Richard Vallée
@richardvallee.bsky.social
I play language. Mostly irreverent. Debugger.
AI. Global warming. Integrity. Health. Science.
Chronically ill punk rocker.
I think about the future a lot.
AI. Global warming. Integrity. Health. Science.
Chronically ill punk rocker.
I think about the future a lot.
Reposted by Richard Vallée
"Once again, everything old is new again, again. The circle of disinformation is complete, and we are still just getting started. And, I can’t help but wonder if we could have avoided everything that’s happening with measles today had more people cared about COVID disinformation.." @joho.bsky.social
MAHA Leaders Are Recycling COVID Myths to Minimize Measles
Once again, everything old is new again. The circle of disinformation is complete.
sciencebasedmedicine.org
February 8, 2026 at 12:32 PM
"Once again, everything old is new again, again. The circle of disinformation is complete, and we are still just getting started. And, I can’t help but wonder if we could have avoided everything that’s happening with measles today had more people cared about COVID disinformation.." @joho.bsky.social
Reposted by Richard Vallée
1) 🇩🇪 Scientists and clinicians based at institutions located in Germany can apply for the 2026 research funding programme of the ME/CFS Research Foundation.
€2 million is available for new research projects. The deadline for submitting proposals is 30 April 2026.
€2 million is available for new research projects. The deadline for submitting proposals is 30 April 2026.
February 7, 2026 at 8:17 AM
1) 🇩🇪 Scientists and clinicians based at institutions located in Germany can apply for the 2026 research funding programme of the ME/CFS Research Foundation.
€2 million is available for new research projects. The deadline for submitting proposals is 30 April 2026.
€2 million is available for new research projects. The deadline for submitting proposals is 30 April 2026.
Reposted by Richard Vallée
Here's my take on some of the debate over Invisible Illness, the new medical anthropology book that has triggered debates and controversy. This post examines the back and forth over the chapter that includes PACE and the history of the creation of the CFS construct.
virology.ws/2026/02/01/t...
virology.ws/2026/02/01/t...
Trial By Error: New Medical Anthropology Book on Chronic Illness Triggers Controversy | Virology Blog
By David Tuller, DrPH While I was on medical leave for the last few weeks, the fascist regime's brownshirts executed two people protesting the military ...
virology.ws
February 1, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Here's my take on some of the debate over Invisible Illness, the new medical anthropology book that has triggered debates and controversy. This post examines the back and forth over the chapter that includes PACE and the history of the creation of the CFS construct.
virology.ws/2026/02/01/t...
virology.ws/2026/02/01/t...
Like so many said from the start, because this is not new, but the defining feature of this era is to never listen to people who predict things accurately, and instead promote the people who got it completely wrong, and health care is no different at that.
Long-COVID symptoms persist for years in non-hospitalized adults: study https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/long-covid-symptoms-persist-years-nonhospitalized-adults-study-reveals
⤷ canadahealthwatch.ca/featured 🍁
⤷ canadahealthwatch.ca/featured 🍁
February 5, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Like so many said from the start, because this is not new, but the defining feature of this era is to never listen to people who predict things accurately, and instead promote the people who got it completely wrong, and health care is no different at that.
Reposted by Richard Vallée
CW Edited clip from an ORF report on the death of Samuel by assisted suicide.
Highlights that many people don’t know about the illness, there are no effective treatments, there is a lack of care, services, financial aid and support for people with #MECFS in Austria.
Highlights that many people don’t know about the illness, there are no effective treatments, there is a lack of care, services, financial aid and support for people with #MECFS in Austria.
February 2, 2026 at 8:01 AM
CW Edited clip from an ORF report on the death of Samuel by assisted suicide.
Highlights that many people don’t know about the illness, there are no effective treatments, there is a lack of care, services, financial aid and support for people with #MECFS in Austria.
Highlights that many people don’t know about the illness, there are no effective treatments, there is a lack of care, services, financial aid and support for people with #MECFS in Austria.
Reposted by Richard Vallée
🧵 of highlighted #MECFS and #LongCovid research papers being discussed this week on the Science for ME forum.
26 Jan - 1 Feb 2026
26 Jan - 1 Feb 2026
February 1, 2026 at 8:20 PM
🧵 of highlighted #MECFS and #LongCovid research papers being discussed this week on the Science for ME forum.
26 Jan - 1 Feb 2026
26 Jan - 1 Feb 2026
Most of those myths come from and are popular with medical professionals. Nothing has changed in 6 years.
So, who will police the police? No one, there is no such thing. The institutions of medicine have completely screwed this up, but no one is responsible for anything.
So, who will police the police? No one, there is no such thing. The institutions of medicine have completely screwed this up, but no one is responsible for anything.
Myth-busters: debunking long COVID myths and misconceptions.
"Misconceptions about post COVID-19 condition, more commonly known as long COVID, continue to hinder diagnosis, prevention, care and rehabilitation."
www.who.int/europe/event...
"Misconceptions about post COVID-19 condition, more commonly known as long COVID, continue to hinder diagnosis, prevention, care and rehabilitation."
www.who.int/europe/event...
Myth-busters- debunking long COVID myths and misconceptions
Misconceptions about post COVID-19 condition, more commonly known as long COVID, continue to hinder diagnosis, prevention, care and rehabilitation.
To debunk these myths and misconceptions, WHO/Europ...
www.who.int
January 31, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Most of those myths come from and are popular with medical professionals. Nothing has changed in 6 years.
So, who will police the police? No one, there is no such thing. The institutions of medicine have completely screwed this up, but no one is responsible for anything.
So, who will police the police? No one, there is no such thing. The institutions of medicine have completely screwed this up, but no one is responsible for anything.
Reposted by Richard Vallée
This is the reality of means-testing and work requirements. Even those on the left can fall for this stuff and ignore the costs. To end this madness, we need to go universal. No more means-testing or conditions. Universal basic income, healthcare, and education. And tax the rich more than they get.
I will simply never recover from reading this sentence:
"Since Georgia implemented work requirements in 2020, they have spent twice as much on Deloitte consultants and administrative costs as on healthcare for people."
"Since Georgia implemented work requirements in 2020, they have spent twice as much on Deloitte consultants and administrative costs as on healthcare for people."
Today, Luke Farrell (@lukef.bsky.social) explains how complex eligibility requirements have turned America’s safety net into a lucrative revenue stream for monopolistic private contractors.
January 29, 2026 at 2:44 PM
This is the reality of means-testing and work requirements. Even those on the left can fall for this stuff and ignore the costs. To end this madness, we need to go universal. No more means-testing or conditions. Universal basic income, healthcare, and education. And tax the rich more than they get.
"Mild for most"
"Good because it stimulates the immune system"
"Children will be fine"
Gee, I wonder where people have been hearing this in recent years?
"Good because it stimulates the immune system"
"Children will be fine"
Gee, I wonder where people have been hearing this in recent years?
January 28, 2026 at 7:38 PM
"Mild for most"
"Good because it stimulates the immune system"
"Children will be fine"
Gee, I wonder where people have been hearing this in recent years?
"Good because it stimulates the immune system"
"Children will be fine"
Gee, I wonder where people have been hearing this in recent years?
This could have been written today, applies just as well to Long Covid.
Absolutely nothing has changed since, a disaster of choice that has destroyed millions of lives and will continue to do so until there's accountability for it.
Absolutely nothing has changed since, a disaster of choice that has destroyed millions of lives and will continue to do so until there's accountability for it.
January 26, 2026 at 4:09 PM
This could have been written today, applies just as well to Long Covid.
Absolutely nothing has changed since, a disaster of choice that has destroyed millions of lives and will continue to do so until there's accountability for it.
Absolutely nothing has changed since, a disaster of choice that has destroyed millions of lives and will continue to do so until there's accountability for it.
This applies to Trump just as much as it applies to COVID and Long Covid.
Experts who get outpredicted by millions of complete amateurs should never be listened to again.
They are the ones who mislead the rest. Being professionally wrong has to have consequences, especially when it's this blatant.
Experts who get outpredicted by millions of complete amateurs should never be listened to again.
They are the ones who mislead the rest. Being professionally wrong has to have consequences, especially when it's this blatant.
if the pundit can't take the pushback, get out of the game. If they really came around they can eat a bit of shit as penance and a show of sincerity. You definitely don't get any grace if you suggest others were right too early or get strident with your new bedfellows. you don't get to lead.
this is a fake problem. no one is saying this to regular, offline people who are coming around. they’re saying it to people who are engaged in professional political analysis who committed professional malpractice by scolding people who saw what was coming.
no, those people shouldn’t get a break.
no, those people shouldn’t get a break.
January 26, 2026 at 4:03 PM
This applies to Trump just as much as it applies to COVID and Long Covid.
Experts who get outpredicted by millions of complete amateurs should never be listened to again.
They are the ones who mislead the rest. Being professionally wrong has to have consequences, especially when it's this blatant.
Experts who get outpredicted by millions of complete amateurs should never be listened to again.
They are the ones who mislead the rest. Being professionally wrong has to have consequences, especially when it's this blatant.
Reposted by Richard Vallée
if the pundit can't take the pushback, get out of the game. If they really came around they can eat a bit of shit as penance and a show of sincerity. You definitely don't get any grace if you suggest others were right too early or get strident with your new bedfellows. you don't get to lead.
this is a fake problem. no one is saying this to regular, offline people who are coming around. they’re saying it to people who are engaged in professional political analysis who committed professional malpractice by scolding people who saw what was coming.
no, those people shouldn’t get a break.
no, those people shouldn’t get a break.
Bluesky idea: if people who didn't agree with you change their opinions so that they do agree with you, why not be happy that you are making progress - rather than complaining that they are "only just catching up"?
January 26, 2026 at 2:57 PM
if the pundit can't take the pushback, get out of the game. If they really came around they can eat a bit of shit as penance and a show of sincerity. You definitely don't get any grace if you suggest others were right too early or get strident with your new bedfellows. you don't get to lead.
Governments, public health and medical authorities know much of this is caused by COVID & other infections, that a lot of this is Long Covid, which they choose to do nothing about and cover up.
They know it. They're lying about not knowing why. They're doing what the tobacco industry did.
They know it. They're lying about not knowing why. They're doing what the tobacco industry did.
The level of school absence has grown since the pandemic and is showing little sign of improvement, according to new research
Children in Ireland missing more days of school
The level of school absence has grown since the pandemic and is showing little sign of improvement, according to new research.
www.rte.ie
January 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Governments, public health and medical authorities know much of this is caused by COVID & other infections, that a lot of this is Long Covid, which they choose to do nothing about and cover up.
They know it. They're lying about not knowing why. They're doing what the tobacco industry did.
They know it. They're lying about not knowing why. They're doing what the tobacco industry did.
Reposted by Richard Vallée
Worth checking in with experts like @orla-hegarty.bsky.social and @brownecfm.bsky.social for every story on increased school absences.
Kids are constantly being reinfected with a virus that causes long term health problems, and the people you pay to tell you that are the ones who said not to worry.
Kids are constantly being reinfected with a virus that causes long term health problems, and the people you pay to tell you that are the ones who said not to worry.
“Long COVID in Young Children, School-Aged Children & Teens
Long COVID is common, affecting 10-20% of children with history of COVID, higher than children with asthma the most common chronic health problem in children”
..surely part of story in school absences? jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Long COVID is common, affecting 10-20% of children with history of COVID, higher than children with asthma the most common chronic health problem in children”
..surely part of story in school absences? jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Long COVID in Young Children, School-Aged Children, and Teens
This JAMA Pediatrics Patient Page describes the symptoms of long COVID in children.
jamanetwork.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Worth checking in with experts like @orla-hegarty.bsky.social and @brownecfm.bsky.social for every story on increased school absences.
Kids are constantly being reinfected with a virus that causes long term health problems, and the people you pay to tell you that are the ones who said not to worry.
Kids are constantly being reinfected with a virus that causes long term health problems, and the people you pay to tell you that are the ones who said not to worry.
Reposted by Richard Vallée
We did predict it. And we were called alarmist.
January 26, 2026 at 2:57 PM
We did predict it. And we were called alarmist.
Reposted by Richard Vallée
Science for ME: News in Brief
19 - 25 Jan 2026
This week's research articles, media items, advocacy and other news relating to #MECFS and #LongCovid
www.s4me.info/threads/news-in...
19 - 25 Jan 2026
This week's research articles, media items, advocacy and other news relating to #MECFS and #LongCovid
www.s4me.info/threads/news-in...
January 25, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Science for ME: News in Brief
19 - 25 Jan 2026
This week's research articles, media items, advocacy and other news relating to #MECFS and #LongCovid
www.s4me.info/threads/news-in...
19 - 25 Jan 2026
This week's research articles, media items, advocacy and other news relating to #MECFS and #LongCovid
www.s4me.info/threads/news-in...
In the article, public health officers essentially dismiss Long Covid and the many other impacts COVID has on health. They are lying for political reasons.
This is exactly what the tobacco industry did, except far worse, because it's experts and governments doing it.
This is exactly what the tobacco industry did, except far worse, because it's experts and governments doing it.
Researchers: Not testing for Covid-19 is creating problems (Jan 22, 2026)
"People have become sicker after the pandemic, but without Covid-19 testing it's difficult to understand why."
www.sciencenorway.no/covid19-long...
#Covid #CovidTesting #Testing #Norway
"People have become sicker after the pandemic, but without Covid-19 testing it's difficult to understand why."
www.sciencenorway.no/covid19-long...
#Covid #CovidTesting #Testing #Norway
Researchers: Not testing for Covid-19 is creating problems
People have become sicker after the pandemic, but without Covid-19 testing it's difficult to understand why.
www.sciencenorway.no
January 24, 2026 at 3:26 PM
In the article, public health officers essentially dismiss Long Covid and the many other impacts COVID has on health. They are lying for political reasons.
This is exactly what the tobacco industry did, except far worse, because it's experts and governments doing it.
This is exactly what the tobacco industry did, except far worse, because it's experts and governments doing it.
Reposted by Richard Vallée
"That a 21-year-old, suffering from a severe illness, a dramatic lack of care, and a lack of hope, sees no other way than assisted suicide is a sign of collective failure."
#MECFS #severeME #millionsmissing
#MECFS #severeME #millionsmissing
Dass ein 21-Jähriger wegen schwerster Krankheit, dramatisch fehlender Versorgung und mangelnder Hoffnungsperspektive keinen anderen Weg sieht als Sterbehilfe, ist Ausdruck eines kollektiven Versagens.
#MECFS
www.derstandard.at/story/300000...
#MECFS
www.derstandard.at/story/300000...
Samuel, 21: Wie schlimm es sich anfühlt, wenn man an ME/CFS leidet
Samuel ist nach einer Covid-Infektion erkrankt. Weil es keine Hoffnung auf Besserung gibt, hat er sich für Sterbehilfe entschieden. Er will Aufmerksamkeit schaffen für die hoffnungslose Lage der Betro...
www.derstandard.at
January 23, 2026 at 2:21 PM
"That a 21-year-old, suffering from a severe illness, a dramatic lack of care, and a lack of hope, sees no other way than assisted suicide is a sign of collective failure."
#MECFS #severeME #millionsmissing
#MECFS #severeME #millionsmissing
Reposted by Richard Vallée
The level of interference is completely wild, and surely antithetical to the very idea of medical research and science
January 21, 2026 at 4:42 PM
The level of interference is completely wild, and surely antithetical to the very idea of medical research and science
Reposted by Richard Vallée
Reading about Diane’s experience reminded me of the text from an anonymous individual “associated with the Royal College of Psychiatrists” who tried to persuade the NICE CEO to tamper with the Evidence Review for the 2021 NICE Guideline for ME/CFS: domsalisbury.github.io/mecfs/nice-m...
Text-message lobbying of senior NICE staff by individuals at NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists in days before ME/CFS guideline pause
On August 4 2021, an embargoed copy of the final NICE guideline for ME/CFS — already severely delayed — was distributed to registered stakeholders “for a final factual error check, to enable [stakehol...
domsalisbury.github.io
January 21, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Reading about Diane’s experience reminded me of the text from an anonymous individual “associated with the Royal College of Psychiatrists” who tried to persuade the NICE CEO to tamper with the Evidence Review for the 2021 NICE Guideline for ME/CFS: domsalisbury.github.io/mecfs/nice-m...
In so-called evidence-based medicine*, they just call this evidence-based medicine.
* excluding pharmaceutical trials, which are usually rigorous, unlike 99.9% of non-pharmaceutical 'pragmatic' trials, which are basically a how-to of how not to do science
* excluding pharmaceutical trials, which are usually rigorous, unlike 99.9% of non-pharmaceutical 'pragmatic' trials, which are basically a how-to of how not to do science
"We find that questionable research practices (QRPs) are widespread across all fields of research and seniority levels. Yet, younger, more prolific researchers, and those dismissing the seriousness of QRPs admitted to more QRPs"
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
The ‘shades of grey’ in research integrity—Researchers admit to questionable research practices that they do not perceive to be serious
Research misconduct practices like fabrication, falsification and plagiarism (FFP) are serious deviations from good research conduct, which have attracted attention in the literature due to the damage...
journals.plos.org
January 18, 2026 at 3:35 PM
In so-called evidence-based medicine*, they just call this evidence-based medicine.
* excluding pharmaceutical trials, which are usually rigorous, unlike 99.9% of non-pharmaceutical 'pragmatic' trials, which are basically a how-to of how not to do science
* excluding pharmaceutical trials, which are usually rigorous, unlike 99.9% of non-pharmaceutical 'pragmatic' trials, which are basically a how-to of how not to do science
I don't trust or believe that this will deliver anything, but not any more or less than I would have trusted the same things said before a gang of grifters took over US medical institutions.
That's how bad medicine has and continues to completely mishandle those issues.
That's how bad medicine has and continues to completely mishandle those issues.
1) From the new NIAID vision:
"The NIAID will foster research to better understand long-term post-infectious and non-infectious inflammatory syndromes, such as long COVID, chronic Lyme disease, myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, and adverse events after vaccination"
"The NIAID will foster research to better understand long-term post-infectious and non-infectious inflammatory syndromes, such as long COVID, chronic Lyme disease, myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, and adverse events after vaccination"
January 17, 2026 at 3:58 PM
I don't trust or believe that this will deliver anything, but not any more or less than I would have trusted the same things said before a gang of grifters took over US medical institutions.
That's how bad medicine has and continues to completely mishandle those issues.
That's how bad medicine has and continues to completely mishandle those issues.
e.g. "immunity debt" and the obvious politically motivated lies fabricated to encourage mass infections with zero concern for long-term outcomes, followed by covering up those outcomes and blatantly lying about it.
Why people believe misinformation even when they’re told the facts theconversation.com/why-people-b... by @kellyfincham.bsky.social cc @alicetiara.bsky.social
"When fabricated claims align with a person’s existing values, beliefs and ideologies, they can quickly harden into a kind of 'knowledge'."
"When fabricated claims align with a person’s existing values, beliefs and ideologies, they can quickly harden into a kind of 'knowledge'."
Why people believe misinformation even when they’re told the facts
Misinformation is not just a content problem, but an emotional and structural one.
theconversation.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:40 PM
e.g. "immunity debt" and the obvious politically motivated lies fabricated to encourage mass infections with zero concern for long-term outcomes, followed by covering up those outcomes and blatantly lying about it.
Most people have no idea how much wellness ideology has corrupted medicine and health care.
Medicine used to dismiss this junk, but instead has embraced it for all the things it's ineffective at, which is a lot, most of it 'validated' by the junk standards of so-called evidence-based medicine.
Medicine used to dismiss this junk, but instead has embraced it for all the things it's ineffective at, which is a lot, most of it 'validated' by the junk standards of so-called evidence-based medicine.
Right now, the wellness industry is largely accepted and surprisingly trusted.
It thrives off of our broken healthcare system. You don’t get this kind of acceptance of junk science without deep, deep structural problems.
But it’s chock full of grift.
It thrives off of our broken healthcare system. You don’t get this kind of acceptance of junk science without deep, deep structural problems.
But it’s chock full of grift.
January 14, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Most people have no idea how much wellness ideology has corrupted medicine and health care.
Medicine used to dismiss this junk, but instead has embraced it for all the things it's ineffective at, which is a lot, most of it 'validated' by the junk standards of so-called evidence-based medicine.
Medicine used to dismiss this junk, but instead has embraced it for all the things it's ineffective at, which is a lot, most of it 'validated' by the junk standards of so-called evidence-based medicine.
Reposted by Richard Vallée
there are villains everywhere for those with eyes to see
January 13, 2026 at 2:14 PM
there are villains everywhere for those with eyes to see