Sara Silverstein
@sarasilverstein.bsky.social
Historian. Writer. Public & global health, rights, internationalism, migration, citizenship & statelessness, Modern & Eastern Europe. Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut, Department of History and Human Rights Institute. Views my own.
Pinned
I’m very pleased to have written the chapter on health and to be in fantastic company in this volume.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Expectant mothers were left so hungry after the U.S. cut foreign food aid that one woman ate clay and charcoal.
Her baby struggled to gain weight after being born prematurely.
By @annamaria.bsky.social, photos by @storitellah.com & illustrations by Phoebe Ouma
Her baby struggled to gain weight after being born prematurely.
By @annamaria.bsky.social, photos by @storitellah.com & illustrations by Phoebe Ouma
What I Saw at a Maternity Ward in Kenya After the U.S. Cut Off Food and Foreign Aid
Photographs tell a story of two mothers determined to help their babies gain enough weight to leave the hospital — only to face little to no food again.
www.propublica.org
December 29, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Expectant mothers were left so hungry after the U.S. cut foreign food aid that one woman ate clay and charcoal.
Her baby struggled to gain weight after being born prematurely.
By @annamaria.bsky.social, photos by @storitellah.com & illustrations by Phoebe Ouma
Her baby struggled to gain weight after being born prematurely.
By @annamaria.bsky.social, photos by @storitellah.com & illustrations by Phoebe Ouma
"Trump officials celebrated with cake after slashing aid. Then people died of cholera."
John Gai carried his sick father to a nearby clinic in a wheelbarrow, but he died from cholera on the way.
Gai then pushed the wheelbarrow for hours through the camp to take him to the cemetery: “Nobody should have to carry a dead body among the living.”
Gai then pushed the wheelbarrow for hours through the camp to take him to the cemetery: “Nobody should have to carry a dead body among the living.”
Trump Officials Celebrated With Cake After Slashing Aid. Then People Died of Cholera.
Behind closed doors in Washington, top advisers made a series of decisions that had devastating repercussions for the poorest country on earth. We went to South Sudan and found people who died as a re...
www.propublica.org
December 30, 2025 at 6:39 PM
"Trump officials celebrated with cake after slashing aid. Then people died of cholera."
The Soviet gulag is one important comparison. I also keep thinking of the classic question of World War II history: "Did people know?" Did Germans know about concentration camps? Did people living next to the camps and death facilities know? How could they go about their lives if they knew?
We know.
We know.
The CBS investigation portrays a modern concentration camp, similar to the Soviet GULAG (like CECOT, an acronym): sadistic guards, 24 hour lighting, isolation cells.
Americans once opposed this inhumane system.
The Trump administration sent innocent people there to suffer.
Americans once opposed this inhumane system.
The Trump administration sent innocent people there to suffer.
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
December 23, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The Soviet gulag is one important comparison. I also keep thinking of the classic question of World War II history: "Did people know?" Did Germans know about concentration camps? Did people living next to the camps and death facilities know? How could they go about their lives if they knew?
We know.
We know.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
For an excellent study of medicalizing euphemisms please see Golfo Alexopolous’s history of the Gulag, entitled "Illness and Inhumanity."
December 22, 2025 at 8:06 PM
For an excellent study of medicalizing euphemisms please see Golfo Alexopolous’s history of the Gulag, entitled "Illness and Inhumanity."
“We should be just as outraged by the deaths that take place out of sight”
@willbunch.bsky.social
@willbunch.bsky.social
It's great that the media, Congress is going all Watergate on one of Trump's many crimes, the 'double-tap' murder of 2 Caribbean sailors
But the reality is that Trump's death cult has killed hundreds of thousands, mostly through senseless USAID cuts
My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
But the reality is that Trump's death cult has killed hundreds of thousands, mostly through senseless USAID cuts
My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
The Trump regime murders that aren’t on video | Will Bunch Newsletter
Plus, troubled Mount Airy Lodge is a perfect Trump venue.
www.inquirer.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:38 PM
“We should be just as outraged by the deaths that take place out of sight”
@willbunch.bsky.social
@willbunch.bsky.social
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Journalists and media: stop bothsidesing attacks on childhood vaccines. We look to you to report what is happening and what the effects will be, not repeat the administration’s rhetoric. The effects will be more sickness and more death. That is not something to bothsides. Hold power accountable.
December 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Journalists and media: stop bothsidesing attacks on childhood vaccines. We look to you to report what is happening and what the effects will be, not repeat the administration’s rhetoric. The effects will be more sickness and more death. That is not something to bothsides. Hold power accountable.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Heartbreaking. The University of Nebraska will terminate its entire Earth science department.
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
It's over.
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
BREAKING: ‘This hurts’: UNL eliminates 4 programs despite faculty, student pleas
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln eliminates the Earth and atmospheric sciences 8-0, educational administration 7-1, statistics 7-1, textiles, merchandising and fashion design 7-1 programs.
www.dailynebraskan.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Heartbreaking. The University of Nebraska will terminate its entire Earth science department.
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
I’m honored to be part of Ukrainian History Global Initiative’s project. I’m contributing on state forms and statelessness. It’s a privilege to be welcomed into the vibrant community of scholars committed to the humanities and knowledge in the midst of war. I have learned so much from my colleagues.
We are told that, under stress, the humanities must be sacrificed. But amidst a war of aggression scholars in Ukraine have undertaken one of the most ambitious knowledge projects of our time. It's a privilege to be involved with Ukrainian History Global Initiative
snyder.substack.com/p/ukrainian-...
snyder.substack.com/p/ukrainian-...
Ukrainian History Global Initiative
The Creative Humanities During a War of Destruction
snyder.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:33 AM
I’m honored to be part of Ukrainian History Global Initiative’s project. I’m contributing on state forms and statelessness. It’s a privilege to be welcomed into the vibrant community of scholars committed to the humanities and knowledge in the midst of war. I have learned so much from my colleagues.
Journalists and media: stop bothsidesing attacks on childhood vaccines. We look to you to report what is happening and what the effects will be, not repeat the administration’s rhetoric. The effects will be more sickness and more death. That is not something to bothsides. Hold power accountable.
December 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Journalists and media: stop bothsidesing attacks on childhood vaccines. We look to you to report what is happening and what the effects will be, not repeat the administration’s rhetoric. The effects will be more sickness and more death. That is not something to bothsides. Hold power accountable.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Hugely proud of and happy for Prof David Petruccelli, whose history of Interpol is published by OUP today. It provides a complete revision of a major chapter of the history of international policing & is full of amazing anecdotes from the history of international crime
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Hugely proud of and happy for Prof David Petruccelli, whose history of Interpol is published by OUP today. It provides a complete revision of a major chapter of the history of international policing & is full of amazing anecdotes from the history of international crime
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
They are pro-disease and pro-death — for our children.
Name names. Shame on all the ACIP members who voted to strip the recommendation for the birth dose of the HBV vaccine. Call them out. Give them no peace. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/h...
An End to Hepatitis B Shots for All Newborns
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:47 PM
They are pro-disease and pro-death — for our children.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Georgian authorities have adopted a series of laws that unjustifiably interfere with the right to peaceful assembly and are being used to suppress dissent.
People are being detained or slapped with ruinous fines for exercising their fundamental rights.
People are being detained or slapped with ruinous fines for exercising their fundamental rights.
Georgia: Repressive Laws Effectively Criminalize Peaceful Protests
(Berlin, December 4, 2025) – Georgian authorities have adopted a series of laws that unjustifiably interfere with the right to peaceful assembly and are being used to suppress dissent, Human Rights Wa...
www.hrw.org
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Georgian authorities have adopted a series of laws that unjustifiably interfere with the right to peaceful assembly and are being used to suppress dissent.
People are being detained or slapped with ruinous fines for exercising their fundamental rights.
People are being detained or slapped with ruinous fines for exercising their fundamental rights.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
This fetid landmark, this historical stain on humanity is primarily due to the stunningly reckless obliteration of America's foreign assistance agency earlier this year.
Led by the richest man on earth. In secret, on a weekend. With zero analysis or discussion of its catastrophic impacts.
Led by the richest man on earth. In secret, on a weekend. With zero analysis or discussion of its catastrophic impacts.
For First Time in Decades, Child Deaths Will Rise This Year
Almost a quarter of a million more children around the world are projected to die in 2025 than in 2024.
www.wsj.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:18 PM
This fetid landmark, this historical stain on humanity is primarily due to the stunningly reckless obliteration of America's foreign assistance agency earlier this year.
Led by the richest man on earth. In secret, on a weekend. With zero analysis or discussion of its catastrophic impacts.
Led by the richest man on earth. In secret, on a weekend. With zero analysis or discussion of its catastrophic impacts.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
While we're reacting to Prasad's anti-vax proclamations, it's helpful to read of responses to shared challenges in other places. Romania's anti-vax is tied up in memories of authoritarianism, an underfunded health system, & disinformation. Rebuilding trust in politics and public health go together.
In 2024, Romania, an upper middle income European country, had over 30,000 cases — putting it on the world's top ten measles list. Its vaccination rate hovers around 60%. How did this happen?
Are there lessons for the U.S. in this European country's struggle with measles?
In 2024, Romania, an upper middle income European country, had over 30,000 cases — putting it on the world's top ten measles list. Its vaccination rate hovers around 60%. How did this happen?
n.pr
November 29, 2025 at 5:46 PM
While we're reacting to Prasad's anti-vax proclamations, it's helpful to read of responses to shared challenges in other places. Romania's anti-vax is tied up in memories of authoritarianism, an underfunded health system, & disinformation. Rebuilding trust in politics and public health go together.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
This is the most important op-ed you'll read this week. The Trump administration is about to get rid of the birth-dose of hepatitis B vaccine. That is a deadly choice for many families. @helenouyang.bsky.social tells her story. Now call your member of Congress. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/o...
Opinion | My Father Died of Hepatitis B Before the Vaccine. We Must Not Go Back.
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:37 AM
This is the most important op-ed you'll read this week. The Trump administration is about to get rid of the birth-dose of hepatitis B vaccine. That is a deadly choice for many families. @helenouyang.bsky.social tells her story. Now call your member of Congress. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/o...
While we're reacting to Prasad's anti-vax proclamations, it's helpful to read of responses to shared challenges in other places. Romania's anti-vax is tied up in memories of authoritarianism, an underfunded health system, & disinformation. Rebuilding trust in politics and public health go together.
In 2024, Romania, an upper middle income European country, had over 30,000 cases — putting it on the world's top ten measles list. Its vaccination rate hovers around 60%. How did this happen?
Are there lessons for the U.S. in this European country's struggle with measles?
In 2024, Romania, an upper middle income European country, had over 30,000 cases — putting it on the world's top ten measles list. Its vaccination rate hovers around 60%. How did this happen?
n.pr
November 29, 2025 at 5:46 PM
While we're reacting to Prasad's anti-vax proclamations, it's helpful to read of responses to shared challenges in other places. Romania's anti-vax is tied up in memories of authoritarianism, an underfunded health system, & disinformation. Rebuilding trust in politics and public health go together.
A year of protests for democracy and the rule of law in Georgia.
Opposition march in Tbilisi marks the anniversary of pro-European protests that erupted after Prime Minister Kobakhidze announced halting EU integration, with demonstrators heading toward Georgia's parliament building.
November 28, 2025 at 4:42 PM
A year of protests for democracy and the rule of law in Georgia.
In his racist screed, Trump threatens to strip people of their American citizenship for disrupting his regime’s “domestic tranquility.” Violating the rights, safety, and dignity of any migrant makes all Americans vulnerable.
Trump: “I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries … denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.“
November 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
In his racist screed, Trump threatens to strip people of their American citizenship for disrupting his regime’s “domestic tranquility.” Violating the rights, safety, and dignity of any migrant makes all Americans vulnerable.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
"WHO to lose nearly a quarter of its workforce – 2,000 jobs – due to US withdrawing funding" www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
WHO to lose nearly a quarter of its workforce – 2,000 jobs – due to US withdrawing funding
Donald Trump’s administration withdrew from the World Health Organization in January, prompting the agency to scale back its work
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:13 AM
"WHO to lose nearly a quarter of its workforce – 2,000 jobs – due to US withdrawing funding" www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Their essay is one way of explaining that only the “fit” will survive and we should not be investing money in protecting the “unfit.”
#eugenics
#eugenics
A new approach to pandemic preparedness:
1️⃣ Stop preparing for pandemics
2️⃣ Rewrite history of the last major pandemic
3️⃣ Go to the gym
Simple - 🤷♂️.
www.city-journal.org/article/nih-...
1️⃣ Stop preparing for pandemics
2️⃣ Rewrite history of the last major pandemic
3️⃣ Go to the gym
Simple - 🤷♂️.
www.city-journal.org/article/nih-...
NIH Directors: The World Needs a New Pandemic Playbook
The old one failed to cope with Covid and may even have caused it.
www.city-journal.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Their essay is one way of explaining that only the “fit” will survive and we should not be investing money in protecting the “unfit.”
#eugenics
#eugenics
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Under new administration guidance, if you’re overweight or diabetic, you can be denied a visa to live in the U.S. all in the name of “protecting the taxpayer.”
Newsflash: immigrants are not the problem. They’re the ones helping to build our economy and communities. 🇺🇸
www.npr.org/2025/11/12/n...
Newsflash: immigrants are not the problem. They’re the ones helping to build our economy and communities. 🇺🇸
www.npr.org/2025/11/12/n...
Immigrants with obesity, diabetes and other health problems may be denied visas
New guidance from the Trump administration directs visa officers to consider common health ailments, including obesity and diabetes, when would-be immigrants seek to enter the U.S.
www.npr.org
November 14, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Under new administration guidance, if you’re overweight or diabetic, you can be denied a visa to live in the U.S. all in the name of “protecting the taxpayer.”
Newsflash: immigrants are not the problem. They’re the ones helping to build our economy and communities. 🇺🇸
www.npr.org/2025/11/12/n...
Newsflash: immigrants are not the problem. They’re the ones helping to build our economy and communities. 🇺🇸
www.npr.org/2025/11/12/n...
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Academics who have advised a graduate student from China over the past years would be banned from federal funding. This would give the federal government one more lever to attack scientists. And how long before they expand the list of "hostile foreign" countries?
November 14, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Academics who have advised a graduate student from China over the past years would be banned from federal funding. This would give the federal government one more lever to attack scientists. And how long before they expand the list of "hostile foreign" countries?
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
They’re erasing the history because this administration doesn’t want evidence of public health successes or memory of a functioning CDC.
🚨🚨
🧵1/6 #FedFam, reporters - urgent help needed
🚨CDC Museum (a Smithsonian affiliate) is being shuttered🚨
Staff are being “un-RIFed” just to close the museum permanently — then RIFed again in Jan
This is bureaucratic cruelty & cultural vandalism
CDC Library is a national treasure
#SaveCDCLibrary
🧵1/6 #FedFam, reporters - urgent help needed
🚨CDC Museum (a Smithsonian affiliate) is being shuttered🚨
Staff are being “un-RIFed” just to close the museum permanently — then RIFed again in Jan
This is bureaucratic cruelty & cultural vandalism
CDC Library is a national treasure
#SaveCDCLibrary
The David J. Sencer CDC Museum: In Association with the Smithsonian
Free museum exhibiting public health topics and the history of CDC.
www.cdc.gov
November 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
They’re erasing the history because this administration doesn’t want evidence of public health successes or memory of a functioning CDC.
Politically motivated removals and political appointments are reminiscent of “science” under Soviet and other authoritarian regimes.
NEW: Jenna Norton, an NIH employee who is openly critical of Trump & RFK Jr, has been put on "non-disciplinary" administrative leave. She says the administration is trying to "scare and silence me." An HHS official, asked to comment, called her a radical leftist.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
N.I.H. Worker Who Criticized Trump Health Policies Says She Is on Administrative Leave
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Politically motivated removals and political appointments are reminiscent of “science” under Soviet and other authoritarian regimes.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
🚨🚨 @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social is a force. Her voice carries power, truth, and courage—threats to the regime.
The only thing authoritarians fear more than a voice they cannot control is a chorus. So let’s give them one: speak up, speak loudly, and don’t stop. Stand with Jenna. ✊🇺🇸
The only thing authoritarians fear more than a voice they cannot control is a chorus. So let’s give them one: speak up, speak loudly, and don’t stop. Stand with Jenna. ✊🇺🇸
Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us. Let’s not let.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
I guess I am hitting a nerve, because they just put me on admin leave.
TikTok video by Jenna
www.tiktok.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:48 PM
🚨🚨 @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social is a force. Her voice carries power, truth, and courage—threats to the regime.
The only thing authoritarians fear more than a voice they cannot control is a chorus. So let’s give them one: speak up, speak loudly, and don’t stop. Stand with Jenna. ✊🇺🇸
The only thing authoritarians fear more than a voice they cannot control is a chorus. So let’s give them one: speak up, speak loudly, and don’t stop. Stand with Jenna. ✊🇺🇸