SMcDonnell
@smcdonnell.bsky.social
Preventive Medicine Physician & Epidemiologist. EIS '93. Textile art, Photography, Chickens, New England.
Well done, "we must now direct our energies to understanding this new constellation of power, as well as the pathways available for opponents to respond", in the short and long term. Many of our precious norms need to become laws and enforceable.
The Eric Schickler essay in Larry Bartel's symposium on "What Trump Has Taught Us About Political Science" is one of the most insightful pieces I've read in 2025.
US institutions turned out to be weak, and we have to rethink conventional wisdom.
open access: academic.oup.com/psq/advance-...
US institutions turned out to be weak, and we have to rethink conventional wisdom.
open access: academic.oup.com/psq/advance-...
November 20, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Well done, "we must now direct our energies to understanding this new constellation of power, as well as the pathways available for opponents to respond", in the short and long term. Many of our precious norms need to become laws and enforceable.
A useful and heartbreaking account. Thank you.
oh man.
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
A useful and heartbreaking account. Thank you.
We need wonky right now.... lots of wonky.
Wonky but important question for understanding the effects of proposals to convert ACA premium tax credits to health savings accounts: How big would the contributions be? Would they vary by income, age, and geography in the same way as the premium tax credits?
November 19, 2025 at 2:59 PM
We need wonky right now.... lots of wonky.
Today I had the good fortune to hear a talk by the Maine State Economist. She, Amanda Rector, was invited by Maine Health (DoraAnne Mills). Covered a lot of ground. Here is one eye-popping chart about projected health care premiums in rural Maine if Enhanced Premium Tax Credits expire.
November 19, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Today I had the good fortune to hear a talk by the Maine State Economist. She, Amanda Rector, was invited by Maine Health (DoraAnne Mills). Covered a lot of ground. Here is one eye-popping chart about projected health care premiums in rural Maine if Enhanced Premium Tax Credits expire.
THIS!
They’re going to regulate whistles before guns aren’t they?
November 19, 2025 at 12:30 AM
THIS!
The recidivism rate is amazing. Almost NOT random.
There are like 3 “Trump helps pedos” stories JUST THIS WEEK
"A man pardoned by President Donald Trump for storming the Capitol was arrested on child molestation charges, according to Florida officials, who said he tried to use an anticipated Jan. 6 payout to silence the victim."
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
November 19, 2025 at 12:16 AM
The recidivism rate is amazing. Almost NOT random.
The term elite is too broad. Do we mean super-rich with few community values and entitled sense that they don't need to follow rules?
“What we’ve already seen of the Epstein emails offers a remarkable window into the bipartisan decadence and depravity of many of our elites. Democrats should run against not just Trump and the GOP, but against elites in general in 2026, and I dare say in 2028.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-eps...
www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-eps...
Trump’s Epstein Humiliation Grows
The president saw defeat and ran. But that doesn’t mean the fight over releasing the files is over.
www.thebulwark.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:53 PM
The term elite is too broad. Do we mean super-rich with few community values and entitled sense that they don't need to follow rules?
Yes stop talking about "Immigrants" as a group and talk about our neighbors, friends, and workers.
Often overlooked, Trump has canny outbreaks of performative moderation at critical moments. And as Trump’s argument with Ingraham suggests, this shows Democrats where to divide MAGA further. trib.al/TV4gUWO
November 16, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Yes stop talking about "Immigrants" as a group and talk about our neighbors, friends, and workers.
When AI Coaches Cross the Line
The FDA is considering regulating mental health chatbots. Study shows that chatbots gave advice that violated clinical guidelines with harmful suggestions to users in distress. AI system should face oversight and liability
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
The FDA is considering regulating mental health chatbots. Study shows that chatbots gave advice that violated clinical guidelines with harmful suggestions to users in distress. AI system should face oversight and liability
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
New study: AI chatbots systematically violate mental health ethics standards
Researchers at Brown University found that AI chatbots routinely violate core mental health ethics standards, underscoring the need for legal standards and oversight as use of these tools increases.
www.eurekalert.org
November 16, 2025 at 1:18 AM
When AI Coaches Cross the Line
The FDA is considering regulating mental health chatbots. Study shows that chatbots gave advice that violated clinical guidelines with harmful suggestions to users in distress. AI system should face oversight and liability
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
The FDA is considering regulating mental health chatbots. Study shows that chatbots gave advice that violated clinical guidelines with harmful suggestions to users in distress. AI system should face oversight and liability
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
This is important. Thanks for the analysis. We need to know about fairness and how rules are made and implemented.
After Ghislaine Maxwell lied to Todd Blanche, someone waived her sex offender status and moved her to Club Fed with "OUT" custody - allowing her to work outside the prison walls. 3 months ago, I got her Bureau of Prisons points screen as proof. We still don't know who approved all this.
BREAKING: EXCLUSIVE: Senator Whitehouse asked the BOP for Ghislaine Maxwells sex offender waiver, custody level, transfer code, and security point score. I have them. She's also been granted the ability to leave the facility for work assignments. My latest: www.muellershewrote.com/p/exclusive-...
November 14, 2025 at 1:48 AM
This is important. Thanks for the analysis. We need to know about fairness and how rules are made and implemented.
YES! Seeing is believing (or maybe a step towards it)
We need videos from optical gas imaging cameras for CO₂ emissions.
What you see without an OGI camera vs what you see with an OGI camera.
What you are seeing in a plume of methane and VOCs.
You can see how it is so easy for them to ignore the ongoing systemic methane pollution.
What you are seeing in a plume of methane and VOCs.
You can see how it is so easy for them to ignore the ongoing systemic methane pollution.
November 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM
YES! Seeing is believing (or maybe a step towards it)
The GOP vision: Think of a health care system and take out "health", "care" and "system" and make sure it makes rich people richer.
It’s been ten years
FOX NEWS: So what would Trumpcare look like?
DR OZ: Well, these are all ideas that we're still working on
DR OZ: Well, these are all ideas that we're still working on
November 11, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The GOP vision: Think of a health care system and take out "health", "care" and "system" and make sure it makes rich people richer.
Today as Chair of the Residency Advisory Committee in Preventive Medicine our meeting is a bit like a funeral. But YLE is succor - we shall make it a wake. yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/infant-for...
Infant formula botulism cluster, black box warning for HRT, flu is waking up, new blood pressure guidelines, and more
This is your weekly Dose.
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Today as Chair of the Residency Advisory Committee in Preventive Medicine our meeting is a bit like a funeral. But YLE is succor - we shall make it a wake. yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/infant-for...
Reposted by SMcDonnell
HEY MAINERS – re: last night's Senate vote that so many feel dark about. It was a vote for cloture, NOT a vote to end the shutdown, but to move the bill w/agreed changes. Not an end to ACA, not pass the bill or open the gov't.
We must still CALL/EMAIL/WRITE Senators. #RESIST
Please listen here:
We must still CALL/EMAIL/WRITE Senators. #RESIST
Please listen here:
Government Shutdown: What's REALLY Happening? Eliza Explains! #shorts
YouTube video by Eliza Orlins
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:09 PM
HEY MAINERS – re: last night's Senate vote that so many feel dark about. It was a vote for cloture, NOT a vote to end the shutdown, but to move the bill w/agreed changes. Not an end to ACA, not pass the bill or open the gov't.
We must still CALL/EMAIL/WRITE Senators. #RESIST
Please listen here:
We must still CALL/EMAIL/WRITE Senators. #RESIST
Please listen here:
This exactly. We lost our income but there was a sense of purpose. Now, it feels meaningless.
All movements have disappointment and well-meaning allies that abandon us. We will not give in. We are the leaders.
All movements have disappointment and well-meaning allies that abandon us. We will not give in. We are the leaders.
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
November 10, 2025 at 1:57 PM
This exactly. We lost our income but there was a sense of purpose. Now, it feels meaningless.
All movements have disappointment and well-meaning allies that abandon us. We will not give in. We are the leaders.
All movements have disappointment and well-meaning allies that abandon us. We will not give in. We are the leaders.
Reposted by SMcDonnell
The regime despises poor people, yes. And importantly it does not fear poor people as a political force. It's important to take both of these together to understand what they are doing with SNAP. They do not believe that they will incur lasting political costs for their current actions.
November 9, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The regime despises poor people, yes. And importantly it does not fear poor people as a political force. It's important to take both of these together to understand what they are doing with SNAP. They do not believe that they will incur lasting political costs for their current actions.
The "future of the party" is to stop thinking that ONE GUY is the future. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/o...
Opinion | Mamdani Isn’t the Future of the Democrats. This Guy Is.
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:06 PM
The "future of the party" is to stop thinking that ONE GUY is the future. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/o...
The suggestions about "fixing" health insurance and the health "system" from GOP demonstrates why they have not been able to come up with a "Plan to replace ACA" and just have concepts.
Republican seems to forget that insurance companies have agency and shareholders. Those subsidies currently go directly to insurers to lower premiums. If you cut them off, insurers would raise prices or exit the ACA exchanges altogether, leaving millions without coverage options.
November 9, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The suggestions about "fixing" health insurance and the health "system" from GOP demonstrates why they have not been able to come up with a "Plan to replace ACA" and just have concepts.
And Maine
For those confused by state of play on SNAP right now: You're not alone
Yesterday, *before* SCOTUS paused order telling Trump admin to send out SNAP $$, a handful of states rushed to issue full SNAP benefits to at least part of their caseload.
This includes CA, OR, WA, MI, and WI—all blue states (🧵)
Yesterday, *before* SCOTUS paused order telling Trump admin to send out SNAP $$, a handful of states rushed to issue full SNAP benefits to at least part of their caseload.
This includes CA, OR, WA, MI, and WI—all blue states (🧵)
November 9, 2025 at 2:27 PM
And Maine
"Americans are set up for sickness. The U.S. government has done relatively little to improve access to affordable healthy food and minimize junk." Excellent article about possibility.
Fascinating fact: one major secret to getting people to eat better is to ease the amout of unpaid labor performed by women. Read on.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
Opinion | The French Secret to Healthier Eating
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:22 PM
"Americans are set up for sickness. The U.S. government has done relatively little to improve access to affordable healthy food and minimize junk." Excellent article about possibility.
Reposted by SMcDonnell
The median home price in the U.S. is $435,000. At 6.5% interest:
30-Year Mortgage:
- Monthly Payment: $2,750
- Total Loan Cost: $989,800
50-Year Mortgage:
- Monthly Payment: $2,450
- Total Loan Cost: $1,471,300
$1,036,300 just in interest. This is the definition of broken.
30-Year Mortgage:
- Monthly Payment: $2,750
- Total Loan Cost: $989,800
50-Year Mortgage:
- Monthly Payment: $2,450
- Total Loan Cost: $1,471,300
$1,036,300 just in interest. This is the definition of broken.
November 9, 2025 at 6:11 AM
The median home price in the U.S. is $435,000. At 6.5% interest:
30-Year Mortgage:
- Monthly Payment: $2,750
- Total Loan Cost: $989,800
50-Year Mortgage:
- Monthly Payment: $2,450
- Total Loan Cost: $1,471,300
$1,036,300 just in interest. This is the definition of broken.
30-Year Mortgage:
- Monthly Payment: $2,750
- Total Loan Cost: $989,800
50-Year Mortgage:
- Monthly Payment: $2,450
- Total Loan Cost: $1,471,300
$1,036,300 just in interest. This is the definition of broken.
Want to feel inspired? There are 1000 ways to put sand in the gears, to mock the humorless thugs, and make it just a bit harder for them to win. How about that election, eh?
November 9, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Want to feel inspired? There are 1000 ways to put sand in the gears, to mock the humorless thugs, and make it just a bit harder for them to win. How about that election, eh?
Just in case we thought racism wasn't central to the project
Thread: part of an ongoing project to erase people of color from military history:
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Just in case we thought racism wasn't central to the project
Reposted by SMcDonnell
🚨🚨 INFANT FORMULA RECALL 🚨🚨
Please share widely
👇
Please share widely
👇
ALERT: Baby Formula
13 cases of infant botulism reported from Aug through Nov 2025 coming in 10 states thus far. Please see web content for specifics on lot numbers and more.
Special shoutout to our friends and colleagues at CDC and FDA who got this out quickly all while not being paid.
13 cases of infant botulism reported from Aug through Nov 2025 coming in 10 states thus far. Please see web content for specifics on lot numbers and more.
Special shoutout to our friends and colleagues at CDC and FDA who got this out quickly all while not being paid.
Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula, November 2025
Details on an outbreak of infant botulism linked to infant formula, November 2025.
www.cdc.gov
November 9, 2025 at 3:25 AM
🚨🚨 INFANT FORMULA RECALL 🚨🚨
Please share widely
👇
Please share widely
👇
Reposted by SMcDonnell
The CDC runs the National HIV Surveillance System, which is a foundational resource for tracking HIV trends and improving prevention and care. They are seeking public feedback to keep this important effort going. Comments open until Dec 1, 2025. 🛟🧪
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce public burden and maximize the utility of government information, invites the general public and other ...
www.federalregister.gov
November 8, 2025 at 1:38 AM
The CDC runs the National HIV Surveillance System, which is a foundational resource for tracking HIV trends and improving prevention and care. They are seeking public feedback to keep this important effort going. Comments open until Dec 1, 2025. 🛟🧪
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...