Retiredrph
@retiredrph.bsky.social
Retired pharmacist, professional writer, artist, reader, gardener, birdwatcher, living in Oregon.
Pinned
Capturing Epic Slow Motion Footage of Backyard Birds
YouTube video by Cornell Lab of Ornithology
youtu.be
Birders: escape for five minutes with this fantastic video by expert photographers. Great Backyard Bird Count is coming! youtu.be/oZvA2eL_Sho?... #birds #greatbackyardbirdcount @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social #gbbc @dptbirder.bsky.social @dptbirder.bsky.social @saskajanet.bsky.social
February 7, 2026 at 4:26 PM
And inexpensive….and DIY….and you could put one together today: @corsiaq.bsky.social
Corsi-Rosenthal boxes are so cool
Building inexpensive indoor air filters with Mar Vista High School students in Imperial Beach...filter efficiency is higher than ones that cost $800+. You spend 90% of your time indoors...we all deserve clean air!! @scrippsocean.bsky.social @ucsandiego.bsky.social Airborne Institute.
February 7, 2026 at 4:24 PM
And inexpensive….and DIY….and you could put one together today: @corsiaq.bsky.social
Your new source for up-to-date info on disease outbreaks and other public health alerts.…Follow CIDRAP and The New England Journal of Medicine for public health alerts, here: evidence.nejm.org/browse/evide... @cidrap.bsky.social @nejm.org
Public Health Alerts | NEJM Evidence
Explore Public Health Alerts articles from NEJM Evidence
evidence.nejm.org
February 7, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Your new source for up-to-date info on disease outbreaks and other public health alerts.…Follow CIDRAP and The New England Journal of Medicine for public health alerts, here: evidence.nejm.org/browse/evide... @cidrap.bsky.social @nejm.org
Reposted by Retiredrph
Reposted by Retiredrph
HERON ON ICE! Poor thing definitely won’t qualify for the Olympics, walking on ice is awkward and HARD
#birds 🌿
#birds 🌿
Great Blue Herons on Ice
YouTube video by Get To Know Nature
m.youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:16 PM
HERON ON ICE! Poor thing definitely won’t qualify for the Olympics, walking on ice is awkward and HARD
#birds 🌿
#birds 🌿
🌱 Photo is terrible, but neighbor’s heather was covered with bees yesterday, including several bumbles and their queen bee, and native bees too. Two nine year old girls walked by enjoying popsicles…in February. #falsespring #gardensky
February 7, 2026 at 3:42 PM
🌱 Photo is terrible, but neighbor’s heather was covered with bees yesterday, including several bumbles and their queen bee, and native bees too. Two nine year old girls walked by enjoying popsicles…in February. #falsespring #gardensky
Reposted by Retiredrph
A blackbird told me it was February (sound up for some much needed birdsong dopamine-these are my very favourite birdy notes):
February 6, 2026 at 12:34 PM
A blackbird told me it was February (sound up for some much needed birdsong dopamine-these are my very favourite birdy notes):
Reposted by Retiredrph
It's been fun watching this Providence story attract a larger audience.
The other day, when I opened Netflix, the film was the top/biggest title featured on the site, via the main banner image on the homepage.
The other day, when I opened Netflix, the film was the top/biggest title featured on the site, via the main banner image on the homepage.
“Secret Mall Apartment” on Netflix is really good and it surprised me. Beyond the story of building the titular covert apartment, it’s more broadly and deeply an examination of art and what it means within the context of living a life.
youtu.be/B9OCYOD-e9s?...
youtu.be/B9OCYOD-e9s?...
Secret Mall Apartment | Official Trailer HD
YouTube video by Secret Mall Apartment
youtu.be
February 6, 2026 at 12:46 PM
It's been fun watching this Providence story attract a larger audience.
The other day, when I opened Netflix, the film was the top/biggest title featured on the site, via the main banner image on the homepage.
The other day, when I opened Netflix, the film was the top/biggest title featured on the site, via the main banner image on the homepage.
Reposted by Retiredrph
I think he might lose his balance before he will lose that berry.
Eastern Bluebird
#BirdOfTheDay #Birds&Berries #birds #nature #wildlife #photography
Eastern Bluebird
#BirdOfTheDay #Birds&Berries #birds #nature #wildlife #photography
February 6, 2026 at 1:13 PM
I think he might lose his balance before he will lose that berry.
Eastern Bluebird
#BirdOfTheDay #Birds&Berries #birds #nature #wildlife #photography
Eastern Bluebird
#BirdOfTheDay #Birds&Berries #birds #nature #wildlife #photography
Reposted by Retiredrph
A great egret mid splash. From 2022.
#PhotographersUnited #eastcoastkin #birds #nature #photography #photos
#PhotographersUnited #eastcoastkin #birds #nature #photography #photos
February 6, 2026 at 1:37 PM
A great egret mid splash. From 2022.
#PhotographersUnited #eastcoastkin #birds #nature #photography #photos
#PhotographersUnited #eastcoastkin #birds #nature #photography #photos
Reposted by Retiredrph
Reposted by Retiredrph
Hey so trumprx actually went live and it's got the same cost savings as goodrx. Exactly the same. However it's worse because it doesn't include generics. Generic protonix is about $6.
This literally does nothing. What a joke.
This literally does nothing. What a joke.
February 6, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Hey so trumprx actually went live and it's got the same cost savings as goodrx. Exactly the same. However it's worse because it doesn't include generics. Generic protonix is about $6.
This literally does nothing. What a joke.
This literally does nothing. What a joke.
Basically, not giving a damn about farm workers by design.
NEW: Experts say there aren’t enough state and federal inspectors to adequately vet whether labor contractors who oversee farmworkers are following the rules.
Nor is there broad political support to invest more resources to protect foreign workers.
Nor is there broad political support to invest more resources to protect foreign workers.
The Dramatic Rise of Farm Labor Contractors Has Led to Rampant Abuses. Here’s Why Regulators Have Failed to Stop Them.
Experts say there aren’t enough state and federal inspectors to adequately vet whether labor contractors who oversee farmworkers are following the rules. Nor is there broad political support to invest...
www.propublica.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Basically, not giving a damn about farm workers by design.
Kids, adults, grandparents: What we need right now is…The Muppets! Tonight on ABC, gift article: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/a... #themuppets
Review: This is Your Grandparents’ ‘Muppet Show,’ Fortunately
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Kids, adults, grandparents: What we need right now is…The Muppets! Tonight on ABC, gift article: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/a... #themuppets
All preventative public health measures, from pasteurizing milk, to filtering and treating municipal water, to cooking meat to certain temperatures and yes, vaccines, were created because people died. DIED. #publichealth
*Drank raw milk in pregnancy*
Good lord. You have MAHA demonizing vaccines and Tylenol when they love them some raw milk, and this is the shit that's actually dangerous.
Good lord. You have MAHA demonizing vaccines and Tylenol when they love them some raw milk, and this is the shit that's actually dangerous.
“Health officials in New Mexico are warning against consuming raw dairy products after a newborn baby in the state died from a listeria infection that they say was likely contracted when the baby's mother drank raw milk during pregnancy.” @jackiantonovich.bsky.social
February 4, 2026 at 12:09 PM
All preventative public health measures, from pasteurizing milk, to filtering and treating municipal water, to cooking meat to certain temperatures and yes, vaccines, were created because people died. DIED. #publichealth
Reposted by Retiredrph
I encourage you to consider that the @cato.org is right about this
The US immigrant population generated more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government every year from 1994 to 2023.
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
February 4, 2026 at 1:52 AM
I encourage you to consider that the @cato.org is right about this
Reposted by Retiredrph
When an insurance company is deciding whether to pay for your medical treatment, it generates a file, which should contain all records associated with your case, including documents explaining why the claim was denied.
You have a right to see this file.
(Published May 2023)
You have a right to see this file.
(Published May 2023)
Health Insurance Claim Denied? See What Insurers Said Behind the Scenes
Learn how to request your health insurance claim file, which can include details about what your insurer is saying about you and your case.
www.propublica.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:30 AM
When an insurance company is deciding whether to pay for your medical treatment, it generates a file, which should contain all records associated with your case, including documents explaining why the claim was denied.
You have a right to see this file.
(Published May 2023)
You have a right to see this file.
(Published May 2023)
In other words: if MA denies coverage, appeal!!
In 2024, Medicare Advantage insurers fully or partially denied 4.1 million (7.7%) of the nearly 53 million prior authorization requests they received.
Just 11.5% of denials were appealed; in 80.7% of those cases the denial was overturned. https://on.kff.org/4rlorYO
Just 11.5% of denials were appealed; in 80.7% of those cases the denial was overturned. https://on.kff.org/4rlorYO
February 3, 2026 at 4:08 PM
In other words: if MA denies coverage, appeal!!
Reposted by Retiredrph
They want us working earlier and til we die to pay for their tax cuts for the rich. Supervillains.
February 3, 2026 at 4:15 AM
They want us working earlier and til we die to pay for their tax cuts for the rich. Supervillains.
Reposted by Retiredrph
"In my few days in Minnesota, I’ve been witness to countless scenes that remind me of moments I’ve seen during previous trips covering conflicts around the world," photojournalist @cengizyar.com writes. "The wars we’ve carried out as a nation abroad have come home."
More: https://propub.li/4acxEeY
More: https://propub.li/4acxEeY
February 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"In my few days in Minnesota, I’ve been witness to countless scenes that remind me of moments I’ve seen during previous trips covering conflicts around the world," photojournalist @cengizyar.com writes. "The wars we’ve carried out as a nation abroad have come home."
More: https://propub.li/4acxEeY
More: https://propub.li/4acxEeY
Reposted by Retiredrph
NEW: Following multiple SpaceX Starship explosions that caused commercial jets to scramble for safety, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a broad warning that rocket launches could “significantly reduce safety” for airplanes.
FAA Warns Airlines About Safety Risks From Rocket Launches, Urges “Extreme Caution”
The agency’s official safety alert comes as SpaceX looks to ramp up Starship tests. A recent ProPublica investigation found that explosions during previous Starship launches disrupted air traffic and forced pilots to scramble for safety.
www.propublica.org
February 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM
NEW: Following multiple SpaceX Starship explosions that caused commercial jets to scramble for safety, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a broad warning that rocket launches could “significantly reduce safety” for airplanes.
Reposted by Retiredrph
There are two changes that I was able to find in the 2026 vs 2025 schedule.
1. Right on top the new schedule includes which professional org endorse the AAP schedule.
2. The 2026 AAP schedule notes that Pfizer COVID 19 vaccine is only indicated down to age 5 (based on available formulations)
1. Right on top the new schedule includes which professional org endorse the AAP schedule.
2. The 2026 AAP schedule notes that Pfizer COVID 19 vaccine is only indicated down to age 5 (based on available formulations)
January 26, 2026 at 7:41 PM
There are two changes that I was able to find in the 2026 vs 2025 schedule.
1. Right on top the new schedule includes which professional org endorse the AAP schedule.
2. The 2026 AAP schedule notes that Pfizer COVID 19 vaccine is only indicated down to age 5 (based on available formulations)
1. Right on top the new schedule includes which professional org endorse the AAP schedule.
2. The 2026 AAP schedule notes that Pfizer COVID 19 vaccine is only indicated down to age 5 (based on available formulations)
Reposted by Retiredrph
open.substack.com/pub/davidfis...
This is a must read for #publichealth #medsky and #infectionprevtion - the RCT trap led to major errors responding to COVID especially at WHO and CDC. We must do better next time.
This is a must read for #publichealth #medsky and #infectionprevtion - the RCT trap led to major errors responding to COVID especially at WHO and CDC. We must do better next time.
The RCT Trap
When “Gold Standard” Evidence Becomes an Excuse for Inaction
open.substack.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:55 AM
open.substack.com/pub/davidfis...
This is a must read for #publichealth #medsky and #infectionprevtion - the RCT trap led to major errors responding to COVID especially at WHO and CDC. We must do better next time.
This is a must read for #publichealth #medsky and #infectionprevtion - the RCT trap led to major errors responding to COVID especially at WHO and CDC. We must do better next time.
Reposted by Retiredrph
Unvaccinated kids hit hard with the flu as pediatric deaths rise to 52. The vast majority of children who have died of flu so far this season did not receive the flu vaccine.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Unvaccinated kids hit hard with flu as pediatric deaths rise to 52
The vast majority of children who have died of flu so far this season did not get the flu shot, the CDC reported Friday.
www.nbcnews.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:45 AM
Unvaccinated kids hit hard with the flu as pediatric deaths rise to 52. The vast majority of children who have died of flu so far this season did not receive the flu vaccine.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
🌱 Greatly needed signs of spring—the Columbia gorge wakes up quite a while before the Willammette Valley.
First stirrings of spring in the Gorge: grass widow, prairie star, wholeleaf saxifrage, salt & pepper desert parsley, & ...
January 30, 2026 at 2:29 PM
🌱 Greatly needed signs of spring—the Columbia gorge wakes up quite a while before the Willammette Valley.