Coronavirus & Monkeypox Tidbits #213 10/2/22
Announcements:
First, there is now a Resources Page here for the most commonly asked questions I'm getting.
Happy to continue to answer your questions/concerns as best I can, so don't be shy about that.
New posts:
Cracks In Promising Treatments For Monkeypox—TPOXX And Jynneos
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The Pandemic Is NOT Over
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/981321
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What Makes Some Infections Asymptomatic?
News
Covid:
Five things about covid we still don’t understand at our peril
https://wapo.st/3fAlzYB FREE gift article Good overview
Short-term increase in menstrual cycle length related to COVID-19 vaccination
A recent study found that women who received any type of COVID-19 vaccination had a short-term increase in menstrual cycle length, according to a press release from NIH.
This was the second NIH-funded study to investigate the relationship between menstrual cycle duration and COVID-19 vaccination.
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As few as 1 in 5 COVID cases may have been counted worldwide, mathematical models suggest
https://medicalxpress.com/
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Big COVID-19 waves may be coming, new Omicron strains suggest
Emerging subvariants have hit on a combination of mutations that makes them more immune evasive than ever
Science BYGRETCHEN VOGEL 27 SEP 2022
Nearly 3 years into the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 faces a formidable challenge: finding new ways around the immunity humans have built up through vaccines and countless infections. Worrisome new data show it is up to the challenge. Several new and highly immune-evasive strains of the virus have caught scientists’ attention in recent weeks; one or more may well cause big, new COVID-19 waves this fall and winter.
“We can say with certainty that something is coming. Probably multiple things are coming,” says Cornelius Roemer, who studies viral evolution at the University of Basel. Whether they will also lead to many hospitalizations and deaths is the big question.
“It’s not surprising that we’re seeing changes that yet again help the virus to evade immune responses,” says molecular epidemiologist Emma Hodcroft of the University of Bern, who notes that SARS-CoV-2 faces “the same challenge that things like the common cold and influenza face every year—how to make a comeback.”
The strains that look poised to drive the latest comeback are all subvariants of Omicron, which swept the globe over the past year. Several derived from BA.2, a strain that succeeded the initial BA.1 strain of Omicron but then was itself outcompeted in most places by BA.5, which has dominated in recent months. One of these, BA.2.75.2, seems to be spreading quickly in India, Singapore, and parts of Europe. Other new immune-evading strains have evolved from BA.5, including BQ.1.1, which has been spotted in multiple countries around the globe.
Despite their different origins, several of the new strains have chanced upon a similar combination of mutations to help scale the wall of immunity—a striking example of convergent evolution. They all have changes at half a dozen key points in the viral genome that influence how well neutralizing antibodies from vaccination or previous infection bind to the virus, says evolutionary biologist Jesse Bloom of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
https://www.science.org/content/article/big-covid-19-waves-may-be-coming-new-omicron-strains-suggest
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Kids with shortness of breath after COVID-19 may have airway obstruction
The authors said approximately 50 children have been seen at National Jewish Health over the course of the pandemic with shortness of breath as the primary symptom of long COVID. Almost all patients "report at least partial improvement of their dyspnea and improved exercise intolerance on initiation of inhaled corticosteroid therapy with, or without, long-acting β2-agonist," the authors said. Patients also benefit from an exercise regimen.
Sep 29 J Allergy Clin Immunol study
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Monkeypox:
Severe Manifestations of Monkeypox among People who are Immunocompromised Due to HIV or Other Conditions
Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network
Summary
- People who are immunocompromised due to HIV or other conditions are at higher risk for severe manifestations of monkeypox than people who are immunocompetent.
- Because people with HIV-associated immunocompromise are at risk for severe manifestations of monkeypox, the HIV status of all sexually active adults and adolescents with suspected or confirmed monkeypox should be determined.
- There are diagnostic and clinical management strategies that may help address severe manifestations of monkeypox.
Background
Since May 2022, more than 25,000 monkeypox cases have been identified in the United States. During the current outbreak in the United States, 38 percent of people diagnosed with monkeypox were coinfected with HIV1 and most reported cases of monkeypox with severe manifestations have been among people living with untreated HIV.... an increasing proportion of cases have been identified among Black and Hispanic/Latino people. Black and Hispanic/Latino people are disproportionately affected by HIV.
Severe manifestations of monkeypox can occur in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised people; however, most people diagnosed with monkeypox have had mild-to-moderate clinical courses. Of the people with severe manifestations of monkeypox for whom CDC has been consulted, the majority have had HIV with CD4 counts <200 cells/ml, indicating substantial immunosuppression. Healthcare providers should recognize underlying risk factors for severe disease, optimize immune function, and when appropriate, initiate medical countermeasures (such as tecovirimat and vaccinia immunoglobulin) early to prevent or mitigate severe disease.
https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2022/han00475.asp?
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US Jynneos vaccine eligibility expands
Yesterday during a White House press briefing, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Americans who were at risk for contracting monkeypox could now get the Jynneos vaccine prophylactically.
Previously, the CDC recommended that only those with known or likely exposure be vaccinated.
The CDC yesterday reported 168 more monkeypox cases, raising the national total to 25,509 infections. To date, the United States has administered 800,000 doses of Jynneos vaccine.
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/09/first-monkeypox-case-uk-likely-seen-march
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Studies detail monkeypox transmission risks
A study of almost 400 samples taken from men with monkeypox reveals a high prevalence of the virus on skin, throat, and anus swabs compared to in blood or urine—with detections in semen in the midrange—and high viral loads in skin and anal swabs.
Two other new studies detail transmission risk in a tattoo parlor and in healthcare settings, and in US news, officials report a monkeypox-related death in Ohio.
Viral DNA found on skin swabs of 88% of men
The new analysis of 356 samples from 50 men in France infected with monkeypox shows that viral DNA detection via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was more frequent from skin (88% of men), throat (77%), and anus (71%) swabs, than from semen (54%), blood (29%), or urine (22%).
The highest viral DNA loads were consistently found in skin and anus swabs, and lesions were common on the anus and genitals, which continues to suggest sexual contact as the main route of transmission. The study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases is one of several new studies that aim to describe real-world transmission risks of the poxvirus.
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Nurses infected after collecting samples
In another study highlighting transmission routes, practitioners writing in Emerging Infectious Diseases describe the infections of two Brazilian nurses 5 days after collecting samples from a monkeypox patient.
The authors say the virus was most likely transmitted via contact with contaminated objects. The nurses visited with the patient in his home and had no skin-to-skin contact with the patient, and they reported no sharps injuries. They wore N95 respirators and gloves, but did not sanitize clipboards and specimen-collection boxes.
"Our report provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that both [healthcare workers] infections observed in this study were transmitted through fomite exposure with surfaces in the patient's home, their own [personal protective equipment], or outer surfaces of the specimen transport box," the authors wrote.
High attack rate in tattoo-linked outbreak
Also published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases is a report on several monkeypox cases linked to a piercing and tattoo parlor in Cadiz, Spain. Of 54 exposed clients, 20 (37%) contracted the disease from Jul 19 to Aug 3.
In 90% of the cases, patients developed a rash at the piercing or tattoo site. Subsequent surface sampling showed extensively contaminated and unhygienic conditions, with detectable monkeypox viral DNA on work tables and chairs, and sharps and other work instruments.
"Together, these findings suggest that monkeypox virus can be transmitted through exposure to contaminated piercing or tattoo material and, potentially through contaminated hands, due to poor aseptic measures and handling of materials," the authors concluded.
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/
Ebola:
Uganda Ebola cases jump to 50, with 1 more death
The number of people infected in Uganda's Ebola Sudan outbreak jumped to 50 today, with 14 more cases added to the total, the World Health Organization (WHO) African region said today on Twitter.
One more person died, raising the fatality count to 24.
Of the 14 new cases, 13 are lab-confirmed and 1 is listed as probable, bringing the case numbers to 31 confirmed and 19 probable. The death occurred in someone who had a lab-confirmed case, raising the fatality count to 6 confirmed and 18 probable.
The number of affected districts remains at three: Mubende, Kassanda, and Kyegegwa. So far, no cases have been reported in the Kampala area.
So far, health officials have identified 414 contacts, up 191 from 3 days ago.
Possible vaccine trial in Uganda
In a related development, WHO officials have been meeting since last week to assess the possibility of an Ebola Sudan vaccine trial could be launched in Uganda's outbreak, Stat reported.
The Ebola Sudan vaccine furthest along in clinical trials and most likely to be tested in Uganda's outbreak is one developed by the Sabin Vaccine Institute. Stat said there are six candidate vaccines, but only three are in clinical trials.
The Sabin Vaccine Institute said its Ebola Sudan candidate, using GSK's ChAD3 platform and is given in one dose, has completed a phase 1B trial.
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/09/uganda-ebola-cases-jump-50-1-more-death
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https://twitter.com/Boghuma/status/1575813987761258496?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
Diagnostics:
Blood test could predict who is likely to get long COVID
A blood test taken at the time of COVID-19 infection could predict who is most likely to develop long COVID, suggests a new small-scale study led by UCL researchers.
The study, published in eBioMedicine, analyzed proteins in the blood of health care workers infected with SARS-CoV-2, comparing them to samples from health care workers who had not been infected.
Usually protein levels in the body are stable, but the researchers found a dramatic difference in levels of some of the proteins up to six weeks following infection, suggesting disruption to a number of important biological processes.
Using an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, they identified a "signature" in the abundance of different proteins that successfully predicted whether or not the person would go on to report persistent symptoms a year after infection.
The researchers say that if these findings are repeated in a larger, independent group of patients, a test that could predict people's likelihood of developing long COVID could potentially be offered alongside a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
Lead author Dr. Gaby Captur (MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL) said, "Our study shows that even mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 disrupts the profile of proteins in our blood plasma. This means that even mild COVID-19 affects normal biological processes in a dramatic way, up to at least six weeks after infection.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-09-blood-covid.html
Drugs and Vaccines:
https://twitter.com/KunstJonas/status/1575478773704630274?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
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Intranasal COVID-19 Vaccine Prepares Commercialization in U.S., Europe and Japan
Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and Ocugen, Inc. announced yesterday that they entered into an exclusive license agreement for the rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize its proprietary, intranasally delivered iNCOVACC COVID-19 vaccine in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
The iNCOVACC vaccine was authorized for emergency use in India on September 6, 2022.
“Because the vaccine can be delivered directly into the nose, it is specifically designed to block infection at the portal of virus entry. We believe it may help prevent transmission as well as protect against new COVID-19 variants.”...
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National study confirms that mRNA vaccines protect against serious COVID-19 during pregnancy
by Regenstrief Institute SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
The first large, real-world study of the effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy found these vaccines, especially two initial doses followed by a booster, are effective in protecting against serious disease in expectant mothers whether the shots are administered before or during pregnancy.
Pregnant women were excluded from COVID-19 mRNA vaccine clinical trials, so this new study fills a significant knowledge gap, providing strong evidence that vaccinating women who are or might become pregnant protects against hospitalization for the disease during pregnancy.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-09-national-mrna-vaccines-covid-pregnancy.html
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Remdesivir-resistant version of COVID-19 detected in organ transplant recipients
Recent studies have shown that patients with weakened immune systems—which enables the virus that causes COVID-19 to remain longer in the body, copy itself, and continually change—may enable the development of new, slightly different versions of the virus (variants). These patients include those treated with drugs that suppress the immune system to keep it from rejecting a newly transplanted organ.
A new study, led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and NYU Long Island School of Medicine, shows that two kidney transplant patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs, and who later had a lengthy COVID-19 infection, developed a version of the virus with a genetic change (mutation) that made it resistant to the antiviral therapy remdesivir.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-09-remdesivir-resistant-version-covid-transplant-recipients.html
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Monkeypox
Monkeypox vaccine 79% effective, according to Israeli preprint study
Sep 26 Research Square Israeli preprint study
Sep 26 CDC update
Sep 26 CDC Tpoxx update
Sep 26 CDC Jynneos update
Sep 26 Siga press release
Sep 25 NBC News story
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/09/news-scan-sep-26-2022
Devices:
Useful thread:
Kids <2 yrs old can’t mask.
— Mike Hoerger, PhD MSCR MBA (@michael_hoerger) July 14, 2022
Kids <6 months can’t vax.
Many parents are using strollers w/rain covers to try to get some protection during essential activities.
Does adding a #PAPR or #HEPA device help?
I tried 6 models: https://t.co/7LoGHrwMkI#PAPRbuggy #HEPAbuggy
1/10 pic.twitter.com/K4VMAAebAl
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Masks:
@masknerd has an awesome spreadsheet detailing the results of the many tests he’s done on his YouTube channel, which are sortable by metrics such as filtration efficiency and pressure drop (AKA breathability). I always consult it when I make a purchase:https://t.co/qjLQxyCHz6
— #SaveSilwan #SaveSheikhJarrah (@JohnBrownsBody2) September 24, 2022
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2. NIOSH doesn't approve earloops respirators for a good reason. HSE in the UK has issued an urgent warning against the use of earloop respirators, saying “they do not protect you”. Please heed their warning https://t.co/WWaPxYzkqe
— Dr Satoshi Akima FRACP 『秋間聰』 (@ToshiAkima) September 2, 2022
Epidemiology/Infection control:
WOAH!
— Alastair McLellan (@HSJEditor) September 29, 2022
BREAKING: Hospital admissions of covid positive patients in England up 48% in a week.
Fourth Covid wave of 2022 now in full effect
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European countries see early signs of autumn COVID-19 rise
Health officials in the United Kingdom and the European region as a whole are seeing early signs of rising COVID activity, patterns that US experts closely watch as a harbinger of how the next months might unfold.
Disease modeling experts have warned of a rise in infections in Northern Hemisphere countries as cooler weather brings more people indoors, as schools resume, and as vaccine protection wanes.
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New study finds that SARS-CoV-2 infects fat tissue and creates inflammatory storm cloud
Is SARS-CoV-2 hiding in your fat cells?
A study by Stanford Medicine investigators shows that SARS-CoV-2 can infect human fat tissue. This phenomenon was seen in laboratory experiments conducted on fat tissue excised from patients undergoing bariatric and cardiac surgeries, and later infected in a laboratory dish with SARS-CoV-2. It was further confirmed in autopsy samples from deceased COVID-19 patients.
Obesity is an established, independent risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as for the patients' progression, once infected, to severe disease and death. Reasons offered for this increased vulnerability range from impaired breathing resulting from the pressure of extra weight, to altered immune responsiveness in obese people.
But the new study provides a more direct reason: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can directly infect adipose tissue (which most of us refer to as just plain "fat"). That, in turn, cooks up a cycle of viral replication within resident fat cells, or adipocytes, and causes pronounced inflammation in immune cells that hang out in fat tissue. The inflammation converts even uninfected "bystander" cells within the tissue into an inflammatory state.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-09-sars-cov-infects-fat-tissue-inflammatory.html
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Covid in neonates:
https://twitter.com/imacuriosguy/status/1575318985801101313?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
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https://twitter.com/MackayIM/status/1575633780479385600?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
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Six countries report new polio cases this week
According to the latest update from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), six countries have new polio cases this week.
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Mozambique all have new wild poliovirus type 1 cases. This is Afghanistan's second case in 2022; last year the country reported 4 cases. In Pakistan, 2 polio cases were recorded, bringing the 2022 total to 19. In Mozambique, intensified surveillance has tracked 1 new polio case, bringing the yearly total to 6 in that country.
Benin and the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). Benin has 2 cases, with 6 total reported this year. The DRC has 1 case, but its 2022 total is 111, up from 28 cases in 2021.
Malawi has two circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) cases. These are the first reported in the country; last year one wild-type case was reported.
Sep 21 GPEI update
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/09/news-scan-sep-23-2022
Tips, general reading for public:
Ventilate.
Mask.
Vax.
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Tips/thread for anyone in hospital:
https://twitter.com/michael_hoerger/status/1573910969440292864?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
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New book (I have not seen it):
This — by @gezmedinger & @Daltmann10 — is brilliant and vital! (Also, what a fantastic cover) pic.twitter.com/Z3C4PnfxhQ
— Dan Davis (@dandavis101) September 24, 2022
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to keep up w/ audible, spotify is now selling audiobooks. do NOT buy from either of these brands. there's an app called Libby which is 100% FREE that has thousands of old & brand new audiobooks and all you need is your library card number!
— rio romeo (they/them) (@romeovomit) September 24, 2022
Politics:
Covid:
Here's how Karl Lauterbach, Germany's Federal Health Minister, defended his decision to mandate masks in schools.
— Tom Jackman (@frozen) September 28, 2022
It's quite simple: We don't know the long-term damage to kids from a single covid infection let alone repeated infections, but what we do know isn't encouraging. pic.twitter.com/DhUlOu6N1M
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I keep thinking about this headline.
— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) September 21, 2022
In May 2020 100,000 deaths was an incalculable loss.
Yet we have now lost nearly 400,000 people to COVID in the US over the last year (Sep 2021 to Sep 2022), & "the pandemic is over."
This is what the normalization of mass death looks like. pic.twitter.com/a6mhCavKyw
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“Average COVID-19 mortality per million was 288.54 in countries without face mask policies and 48.40 in countries with face mask policies.” https://t.co/vsvgc6eZ7m
— Matthew Oliver (@sameo416) September 28, 2022
TFG:
NEW: Remember when Trump took a trip to Japan back in 2019 and reports surfaced that the WH requested the move the USS John McCain out of view so it wouldn't upset Trump?
— Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) September 29, 2022
Well, I #FOIA'd the military for docs about this & 3 yrs later they just arrived
"This just makes me sad" pic.twitter.com/GeJwQIn57S
SCOTUS:
Justice Clarence Thomas failed to report nearly $700,000 of his wife's income, checking a box that said "none" on disclosure forms--according to @CommonCause https://t.co/PinjdBI6Yt
— Michele Goodwin (@michelebgoodwin) September 27, 2022
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NEW: Justice Amy Coney Barrett withheld her husband's work from an ethics disclosure.
— Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) September 29, 2022
GOP:
2010: Billionaires spent $31 million on elections
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) September 23, 2022
2020: Billionaires spent $1.2 billion on elections
How can they get away with this?
Two words: Citizens United.
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BREAKING: Rep. Liz Cheney will campaign against Republican election deniers in Arizona and Pennsylvania.
— Billy Baldwin (@BillyBaldwin) September 26, 2022
Who else stands with Liz Cheney in her quest to UNSEAT election deniers!
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Quite a bummer, huh? pic.twitter.com/8XbUhpIWxS
— just Lori (@allogovnah) September 26, 2022
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https://twitter.com/InvWesBurns/status/1575685221323784194?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
Veterans:
49 Republicans Who Voted Against Food Security Help for Veterans democraticunderground.com/10142975961
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Matt Gaetz has said he wants to abolish the VA. I live in his district, which consists of thousands of active duty servicemen and veterans. Why would he come out against our military and against his own constituents?
— UnicornHerder ☮️ (@SheReadsMore) September 30, 2022
Guns/Mental health:
205 Republicans vote against School-Based Mental Health Services pic.twitter.com/WjeooaL7za
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 29, 2022
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JUST IN: — Survivors of the mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July Parade have sued Smith & Wesson, online gun distributor Bud’s Gun Shop, Illinois gun retailer Red Dot Arms, the shooter, and the shooter’s father.
— Nick Penzenstadler (@npenzenstadler) September 28, 2022
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Did you know? When Bill Clinton banned assault weapons in 1994, mass shootings dropped by 43%. After George W. Bush and the GOP let the assault weapons ban expire in 2004, mass shootings increased by 245%. — These numbers tell a story.
— Andrea Junker (@Strandjunker) September 25, 2022
Race:
Lizzo, a Black female superstar, collaborating with Carla Hayden, the first African American and first woman Librarian of Congress, to use a flute from James Madison, the Founding Father who originated the 3/5 Compromise and also the Library of Congress itself? The symbolism!!! https://t.co/n5AQsjJwKH
— Tiffany C. Li (@tiffanycli) September 28, 2022
Banks:
Several weeks ago, I learned that @Citibank locks some customers out of their accounts and refuses to release their money even if they show up with ID.
— Will Saletan (@saletan) September 27, 2022
This week, @Citi sent an email explicitly affirming its right to do this "without cause."
Your money is not safe at @Citi. 1/8
Gas companies:
Chevron just got the shit trolled out of them pic.twitter.com/IDWVgNPBTh
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) September 29, 2022
The Chevron ad is also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/S2XTGteritE
Bannon/Hilton
Hey @HiltonHotels is this now your brand? https://t.co/v06XW06vHI
— Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat) September 29, 2022
Abortion/elections:
https://twitter.com/stevesgirl56/status/1573772087415685121?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
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University of Idaho employees were warned Friday that they could be charged with a felony for talking about abortion, because of the state’s new abortion law.
— Caroline Kitchener (@CAKitchener) September 26, 2022
They were also told *they could no longer provide birth control.*
Not just Plan B, but regular birth control. pic.twitter.com/qHJoDRzMc2
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On Friday afternoon, all University of Idaho employees were informed that any discussion about abortion or birth control that was not completely neutral could result in immediate dismissal, a permanent ban from working for the State of Idaho, a felony charge and fines.
— idahoprisonproject (@IDprisonproject) September 26, 2022
Entire email text at https://t.co/82585p0p90
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Telemedicine abortions just got more complicated for health providers https://t.co/1uwMUcpvBC #AbortionIsHealthcare
— (((Melissa L))) (@Agent99XXX) September 26, 2022
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jewish law requires an abortion if the fetus is threatening the mother’s life. “religious freedom” in america only ever applies to the white christian masses.
— seeking 2 gnomes (((bex, they/them))) (@IBexWeBex) June 24, 2022
Books:
I woke up this morning to a news alert that our @GirlsWhoCode middle-grade book series was banned by some school districts as part of the Mom for Liberty effort to ban books. To be honest, I am so angry I cannot breathe.https://t.co/5rBJkcGQDV
— reshmasaujani (@reshmasaujani) September 24, 2022
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https://twitter.com/Curllyq124/status/1574152179057045505?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
Cannabis:
I hate this!! It’s DANGEROUS for a #Cannabis patient to receive a gun license?? What? But alcohol & prescription drug abusers are ok!?!? Please! I hope legal states don’t follow this! #CannabisCommunity #Mmemberville #Guns https://t.co/Rb7a9guooR
— David Dinenberg (@daviddinenberg) September 23, 2022
Climate change/Environment:
The Arctic Ocean photographed in the same place 105 years ago vs. today. pic.twitter.com/ylZkrqOms4
— Riley/A Dog's Life (@adogslifeTO) September 24, 2022
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https://twitter.com/theslowfactory/status/1575453448178470914?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
LGBT:
The @gendermapper account on Twitter was banned but the map continues on in the Google Maps API. The intent is to centralize the location of LGBTQ institutions and clinics to enable harassment or worse.
— Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) September 25, 2022
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Essential read on school laptop monitoring software (Gaggle, etc) + its weaponization as health surveillance - targeting trans kids seeking gender affirming care + post-Dobbs reproductive health care @lapiaenrose https://t.co/6KxBZspDmj via @wired
— Meaghan Charlton (@MeaghElizabeth) September 30, 2022
Churches:
There are currently 33 states in America that exempt churches from reporting child abuse. We have laws requiring teachers, doctors, therapists, etc. to report child abuse - but the clergy doesn't have to.
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) September 29, 2022
Where's the bipartisan effort to fix this?
Immigrants/Asylum seekers:
No immigrant has taken your job. You were laid off by a capitalist who required cheap labor and took advantage of that immigrant to increase his profits, and nothing makes him happier than to hear you blame the immigrant and not him.
— Mohamad Safa (@mhdksafa) September 29, 2022
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The day before the gov's speech, FL paid a politically connected aviation co $615K under a "relocation program for unauthorized aliens." And a mysterious woman named Perla was already recruiting migrants outside a San Antonio shelter with McDonald's gift cards and big promises.
— Beth Reinhard (@bethreinhard) September 25, 2022
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Money that could have been spent on helping people not hurting them https://t.co/dT9fgRRCFH
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) September 19, 2022
Student loans:
Don’t forget, Tom Brady received a $1,000,000 PPP loan after he bought a $6,000,000 boat. But my student loan forgiveness is a problem.
— KrsaMae (@Tita_Mae23) September 25, 2022
Arizona:
Welcome to AZ. Today a pharmacist denied the MTX refill for my adolescent patient. She's on 5 mg/wk to prevent AHCA Ab production. MTX denied purely because she's a female, barely a teenager. Livid! No discussion, just a denial. Now to fight for what's best for this pt.
— Deborah Jane Power (@bonespower) September 27, 2022
California:
Gov. Newsom has signed #AB2183.
— United Farm Workers (@UFWupdates) September 28, 2022
Sí, se puede. pic.twitter.com/ysNlVLrl0p
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California governor signs bill offering legal refuge to #transgender youths https://t.co/vJwygfUk8w via @nbcnews
— Judy Stone (@DrJudyStone) September 30, 2022
Florida/DeSantis:
Florida’s claim in this case — that curricula and instruction at public universities are “government speech” — is not only anathema to basic principles of academic freedom; if it’s accepted, it would have massive (negative) implications for *all* public universities nationwide. https://t.co/2EfeOkMEnb
— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) September 26, 2022
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Hey Florida, I wanted you to know that Gov Murphy of NJ had 135 National Guard troops ready to help in your state and your Gov DeSantis DECLINED. Is that in your best interests? Red states can help, blue states, no? If you weren't aware, this is how petty he is. At your expense.
— BJ Nelson (@Bevin802) October 1, 2022
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Yes, Ron DeSantis voted against relief funds for Hurricane Sandy as a freshman congressman, but at the same time he sought & received funds from Koch Bros for his own political career. So he votes against aid while raking in $$$ from oil & gas industry that causes Climate Change.
— NoelCaslerComedy (@caslernoel) September 28, 2022
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It costs approximately $1,200 for someone to evacuate a massive hurricane like Ian.
— Sawyer Hackett (@SawyerHackett) September 28, 2022
So with the $12 million in taxpayer funds Gov. DeSantis spent exploiting refugees, he could have covered those costs for 10,000 Floridians.
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Ron DeSantis appointed a guy who wore a KKK robe to a party to be the commissioner of Florida’s only predominantly Black county.
— Jack Cocchiarella (@JDCocchiarella) September 28, 2022
Worst Governor in America.
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$1.5 billion paid by this Russian sympathizer! Only a couple of weeks ago, Vertol stated on their website that they were the only American civil company using Russian helicopters. They paid over $48 million dollars to banned Russian company for transgressions to Ukraine.
— Lynne Doueck (@doueck_lynne) September 24, 2022
Pennsylvania:
Wow. NBC obtained a 2019 interview with Republican nominee for Pennsylvania governor Doug Mastriano.
— Sawyer Hackett (@SawyerHackett) September 27, 2022
Q: Are you saying that a woman who decided to have an abortion [under your proposed bill] should be charged with murder?
A: “Yes, I am.” https://t.co/ffuPrzoWiR pic.twitter.com/78HEuxX8cJ
Texas:
If you think it's crazy that there won't be any voters in the audience for tonight's debate, just wait until you hear that it's taking place in a theater that seats 1,000 people.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 30, 2022
It'll be empty—no seats filled—because Abbott refuses to face those he's failed these last 8 years. pic.twitter.com/1Ri0tKUJ5L
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My thoughts are with the people of Florida. Hopefully they will get the FEMA relief they need. In TX, Greg Abbott refused to distribute funds to the blue areas that were hit in TX after Harvey and the money still has not been distributed. #Florida
— Sara Spector (@Miriam2626) September 29, 2022
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton fled his home Monday in a truck driven by his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, to avoid being served a subpoena, according to an affidavit filed in federal court. https://t.co/kViB6HjYKE
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) September 27, 2022
Utah:
Turns out the policies are actually worse. Only sterilization is offered after 5 children, still no birth control. Follow @dmba_stories on Instagram for real stories of families navigating healthcare.
— Julia S (@juliasasine) September 27, 2022
Italy:
Mussolini enjoyed publicly referring to Jewish people as “financial speculators” who needed to be controlled.
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) September 26, 2022
Iran:
My Iranian Classmate helped me with the info on source of the artwork:
— Leena Manimekalai (@LeenaManimekali) September 22, 2022
- Edith Dekyndt, Ombre Indigene Part 2, Ile de la Martinique
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*Should have tweeted "art being created on Iran." Appreciate those who tagged the artist, Marco Melgrati @Melgratillustr.
— Dr. Shiva Balaghi (@SBalaghi) September 30, 2022
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Iranian women — no Hijab — sing the Farsi version of Bella Ciao, the anti-fascist anthem of the Italian resistance during WW II pic.twitter.com/FZXfszMRf1
— Frida Ghitis (@FridaGhitis) September 28, 2022
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Feel good du jour:
Neat threadSmall, innocuous storefront with poetic name: CHECK.
— Melissa Caruso (@melisscaru) September 27, 2022
(Spoiler: It's bigger on the inside) pic.twitter.com/5Ymo92lfUs
Bookstores mentioned in the thread are mapped at https://t.co/WZe27pS80s
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In 1995, 14 wolves were released in Yellowstone National Park. No one expected the miracle that the wolves would bring
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) September 24, 2022
[video, HD: https://t.co/rsjS56xnQ8]
[read more: https://t.co/p3YBOBXyyF]pic.twitter.com/DMlMDx40TY
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This variety of orchids (Dracula Simia) look amazingly like little baby monkeys. They are indigenous to Southeastern Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/9Jv3xsm7Dq
— Lakota Man (@LakotaMan1) September 20, 2022
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This charity invented a shoe that can grow up to five sizes, helping to stop children in developing countries walking barefoot. pic.twitter.com/EgCrHgcSzI
— How Things Are Manufactured (@fastworkers6) September 26, 2022
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A pilot on @Delta flight 854 just made the coolest announcement— “none of us know what the others here are going through” and “maybe for the next 1 hour and 26 minutes we can all just be nice to each other.”
— A.S. King ☂️ (@AS_King) September 16, 2022
Props, compassionate pilot-dude. Props.
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https://twitter.com/Goodable/status/1573846384058433537?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
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https://twitter.com/AlisonFisk/status/1574324120635863040?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
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https://twitter.com/TansuYegen/status/1574443753988931585?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
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Not everything has to be sarcasm and anger and bitterness. Just enjoy.
— SnarkTank™ (@SnarkkTank) September 27, 2022
❤️#ChooseKindness pic.twitter.com/8M7aybkxhl
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Today after I left a classroom, a kindergartener chased me down the hall, saying, "You forgot something!" As a traveling teacher, I do forget things sometimes, so I stopped and turned around.
— Caitlin Driscoll (@TeacherOnTopic) September 28, 2022
Kindergartener ran up, gave me a hug, said, "There you go!" and ran back to his room.
Comic relief:
In six words or fewer, write a short story about this photo...#amwriting #sixwordstory pic.twitter.com/HUW9xZjinm
— Lacey London (@thelaceylondon) September 25, 2022
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https://twitter.com/buitengebieden/status/1574075372857364480?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
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the bucket they all used to cuddle in is getting a little small now
— theworldofdog (@theworldofdog) September 28, 2022
(jukin media) pic.twitter.com/aEQQDclK8o
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https://twitter.com/DannyDeraney/status/1574498380352393216?s=20&t=4pLJmevlOisJgk_z0NQmSg
Perspective/Poem
Earlier @JamwalNidhi mentioned Paper Boats by Rabindranath Tagore; so, I read the poem which is lovely.#EveryNightAPoem
— Madhusree⚕️ Singh, MD (@thinkalot) September 21, 2022
Good night & sweet dreamshttps://t.co/ac7FlXzdJE
Bits of beauty:
