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varsenikw.bsky.social
@varsenikw.bsky.social
330 followers 140 following 230 posts
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alyssaharad.bsky.social
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
blipstress.bsky.social violet allen @blipstress.bsky.social · 1d
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
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tomjoscelyn.bsky.social
This should be a major scandal. The Blaze falsely reported that a former U.S. Capitol Police officer was the Jan. 6th pipe bomber. But it wasn’t just another miss by conservative media promoting conspiracies.

Someone in US intel - at ODNI - was promoting it:

www.cbsnews.com/news/jan-6-p...
November 25, 2025 at 10:25 PM
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toadpuppy.bsky.social
Hey folks, if you aren’t already vaccinated, or don’t know your status, get vaccinated and protect babies who may be too young to get their shots. It’s easy and painless, and mine was free with my insurance, so talk to your healthcare provider and do the thing!
jessdkant.bsky.social Jesspooka Kant 🎃 @jessdkant.bsky.social · 14h
A third infant has died in Kentucky, KYDPH adds:

“These are Kentucky’s first pertussis deaths since 2018. None of the infants nor their mothers received the recommended pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy or early infancy.”

s3.amazonaws.com/nursing-netw...
Kentucky Public Health KENTUCKY HEALTH ALERT Increase in Pertussis in Kentucky Recommendations for Identification and Prevention November 21, 2025 Kentucky health officials are alerting providers that cases of pertussis ("whooping cough") have increased steadily across the Commonwealth in recent weeks. To date, 566 cases of pertussis have been reported in Kentucky in 2025, the highest number of cases in the Commonwealth since 2012. This follows a trend that was first announced in July 2024 when pertussis cases began increasing in Kentucky to levels not seen in over a decade. Health officials anticipate that pertussis will continue to increase during the winter months based on historic trends. Many U.S. states and other countries are also experiencing elevated levels of pertussis. Many of the recent cases have occurred in young infants, and health officials also recently confirmed the third pertussis-related death in a Kentucky infant within the last year. This follows two other infant deaths that were announced in June. These are Kentucky's first pertussis deaths since 2018. None of the infants nor their mothers received the recommended pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy or early infancy. Health officials urge all Kentuckians to remain up to date on recommended pertussis immunizations and emphasize the importance of maternal immunization during pregnancy, and for all infants beginning promptly at two months of age. Health officials also encourage providers to consider pertussis as a diagnosis in addition to circulating seasonal respiratory viruses such as influenza, RSV and COVID-19. A significant number of cases have also occurred in school-aged children, many of whom were up to date on pertussis vaccination. Immunity from vaccination or natural infection wanes over time so infections can occur in people who are fully vaccinated. However, the vaccine is known to reduce disease severity, and hospitalization among vaccinated individuals is rare. The Kentucky Dep… Kentucky Public Health regularly in Kentucky, however an increase beyond the expected background rate has been reported in recent weeks. Though pertussis vaccination (DTaP or Tdap) is available and widely implemented, B. pertussis continues to spread in the U.S. due to lack of vaccination or timely boosters, the lack of lifelong immunity from vaccination or natural infection and the long duration of infectiousness in untreated cases. Symptoms of pertussis usually begin with a runny or congested nose, a low-grade fever, and mild coughing; apnea/stopping breathing can also occur in infants. After one to two weeks, the cough can progress to rapid, violent (paroxysmal) coughing fits that can cause the "whooping" sound, vomiting or labored breathing. Young children are the most severely affected; most teens and adults will have mild symptoms. People with preexisting health conditions that may be worsened by whooping cough are at high risk for developing a severe infection. Testing for Pertussis: The preferred methods for pertussis testing include nasal pharyngeal (NP) swab or nasal wash via PCR testing or culture. PCR has optimal sensitivity during the first three weeks of cough, is widely available at commercial laboratories and has a fast turnaround time. Culture is considered the gold standard due to excellent specificity but may take longer to complete. Serology for antibodies to B. pertussis is available at many commercial laboratories, however, serologic assays are not generally recommended for primary diagnosis of pertussis due to variability and unknown clinical accuracy. The most promising serologic assays are those that measure IgG antibodies against pertussis toxin only and are collected two to eight weeks following cough onset. Prevention of Pertussis: Prevention of pertussis is primarily achieved through routine vaccination with DTaP (ages two months to six years) and Tdap (ages seven years and older), followed by appropriate booster doses. Vaccination of pr… Bordetella parapertussis B. parapertussis is a bacterium that is similar to B. pertussis and can cause pertussis-like illness but does not produce pertussis toxin. Symptoms of parapertussis are typically milder and infection may be asymptomatic. There is no vaccine for B. parapertussis and post-exposure prophylaxis is not recommended, however treatment recommendations for symptomatic patients are the same as those for B. pertussis. B. parapertussis is not reportable in Kentucky. Thank you for your attention to this alert and guidance. The KDPH pertussis website includes supplemental resources, including a pertussis quicksheet with additional information that providers may find useful. If you have questions regarding reporting, testing, or prevention of pertussis or other infectious diseases, please contact the Kentucky Immunization Branch at (502) 564-4478 or after hours by calling the KDPH Epidemiology on-call line at 888-9-REPORT (888-973-7678). Our Mission: To improve the health and safety of people in Kentucky through Prevention, Promotion, and Protection
November 25, 2025 at 10:08 PM
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thrasherxy.bsky.social
When we spoke in 2020, Alice Wong wondered if a million Covid deaths would drive Americans to care.

By 2022, a million Americans had died of Covid.

To read the full transcript of this interview, visit tinyurl.com/5ez375t9
Description: A picture of Alice Wong, looking concerned. She is wearing a BIPAP mask. Above her is the text In 2020, Alice wondered if a million Covid deaths would drive Americans to care. (By 2022, a million Americans died of Covid) Below is the text like, I’m wondering, like, what is it gonna take? What numbers do we have to reach until people care? And I don’t think we’re even close to that yet. Like, does it take a million deaths? I mean, I really don’t know if numbers are what is gonna drive people to care
November 25, 2025 at 5:16 AM
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tusk81.bsky.social
You may not see them, but they are very much welcome guests at our Thanksgiving table. Most of us won’t actually see the farm and meatpacking workers at our family feast this year, but that doesn’t mean their presence won’t be felt or should go unappreciated: open.substack.com/pub/americas...
This Year, Remember To Thank The Unseen Guests At Our Thanksgiving Table
Thank you for feeding us.
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:55 PM
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annameier.bsky.social
Friendly reminder that striking workers are asking you not to patronize ANY Starbucks store.

If you're traveling this week, your airport definitely has other options. Zero reason to even think about crossing a picket line!
November 24, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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gbbranstetter.bsky.social
The story told here--one where anecdata suggests agency and autonomy have run amok and nameless activists are to blame--certainly rhymes with the NYT's disastrous panic about trans kids. Then you realize it's literally being written by the same author.
nytimes.com The New York Times @nytimes.com · 1d
Autism rates have increased in recent decades, but the reasons are more complicated than what Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has presented. Hear more on today's episode of "The Daily." nyti.ms/480eqtm
The Autism Diagnosis Problem
Autism rates have increased in recent decades, but the reasons are more complicated than what Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has presented.
nyti.ms
November 24, 2025 at 9:36 PM
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billshea19.bsky.social
Just full-on classic 15th-20th century white Christian nationalist colonialism on full display. Your children must die overseas to boost oil company profits.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d
Rep. Salazar: "We're gonna be doing a favor to us, to our children, to our economy, to our oil companies to be able to liberate. And to Venezuelans who wants to be free."
November 24, 2025 at 9:21 PM
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onyxnuva.bsky.social
#savespeech #stopKOSA #DOYOUTJOBPARENTS
November 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
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longreads.com
"I look at that, and I have affection for a young man. It’s a Saturday night, and I’m at a typewriter with the fucking headphones on. I’m putting in the work. I’m doing it."— @themountaingoats.bsky.social's John Darnielle to Grayson Haver Currin for @GQmagazine.bsky.social
The Story John Darnielle Lived to Tell
When he was a teenager, the Mountain Goats founder never expected to live to 21. He has since become one of this century’s best songwriters. The lessons of his survival, life, and work feel endless.
www.gq.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:16 PM
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smittenkitchen.bsky.social
New! A dream of a pumpkin basque cheesecake that rewards last-minute planners with speed and ease. Almost halfway to pumpkin pie in flavor yet still a basque cheesecake, burnished edges and sunken-by-design center and all.

smittenkitchen.com/2025/11/pump...
November 24, 2025 at 10:44 PM
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haymarketbooks.org
Help us send 2,000 books to readers who are incarcerated this winter through our Books Not Bars program
Books Not Bars 2025 Holiday Campaign
BOOKS NOT BARS FOR THE HOLIDAYS Haymarket Books is committed to making our books available for free to people who are incarcerated. In an effort to support those inside who are dealing with the imm...
haymarketbooks.app.neoncrm.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:11 PM
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tiffanycli.bsky.social
Are we not even making our own disinformation? What happened to American manufacturing?
dieworkwear.bsky.social derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 3d
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.

My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
A Twitter account called Ivanka News tweets an AI image of a young woman wearing Muslim garb. The woman is holding a sign that says "I came here illegally. Should I be deported?" Ivanka News writes: What is your response to this person ?? In the "About this account" tab, it appears the account is based in Nigeria An account called MAGA scope writes: Who, in your view is the great enemy of the United States? Communism, Islam, Democratic Party, or Satan? The account is based in Nigeria. An account called MAGA Nadine writes: You go to work and find this. What would you do? The attached pic is an AI image that shows a microwave. The microwave has a sign that says "For religious reasons, this microwave is now making halal food only." The account is based in Morocco. An account called America First posts an AI image of Tulsi Gabbard. They wrote: How would you rate your trust in Tulsi Gabbard on a scale of 1-10?
November 24, 2025 at 12:24 AM
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leahgreenberg.bsky.social
This Black Friday weekend we are going to send a message to corporations that enable Trump and the MAGA agenda: #WeAintBuyingIt
indivisiblechicago.bsky.social Indivisible Chicago Alliance ❌👑 @indivisiblechicago.bsky.social · 4d
😠 Are you sick of corporations enabling this administration by ditching DEI, allowing ICE to terrorize our communities, & chasing tax breaks?

❌💲 From Thanksgiving morning through nighttime Cyber Monday, BUY NOTHING from Target, Home Depot, and Amazon. Join us & spread the word! #WeAintBuyingIt 🚫
We Ain't Buying It - Target, Home Depot & Amazon
app.sosha.ai
November 23, 2025 at 6:39 PM
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meganpiont.bsky.social
New "How to Report ICE" zines up today:

#SantaClara County en español

#NewHaven

#SouthCentralPA (Adams, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster & York counties)

#Ulster County, NY

drive.google.com/drive/folder...
SALUTE zines **BE SURE TO PRINT AT 100%!** - Google Drive
drive.google.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:19 PM
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michaelhobbes.bsky.social
Won't someone think of the real victims, men who are attracted to teenagers
November 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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health.bnonews.com
BREAKING: Man from Washington state dies after being infected with H5N5 bird flu
November 22, 2025 at 1:01 AM
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ence.bsky.social
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.

We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.

washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
November 21, 2025 at 2:56 PM
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imanibarbarin.bsky.social
Are there any metal workers in the Philadelphia area that can help me fix a mobility aid?
November 21, 2025 at 8:01 PM
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luckytran.com
No single person, especially someone with zero expertise, should be able to just change the CDC website on a whim. The fact that federal health and science pages are no longer trustable is a catastrophe for public health and democracy.
Kennedy Says He Told C.D.C. to Change Website’s Language on Autism and Vaccines
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:05 PM
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gregpak.net
Just a reminder that @ericswalwell.bsky.social smeared Mamdani during the campaign by saying “I don’t associate myself with what [Mamdani] has said about the Jewish people.” Mamdani said he’d protect Jews in NYC from antisemitic attacks. Swalwell doesn’t associate himself with fighting antisemitism?
gregpak.net Greg Pak @gregpak.net · Jun 30
I just called Gillbrand Jeffries Goldman & Swalwell and told them that by misrepresenting or ignoring Mamdani's actual words & policies, they're making me feel less safe in my own city. I said instead of their scaremongering, I want Mamdani and Lander's vision of us all coming together in NYC.
possumacquainter.bsky.social Gregory Possum-Friend @possumacquainter.bsky.social · Jun 30
bad news for Mamdani: i just imagined him shooting at my feet with two revolvers while shouting "dance! dance, ya varmint, dance!!" and then cackling so maniacally that his cowboy hat falls off. When will he go on TV to apologize for doing this
November 21, 2025 at 12:16 PM
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harleighdog.bsky.social
NC is only a red state through *extensive* gerrymandering, and the left is built different down here

we don't play nice because we can't fucking afford to

the people of NC are *fed up* with this shit, and ICE just walked right into the middle of it and thought they'd get a hero's welcome

fuck ICE
November 20, 2025 at 6:33 AM
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harleighdog.bsky.social
meemaw out on her porch with a rifle while ICE tried to kidnap her landscaper is especially NC-coded

welcome to open carry and stand your ground country, dipshits, guns are practically a religion down here and you're running through the woods in camo during deer season
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 AM
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aljazeera.com
US Muslim civil rights group says Greg Abbott's designation of its Texas chapter is 'unconstitutional and defamatory'.
CAIR sues Texas governor over ‘unconstitutional’ terror designation
US Muslim civil rights group says Greg Abbott's designation of its Texas chapter is 'unconstitutional and defamatory'.
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM