AF the Virologist
@afthescientist.bsky.social
Virologist, PhD, collector of hobbies & plants, 🏳️🌈, 🐈⬛, currently in career & prof dev for scientists, AuDHD & hypermobile, she/her
Pfp: sassy sketch of me - white woman with a shaved head wearing pearls & cateye glasses by @atlastalos.bsky.social
Pfp: sassy sketch of me - white woman with a shaved head wearing pearls & cateye glasses by @atlastalos.bsky.social
Pinned
I just want to live in a world where it’s safe for people to exist. Exist as themselves and who they want to be without hatred and vitriol and violence everywhere they turn.
I just want there to be more kindness in the world.
I just want there to be more kindness in the world.
Okay I think I’m taking a bluesky break at least for the weekend.
Don’t forget to take care of yourselves, friends. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Don’t forget to take care of yourselves, friends. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
July 25, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Okay I think I’m taking a bluesky break at least for the weekend.
Don’t forget to take care of yourselves, friends. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Don’t forget to take care of yourselves, friends. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Encouraging update!
I got through to Mastercard and the supervisor I spoke to said they're actually aware of this, they've received multiple calls and it's been escalated to their global HQ and they're awaiting a response. KEEP CALLING!!
July 25, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Encouraging update!
Reposted by AF the Virologist
if you have a license that interacts with these system please contact your board and make a collective stand against participating in these systems
July 25, 2025 at 7:59 PM
if you have a license that interacts with these system please contact your board and make a collective stand against participating in these systems
I have never been a big fan of YouTube for this reason.
Why do you need a 15 minute build up to get to the point? Argh. 2 minutes total would have been too much.
I would rather read.
Why do you need a 15 minute build up to get to the point? Argh. 2 minutes total would have been too much.
I would rather read.
Pivot to video was such a curse. Now everything’s like obviously you’d rather watch a 40 minute video than read a sentence.
July 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
I have never been a big fan of YouTube for this reason.
Why do you need a 15 minute build up to get to the point? Argh. 2 minutes total would have been too much.
I would rather read.
Why do you need a 15 minute build up to get to the point? Argh. 2 minutes total would have been too much.
I would rather read.
Reposted by AF the Virologist
Yeah, I worked in customer support and, if it's a 'peak' of one day, they will not care. They'll wipe their hands and say "ok, volumes are back to normal, it's fixed"
If after a week they are still receiving pressure... Then they'll begin to get nervous
If after a week they are still receiving pressure... Then they'll begin to get nervous
we are going to need to keep up this 'yelling at payment processors' energy for more than just today
Ideally, we will need to keep up this pressure over a span of a few weeks
As many people as possible, each making 2-4 calls a day, for a few weeks, is going to make the biggest impact
Ideally, we will need to keep up this pressure over a span of a few weeks
As many people as possible, each making 2-4 calls a day, for a few weeks, is going to make the biggest impact
July 24, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Yeah, I worked in customer support and, if it's a 'peak' of one day, they will not care. They'll wipe their hands and say "ok, volumes are back to normal, it's fixed"
If after a week they are still receiving pressure... Then they'll begin to get nervous
If after a week they are still receiving pressure... Then they'll begin to get nervous
Lol the weather app is once again extremely wrong forcing me to delay mowing yet again.
July 25, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Lol the weather app is once again extremely wrong forcing me to delay mowing yet again.
Reposted by AF the Virologist
Calling all scientists-join @faseborg.bsky.social on their August recess advocacy challenge. You don’t need to be a member to participate. Congress doesn’t seem willing to cut science funding as deeply as the White House wants but needs to hear from you 🧪 www.faseb.org/journals-and...
a man says call your senators with his hands folded
Alt: a man says call your senators with his hands folded
media.tenor.com
July 25, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Calling all scientists-join @faseborg.bsky.social on their August recess advocacy challenge. You don’t need to be a member to participate. Congress doesn’t seem willing to cut science funding as deeply as the White House wants but needs to hear from you 🧪 www.faseb.org/journals-and...
Reposted by AF the Virologist
casual reminder that all my queer as fuck eBooks are free to download right now! check out mind-bending sci-fi, fantasy adventures, and a surreal thriller!
constelisvoss.com/collections/...
#booksky #writingcommunity
constelisvoss.com/collections/...
#booksky #writingcommunity
CONSTELIS VOSS eBooks by K. Leigh
Need some LGBT+ indie eBooks to read? We've got you covered. Sci-fi, action, adventure, and much more. Every download comes with multiple formats to make e-reading a breeze. Shop quality novels by K. ...
constelisvoss.com
July 25, 2025 at 5:31 PM
casual reminder that all my queer as fuck eBooks are free to download right now! check out mind-bending sci-fi, fantasy adventures, and a surreal thriller!
constelisvoss.com/collections/...
#booksky #writingcommunity
constelisvoss.com/collections/...
#booksky #writingcommunity
Take 2 on webinar.
It’s called “Staying Grounded: What International Postdocs and Administrators need to know”
It’s called “Staying Grounded: What International Postdocs and Administrators need to know”
July 25, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Take 2 on webinar.
It’s called “Staying Grounded: What International Postdocs and Administrators need to know”
It’s called “Staying Grounded: What International Postdocs and Administrators need to know”
Why yes, I did just sign on for a webinar 30 minutes early because my brain convinced me that’s when it was.
July 25, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Why yes, I did just sign on for a webinar 30 minutes early because my brain convinced me that’s when it was.
Same issue with answering a question they asked or explaining an interesting topic.
People assume you’re talking down to them, I’m not, I’m just talking about this cool topic I know a lot about and I’m trying to share my knowledge with you. I don’t care that you don’t know, I’m sharing so you do.
People assume you’re talking down to them, I’m not, I’m just talking about this cool topic I know a lot about and I’m trying to share my knowledge with you. I don’t care that you don’t know, I’m sharing so you do.
Autistic folks who read a lot and enjoy words: do people also assume you're talking down to them or using a thesaurus just coz you're like
using words?
using words?
July 25, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Same issue with answering a question they asked or explaining an interesting topic.
People assume you’re talking down to them, I’m not, I’m just talking about this cool topic I know a lot about and I’m trying to share my knowledge with you. I don’t care that you don’t know, I’m sharing so you do.
People assume you’re talking down to them, I’m not, I’m just talking about this cool topic I know a lot about and I’m trying to share my knowledge with you. I don’t care that you don’t know, I’m sharing so you do.
Oh neat.
The sump pump for the washing machine has started doing loud drip noises but no leaks and is otherwise working.
That’s definitely not already overstimulating me. 🙃🫠
I guess time for headphones even though I don’t want them.
The sump pump for the washing machine has started doing loud drip noises but no leaks and is otherwise working.
That’s definitely not already overstimulating me. 🙃🫠
I guess time for headphones even though I don’t want them.
July 25, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Oh neat.
The sump pump for the washing machine has started doing loud drip noises but no leaks and is otherwise working.
That’s definitely not already overstimulating me. 🙃🫠
I guess time for headphones even though I don’t want them.
The sump pump for the washing machine has started doing loud drip noises but no leaks and is otherwise working.
That’s definitely not already overstimulating me. 🙃🫠
I guess time for headphones even though I don’t want them.
🧵
Okay, well.
Queer & especially trans authors of erotica and other content deemed 'nsfw' by major platforms, please drop links to where people can find your stories in the replies.
Everyone else: Repost people's links. Stop worrying about the sanctity of your feed & help the most impacted authors.
Queer & especially trans authors of erotica and other content deemed 'nsfw' by major platforms, please drop links to where people can find your stories in the replies.
Everyone else: Repost people's links. Stop worrying about the sanctity of your feed & help the most impacted authors.
July 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
🧵
Day 2 lol
Sorry I forgot this was the no jokes ever app. My bad.
I assure you it will happen again.
I assure you it will happen again.
July 25, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Day 2 lol
Reposted by AF the Virologist
Outlawing homelessness: when I spent five years rough sleeping during the early 90s, almost all the homeless men were vets with PTSD. Reagan shut mental health institutions and put them into the world with zero support.
Every guy in our camp had been in 'Nam.
Rinse...repeat.
Every guy in our camp had been in 'Nam.
Rinse...repeat.
July 25, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Outlawing homelessness: when I spent five years rough sleeping during the early 90s, almost all the homeless men were vets with PTSD. Reagan shut mental health institutions and put them into the world with zero support.
Every guy in our camp had been in 'Nam.
Rinse...repeat.
Every guy in our camp had been in 'Nam.
Rinse...repeat.
A constant thought in the brain of people with pattern recognition 😩:
July 25, 2025 at 3:33 PM
A constant thought in the brain of people with pattern recognition 😩:
I had some ice cream out of a bowl with skulls on it.
That helped some.
That helped some.
July 25, 2025 at 3:00 AM
I had some ice cream out of a bowl with skulls on it.
That helped some.
That helped some.
It wasn’t just that day, it’s been the whole week.
Apparently, my brain is deciding it’s a confront trauma and grief day.
July 25, 2025 at 2:40 AM
It wasn’t just that day, it’s been the whole week.
A story
My late friend needed housing. They were disabled and living with abusive parents. Their mom said abusive and toxic things, hid their meds, & used chemicals knowingly setting off their child’s asthma. Their dad made food that regularly made them sick.
1/
My late friend needed housing. They were disabled and living with abusive parents. Their mom said abusive and toxic things, hid their meds, & used chemicals knowingly setting off their child’s asthma. Their dad made food that regularly made them sick.
1/
The houseless EO has hit particularly hard tonight. I know so many amazing people who have been houseless or close to it.
Everyone deserves better.
Everyone deserves better.
July 25, 2025 at 2:28 AM
A story
My late friend needed housing. They were disabled and living with abusive parents. Their mom said abusive and toxic things, hid their meds, & used chemicals knowingly setting off their child’s asthma. Their dad made food that regularly made them sick.
1/
My late friend needed housing. They were disabled and living with abusive parents. Their mom said abusive and toxic things, hid their meds, & used chemicals knowingly setting off their child’s asthma. Their dad made food that regularly made them sick.
1/
Reposted by AF the Virologist
*INSTITUTIONALIZATION IS WORSE THEN JAIL*
Disabled, mentally ill, and homeless people thrown into institutions don’t get phone calls, lawyers, or trails. THEY ARE DISAPPEARED with no time limits or advocate for as long as the state pleases.
You know it’s bad when prisoners have more protections.
Disabled, mentally ill, and homeless people thrown into institutions don’t get phone calls, lawyers, or trails. THEY ARE DISAPPEARED with no time limits or advocate for as long as the state pleases.
You know it’s bad when prisoners have more protections.
July 24, 2025 at 10:47 PM
*INSTITUTIONALIZATION IS WORSE THEN JAIL*
Disabled, mentally ill, and homeless people thrown into institutions don’t get phone calls, lawyers, or trails. THEY ARE DISAPPEARED with no time limits or advocate for as long as the state pleases.
You know it’s bad when prisoners have more protections.
Disabled, mentally ill, and homeless people thrown into institutions don’t get phone calls, lawyers, or trails. THEY ARE DISAPPEARED with no time limits or advocate for as long as the state pleases.
You know it’s bad when prisoners have more protections.
The houseless EO has hit particularly hard tonight. I know so many amazing people who have been houseless or close to it.
Everyone deserves better.
Everyone deserves better.
July 25, 2025 at 1:46 AM
The houseless EO has hit particularly hard tonight. I know so many amazing people who have been houseless or close to it.
Everyone deserves better.
Everyone deserves better.
Finally watched Kpop Demon Hunters tonight.
I was not prepared for the emotional gut punch 😭 but it was really good.
I was not prepared for the emotional gut punch 😭 but it was really good.
July 25, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Finally watched Kpop Demon Hunters tonight.
I was not prepared for the emotional gut punch 😭 but it was really good.
I was not prepared for the emotional gut punch 😭 but it was really good.
👀
I know we're upset about itch, but they're not the only ones
Payment processors harassed companies bc of a 1,000 email hate campaign
But we can EASILY top 1,000!
I prewrote an email + got the contact info - you just have to send!
↻💬♡ to boost
We CAN make a difference 💕
#itch #censorship
1/🧵
Payment processors harassed companies bc of a 1,000 email hate campaign
But we can EASILY top 1,000!
I prewrote an email + got the contact info - you just have to send!
↻💬♡ to boost
We CAN make a difference 💕
#itch #censorship
1/🧵
July 25, 2025 at 1:21 AM
👀
Bicon
July 25, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Bicon
Reposted by AF the Virologist
Not only are there already not enough resources, new Medicaid cuts will gut the flimsy safety net, ending pathways out of punishment.
Meanwhile, you know who leaves the light on 24/7/365.
It's a straight-up mass incarceration edict gussied up with words like "humane" to help his allies sell it.
Meanwhile, you know who leaves the light on 24/7/365.
It's a straight-up mass incarceration edict gussied up with words like "humane" to help his allies sell it.
The summary is that they are trying to criminalize every aspect of homelessness so they can arrest & forcibly commit unhoused people. Currently(/before), there are not enough mental health & substance use treatment beds/facilities, and this does not add anything, which only leaves imprisoning people
The president just issued an executive order to curb "Crime and Disorder on America's Streets"
Its primary target: unhoused people share.google/1JD7LxJ9oW2r...
Its primary target: unhoused people share.google/1JD7LxJ9oW2r...
July 24, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Not only are there already not enough resources, new Medicaid cuts will gut the flimsy safety net, ending pathways out of punishment.
Meanwhile, you know who leaves the light on 24/7/365.
It's a straight-up mass incarceration edict gussied up with words like "humane" to help his allies sell it.
Meanwhile, you know who leaves the light on 24/7/365.
It's a straight-up mass incarceration edict gussied up with words like "humane" to help his allies sell it.