Darlene
@placitas03.bsky.social
Retired. Historian by training. Public policy research/analysis by career. Trying to survive pandemic and politics.
Would love to see an update. E.g., there seems to be an emerging interest in whether/how Covid (and other viruses) alter(s) the immune system and the effect on the onset of other diseases over time.
January 18, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Would love to see an update. E.g., there seems to be an emerging interest in whether/how Covid (and other viruses) alter(s) the immune system and the effect on the onset of other diseases over time.
Remember being a history undergrad and finally finding a way to get into the stacks (generally denied to undergrads). Tranformative.
December 24, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Remember being a history undergrad and finally finding a way to get into the stacks (generally denied to undergrads). Tranformative.
As a New Mexican..is it possible small Ns or registration anomalies (such as registering Dem to play a role in primaries?) distort data in such a small state?
November 17, 2025 at 1:05 AM
As a New Mexican..is it possible small Ns or registration anomalies (such as registering Dem to play a role in primaries?) distort data in such a small state?
Based on the narrative of the article, there's a lot of missing data as well as lack of comparability of data collection across states. It isn't even clear when they relied on statewide or county health agencies. They do say they had to massage non-comparable data across states.
September 17, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Based on the narrative of the article, there's a lot of missing data as well as lack of comparability of data collection across states. It isn't even clear when they relied on statewide or county health agencies. They do say they had to massage non-comparable data across states.
What's the source for this chart? Asking as a New Mexican who finds it odd that two of the wealthiest counties in the country (Los Alamos and Santa Fe), in a state that promotes vaccination, have such low immunization rates.
September 17, 2025 at 1:19 AM
What's the source for this chart? Asking as a New Mexican who finds it odd that two of the wealthiest counties in the country (Los Alamos and Santa Fe), in a state that promotes vaccination, have such low immunization rates.
This article borders on elder abuse. There's no context. Why not systematically interview a large sample of old people? I'm 79 and I know no one who fits anywhere near the description in this article. I'm sure there are some--but what share?
September 6, 2025 at 4:14 PM
This article borders on elder abuse. There's no context. Why not systematically interview a large sample of old people? I'm 79 and I know no one who fits anywhere near the description in this article. I'm sure there are some--but what share?
I'm 79 and my husband is 86. Even if we get Covid vax we will be at even greater risk if RFKJr policy isn't reversed. We will live in a country with far more Covid spreading. I haven't seen any mention of this issue.
August 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
I'm 79 and my husband is 86. Even if we get Covid vax we will be at even greater risk if RFKJr policy isn't reversed. We will live in a country with far more Covid spreading. I haven't seen any mention of this issue.
It won't change without active work by Democrats and others to enable the change. That means constantly highlighting treatment of Hispanics (regardless of legal status) as well as pocketbook issues).
August 22, 2025 at 6:56 PM
It won't change without active work by Democrats and others to enable the change. That means constantly highlighting treatment of Hispanics (regardless of legal status) as well as pocketbook issues).
They're not dense but they think their followers are and will believe this nonsense. If you point out he's making fun of Trump, they'll highlight it to make their followers angry. It's win win, I guess.
August 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
They're not dense but they think their followers are and will believe this nonsense. If you point out he's making fun of Trump, they'll highlight it to make their followers angry. It's win win, I guess.
Abstract makes it sound like this is an immutable trait. But what if it's situational? Age related? Etc.
July 21, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Abstract makes it sound like this is an immutable trait. But what if it's situational? Age related? Etc.
A substantial portion of what the Dept of Ed does is oversight to make sure all fed education programs are administered properly (services, rules, funds distribution) . Many states have wanted that money without these "strings" for years.
July 15, 2025 at 9:51 PM
A substantial portion of what the Dept of Ed does is oversight to make sure all fed education programs are administered properly (services, rules, funds distribution) . Many states have wanted that money without these "strings" for years.
Supplemental plans in traditional Medicare are lucrative as long as participants don't need a lot of specialized care (I view it as catastrophic insurance). MA is increasingly seen as upcharging the govt by claiming patients are sicker than they actually are.
July 6, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Supplemental plans in traditional Medicare are lucrative as long as participants don't need a lot of specialized care (I view it as catastrophic insurance). MA is increasingly seen as upcharging the govt by claiming patients are sicker than they actually are.
Many claim that MA makes money by overcharging the govt for services. Also, when participants need specialized care, they often discover their options are quite limited.
July 6, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Many claim that MA makes money by overcharging the govt for services. Also, when participants need specialized care, they often discover their options are quite limited.
I keep looking at that chart on the Biobank study of prescription drugs and mortality. It would seem that it raises a serious question of compounding. E.g., if you took atorvastatin for 40 yrs would 10 yrs of estrogen really add anything?
July 5, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I keep looking at that chart on the Biobank study of prescription drugs and mortality. It would seem that it raises a serious question of compounding. E.g., if you took atorvastatin for 40 yrs would 10 yrs of estrogen really add anything?
I've always found this recommendation confusing. High fiber is often high carb as well. How does that work for the pre-diabetic? Can you really deduct fiber grams from carb gms 1 for 1? Seems too simple.
May 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I've always found this recommendation confusing. High fiber is often high carb as well. How does that work for the pre-diabetic? Can you really deduct fiber grams from carb gms 1 for 1? Seems too simple.
I was part of a large group of feds that attended a speech in the offices of a research firm. Lunch was catered and I offered to pay but no one would take my money. That afternoon, my boss came around and collected $7 from each attendee.
May 11, 2025 at 5:21 PM
I was part of a large group of feds that attended a speech in the offices of a research firm. Lunch was catered and I offered to pay but no one would take my money. That afternoon, my boss came around and collected $7 from each attendee.
Weren't we just being told by the press that Trump's election was a reflection of the rightward movement of a wide swath of democracies?
May 3, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Weren't we just being told by the press that Trump's election was a reflection of the rightward movement of a wide swath of democracies?
From the 1950s, there are good estimates of the relationship between hospitalizations and estimated total cases (hospitalizations were roughly 1 percent). I wish the press would start reporting those estimates instead of (or in addition to) reported cases, which are an unknown subset of total cases.
May 2, 2025 at 6:53 PM
From the 1950s, there are good estimates of the relationship between hospitalizations and estimated total cases (hospitalizations were roughly 1 percent). I wish the press would start reporting those estimates instead of (or in addition to) reported cases, which are an unknown subset of total cases.
Seriously, if a tourist gets a moving violation do they get removed? A parking ticket?
May 2, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Seriously, if a tourist gets a moving violation do they get removed? A parking ticket?
Claiming to want to make deals while also claiming tariffs will replace income tax kinda makes negotiating impossible even before talking to any foreign govt.
April 29, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Claiming to want to make deals while also claiming tariffs will replace income tax kinda makes negotiating impossible even before talking to any foreign govt.
In other words, tarrifs forever. I thought they were supposed to be an impetus for negotiations.
April 27, 2025 at 10:37 PM
In other words, tarrifs forever. I thought they were supposed to be an impetus for negotiations.
This article doesn't even begin to address the costs of stopping govt contracts in midstream. These cuts, for convenience, will play out in lawsuits over years and will be a huge additional financial liability for the govt.
April 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
This article doesn't even begin to address the costs of stopping govt contracts in midstream. These cuts, for convenience, will play out in lawsuits over years and will be a huge additional financial liability for the govt.
Are you trying to create a "rift" because the idea of friction creates attention? How about different priorities? A continuum of views?
April 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Are you trying to create a "rift" because the idea of friction creates attention? How about different priorities? A continuum of views?
Imagine the added leverage that statement provides to Chinese officials.
April 17, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Imagine the added leverage that statement provides to Chinese officials.