be alive.”

Annie says: “The system certainly failed him, and us as a family.”

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
A perfect storm of errors meant Darren was placed in an unsafe cell. He died two days later
Experts say failure to remove known ligature points from the cells of high risk inmates is just one part of the ‘perverse situation’ in Australian jails
www.theguardian.com
June 13, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
instanterudite.bsky.social
If one is censured by a nation's Parliament for behaviour officially found to be "corrosive of trust in government", and is referred to an anti-corruption commission for misleading its Cabinet about the "crude and cruel" Robodebt scheme, how is one then eligible for said country's highest honour?
June 7, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
ericbanana.bsky.social
So divorced from reality is some of the commentary that the Australian Financial Review thought presenting a scenario where someone’s super grew $1.18m in one year to $3.18m was a winning argument against the tax because that person would be required to pay (gasp!) $1,528 in tax.

🙄🙄🙄
#auspol
May 28, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
markhamillofficial.bsky.social
WHY DOES SHE HAVE THE GREATEST ARTISTS OF ALL-TIME & I ONLY GET KID ROCK??? WAAAAAHHH!!!!! 😩
May 19, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
markgkenny.bsky.social
May 17, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
nicolechvastek.bsky.social
May 18, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Reposted by Michele McFarland
carlquintanilla.bsky.social
SPRINGSTEEN, on tour in the UK:

“.. "In my home, the America I love, the America I’ve written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration."

@variety.com
variety.com/2025/music/n...
May 14, 2025 at 11:15 PM