augieray

augieray , 2 days ago to random

Glenn Close encouraged her followers to “wear a mask in crowds” after getting hit with #COVID19 and RSV simultaneously. It caused her to delay filming her part in the new Knives Out sequel.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/glenn-close-hit-hard-with-covid-and-rsv-at-same-time-forced-to-delay-filming-knives-out-3-1.6933177

augieray , 5 days ago to random

People's perceptions can be funny and disappointing. I was once asked which of the cities that I lived in I missed the most. Easy: New York. The person told me how shocked they were since New York was so violent, unlike their safe Nashville. That night, I looked at crime data, and the per-capita violent crime rate in Nashville was double that in NYC. People choose to live in information bubbles, but I think it's important to challenge your assumptions every now and then.

augieray , 5 days ago to random

On Twitter, the right-wing bots and trolls are terrible. On Mastodon, the leftist purity tests and attacks are awful and may yet drive me off the platform.

If you think attacking people on your side of issues for not being supportive enough is a smart tactic, can I recommend taking a social media break?

We're all doing our best to balance many conflicting life priorities. No one is perfect. Not you; not me. Save your ire for the uninformed and hurtful, not people who want what you do!

augieray , 5 days ago to random

I wish people would read more about Long COVID. People think it's rare; it's not. Or they think the healthy and the young can't get it; they can.

"I want people to know that I'm not lying, [long COVID] is real and can happen to anyone. I want people to know I'm not just trying to get out of doing school or sport — I wish I could do sport … I wish they understood I am just trying to save myself from being stuck in bed in pain for days afterwards."

• 12-year-old girl

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-16/children-with-long-covid-dismissed-doctors-myth-virus-harmless/103959078

augieray , 6 days ago to random

"Most people have had #COVID19 three and a half times on average already. After another four years of the same pattern, if we don’t change course, most people in the U.S. will have some flavor of Long COVID of one sort or another."

• Dr. Phillip Alvelda, a former program manager in DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office and founder of Medio Labs

https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/blog/debilitating-a-generation-expert-warns-that-long-covid-may-eventually-affect-most-americans

augieray , 7 days ago to random

Penzeys Spices is a politically-active Milwaukee brand. This is the billboard it put up just outside the Milwaukee airport. Arriving GOP RNC attendees will see this as they make their way to the RNC site. Welcome to #Milwaukee! #VoteBlue

augieray , 7 days ago to random

US Supreme Court just overturned the ban on bump stocks, which allow semi-automatic AR-15-style rifles to fire automatically, like a machine gun. Yet the Supreme Court declared that they do not create a "machinegun."

This decision is brought to you buy a SCOTUS stacked with right-wing idealists who ignore the law. Your vote in November matters for every SCOTUS decision for a generation. I don't care that you think of Biden--SCOTUS matters!

Every election. Every race. Every Democrat. #VoteBlue

augieray , 8 days ago to random

What in the hell is with this headline from The Verge?! This is sexual harassment. It isn't "unusual"--it's illegal and creepy.

#ElonMusk has unusual relationships with women at SpaceX, WSJ reports

Elon Musk allegedly had sex with a former intern and an employee. He asked a third woman to have his babies. She refused, and Musk denied her a raise and complained about her performance.

Our media is broken. It doesn't know how to cover people like Trump and Musk.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/12/24176705/spacex-elon-musk-gwynne-shotwell-sexual-relationships

augieray , 9 days ago to random

What repeated #COVID19 infections are doing to us:

On the left is data from the UK showing the number of people economically inactive due to long-term sickness. It fell for two decades and has exploded to record levels since the pandemic.

On the right is the US civilian labor force with a disability. It stayed steady for two decades and has exploded to record levels since the pandemic.

Both are at their record highs, and both still trend up. We're done with COVID, but it's not done with us.

US Civilian Labor Force With a Disability, 16 Years and over: It remained steady for decades, then in 2021 it exploded from around 6 million people to 8.5 million.

augieray , 9 days ago to random

Do I need to fear for my life because some of you refuse to vote for Biden? Trump is talking about prosecuting opponents; Bill Barr said Trump often spoke of executing rivals, and some of Trump's advisors talk of executing journalists.

I'm an old(or), white man fighting for the rights of women, people of color and the LGBTQ community. I'm vocal. If Trump wins, is my freedom or life in danger?

You are free to be upset at Biden over his policies, but PLEASE don't ignore what this election means.

augieray , 10 days ago to random

Hunter Biden is a convicted felon. That settles it--I won't vote for him for president. (See how easy that is, Trumpsters?)

Other observations:

Hunter Biden is facing more consequences for buying a gun than Kyle Rittenhouse has for using one to kill two people.

President Biden hasn't whined about how badly his family is treated, insulted judges, or tried to dox jurors.

The differences are profound. Make sure you vote in November!

Every election. Every race. Every Democrat. #VoteBlue

augieray , 11 days ago to random

I mean, he'll probably just do some legal magic and transfer ownership to some entity he controls or a family member, but it's HILARIOUS that Trump's three golf course could lose their liquor license because he's a felon. Republicans want to elect a man for president that the state of New Jersey won't trust with a liquor license. 🤣

https://www.nj.com/politics/2024/06/convicted-felon-donald-trumps-liquor-licenses-woes.html

augieray , 12 days ago to random

Some #COVID19 concerned people: "I can't vote for Biden because he's been a terrible pandemic leader." I get it, but if you care about vaccines and public health, you'll keep Trump out of office.

What can Trump do about vaccines? More than you might think.
His new anti-vaccine persona could have far-reaching consequences if he’s elected to a second stint as president with far-reaching administrative powers.

Every election. Every race. Every Democrat. #VoteBlue

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/09/trump-anti-vaccine-mandates-00162360

augieray , 12 days ago to random

People have been sold the idea #COVID19 only affects those who are old, sick and weak. That's wrong.

STUDY: "In this population of healthy young adult US Marines with mostly either asymptomatic or mild acute COVID-19, one fourth reported physical, cognitive, or psychiatric long-term sequelae of infection. The Marines affected with PASC showed evidence of long-term decrease in functional performance."

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4854879

augieray , 12 days ago to random

In the 13 months since the US ended the #COVID19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023, more Americans have been killed by COVID than died in the eight years of the Vietnam War (which was the US's fourth most deadly war following the Civil War, WW1 and WW2).

COVID deaths since May 11, 2023: 61,070

US deaths in Vietnam from 1965 to 1973: 58,281

augieray , 13 days ago to random

Is this one of those "good guys with a gun?" An armed off-duty security guard thought three teens were going to rob a store. They weren't; they were returning a BB gun. Now one of the teens is dead because the wannabe hero shot one of the kids and "stood over the teen on the ground and continued to fire." Big man hero is in jail on charges of for second-degree murder. If he hadn't been armed, he would've dialed 911, he'd be free, and the kid would be alive.
https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/teen-shot-renton-big-5-sporting-goods

augieray , 13 days ago to random

Great interview:

I should point out that there are, in fact, places that have installed all of these: fresh air, filtering, and germicidal UV lights. Do you know where they are?

Where?

PA: The White House, Congress, Number 10 Downing, Parliament, the Reichstag, and WHO. All of our leaders have these protections and procedures in place.

But not our schoolchildren.

The school where former CDC director Rochelle Walensky’s children go, they have these upgrades. #COVID19

https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/blog/from-long-covid-odds-to-lost-iq-points-ongoing-threats-you-dont-know-about

augieray , 13 days ago to random

GOP this week:

Trump said it is “very possible” he will jail political opponents
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-says-very-possible-imprison-political-opponents-presidential-election-1908314

Republicans booed US Capitol Officers as they were introduced in Pennsylvania
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/republicans-pennsylvania-january-six-capitol-b2558211.html

The GOP blocked a bill that would protect women's access to birth control
https://time.com/6986105/republicans-block-bill-to-protect-contraception-access/

Republicans are advancing a proposal to restrict funds to criminally prosecute "a former or current president”
https://www.newsweek.com/new-republican-proposal-aim-jack-smith-1907723

Every election. Every race. Every Democrat. #VoteBlue

augieray , 14 days ago to random

"The pandemic ends when infections end, not when your attention span ends."

• Arturo Portnoy, Professor of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez

#COVID19

augieray , 15 days ago to random

Some months ago I noted Taylor Swift took precautions while on tour, such as avoiding fan interactions, so she could avoid #COVID19. Meanwhile, she's fine if fans crowd pack together screaming and singing in her audiences. I got a crap from Swifties. (BTW, I'm a fan, too.)

NEWS: Taylor Swift spreads Covid: thousand of fans fall ill after Madrid and Paris concerts

https://www.elnacional.cat/en/news/taylor-swift-spreads-covid-fans-ill-madrid-paris-concerts_1230525_102.html

Fans can make their own decisions, but it seems like some people are worth protecting and others not.

augieray , 15 days ago to random

80 years ago today, 2,501 Americans died at Normandy to protect lives and democracy.

Some were black, knowing they would return to a racist US.

Some were gay, knowing they could be court-martialed for who they were.

They fought anyway for what was best and right.

I don't care what you think of Biden. A world with Trump in the White House will be a disaster. In 151 days, you can do what is best and right without risking your life.

Every election. Every race. Every Democrat. #VoteBlue #DDay

augieray , 16 days ago to random

Imagine the CEO of your company shifting vital resources away from the company and towards his own private company as the stock declines 30% in five months. (1/3)

Personally, I don't understand how people like #elonmusk can avoid accountability so effectively.

https://futurism.com/the-byte/leaked-emails-elon-musk-ai-resources-tesla

augieray , 18 days ago to random

“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote.”

• George Jean Nathan, magazine editor and drama critic

augieray , 18 days ago to random

Hospitals are killing patients because they don't feel like doing infection control

Unfortunately, true. #COVID19

https://www.thegauntlet.news/p/hospitals-are-killing-patients-because?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

augieray , 18 days ago to random

People post about the woes of our 2-party democracy in the US as if there's an obvious solution. The same things people gripe about in the US are present in nations with more political parties. Example: Israel has a dozen parties, but in order to rule, they form coalitions--which end up looking much like our two-party system. Small parties don't get power--they end up caving to have influence in a coalition government. Stop griping and get active in voting and influencing policy.

augieray , 18 days ago to random

I try to be very objective and, when possible, directly quote the research I share. Here's an example of the opposite. This guy screams "breaking news" about myocarditis and pericarditis "only" in vaccinated children. What he doesn't share:

STUDY found #COVID19 vaccination reduced hospitalizations by ~40%.

Myocarditis and pericarditis were documented only in the vaccinated groups with rates of 27 and 10 cases PER MILLION after 1st and 2nd doses.

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.05.20.24306810v1

augieray , 19 days ago to random

Some people watching MAGA brownshirts goosestepping through cities to attack people of color, LGBTQ communities, journalists, and Democrats in 2025:

"I mean, sure, that's bad, but at least I didn't vote for Joe Biden. That's his fault for not being <fill in the blank> enough. Why couldn't the Dems nominate someone I thought was perfect?"

augieray , 19 days ago to random

Top Republicans now realize they may have to nominate a man behind bars, CBS reports.

(As opposed to realizing they nominated a man who SHOULD BE behind bars.)

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/06/trump-jail-house-arrest-felony-trial-rnc-nomina/

augieray , 19 days ago to random

"I can choose between untreated cancer or chemo. But chemo isn't good enough, so I'm not going to make a decision. Me letting cancer kill me will make a point to chemo!"

• What people saying that can't vote for Biden sound like

augieray , 19 days ago to random

People can tell themselves whatever lie they want about not voting for Biden. It still amounts to a lack of maturity in thinking opting out sends a message, of empathy for those who will suffer under Trump, and of logic for the stakes in 2024.

Read about Project 2025 and decide if you want to vote to unleash that on the nation and world. Because not voting is still a vote--a vote that says the world can burn unless you get everything you want. Decide which side you're on. #VoteBlue

augieray , 20 days ago to random

“Not voting is not a protest. It is a surrender.”

• Keith Ellison, attorney general of Minnesota

augieray , 20 days ago to random

Trump says his fraud trial was rigged.
He said the 2020 presidential election was rigged.
Three weeks ago, he claimed the government's strong employment data was rigged.
In March, he said the polls are all rigged.
Earlier this year, he said the committee tasked with investigating January 6 was rigged.
In 2022, he said the press was rigged.
In 2020, he said the debates were rigged.
In 2019, he said his first impeachment hearings were rigged.

(1/2)

augieray , 20 days ago to random

If you follow me, none of this will be new, but here is my longer weekly update on #COVID19:

Current COVID-19 Risks, Data, and Studies as of June 1, 2024

https://medium.com/@augieray_66704/current-covid-19-risks-data-and-studies-as-of-june-1-2024-f56040e56115

augieray , 20 days ago to random

Second STUDY today on #COVID19 and men's reproductive health:

"Serum levels of sex hormones (testosterone, FSH, and prolactin) in the COVID-19 group were significantly decreased compared to the healthy group. Microscopic examination of semen revealed significant differences in vitality, progressive, and motile parameters among the three groups, with a decrease observed in the COVID-19 group."

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2052297524002166?via%3Dihub

augieray , 20 days ago to random

STUDY finds #COVID9 raises kids' risks of new psychiatric diagnoses, raising the risk 6x for children and 4.2x for adolescents. “Elevated HRs were observed for almost all sub-categories of mental disorders and suicidal behaviors. COVID-19 was similar to other respiratory infections in increasing the rate of mental disorders in adolescents but had a significantly higher effect on children.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0890856724002636

augieray , 20 days ago to random

I worry about the impact of repeated #COVID19 infections and watch for studies. Here's a new, concerning STUDY:

"Individuals with multiple COVID-19 infections showed a significant increase in general (β=1.79), cardiovascular (β=0.61), and neuropsychological symptoms (β=2.18), and higher total distress scores (β=6.35)."

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034124001990

augieray , 20 days ago to random

For the “Just the flu” crowd: STUDY tracked healthcare workers from 11/22 to 5/23 and found those with #COVID19 had 61% more days of absence, and since COVID was more common than the flu, lost days were 12.7x greater for COVID than flu.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0196655324005297

augieray , 20 days ago to random

STUDY: finds men with Long COVID have a 39% higher risk of erectile dysfunction compared to those who only had acute #COVID19: "Men with long COVID were more likely to develop ED or be prescribed PDE5i (3.63%) when compared to men with only acute COVID infections (2.61%) [RR 1.39; 95% CI 1.04, 1.87]."

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-024-00913-7

augieray , 20 days ago to random

STUDY of long-term pain in a cohort of individuals initially diagnosed with mild-to-moderate #COVID19: “Our study revealed that 31.9% of participants experienced at least one persistent pain symptom after 1.5 years. Headache emerged as the most prevalent symptom (29.8%), followed by myalgia (5.8%) and neuropathic pain (4.2%).” https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10072-024-07620-7

augieray , 21 days ago to random

If Republicans are going to accuse Biden of weaponizing the Justice system, then:

1. They better damn well have better evidence than an independent grand jury indicted Trump, Trump got a fair trial, and an independent jury found him guilty on all charges, and

2. They better damn well reject the Project 2025 framework and Trump's promises to weaponize the Justice system.

Every accusation is a confession for the GOP.

augieray , 21 days ago to random

A vote isn't an endorsement of all of a candidate's policies. It's a choice you make between available options--all of which may be disappointing--to move the world in the direction you want.

Voting isn't choosing a life partner to love. It's more like choosing between cancer or chemo, and we should be happy chemo is our alternative.

It's time to cure our nation, and no matter what you think of Biden, don't help cancer win!

Every election. Every race. Every Democrat. #VoteBlue

augieray , 21 days ago to random

The GOP is simply reprehensible. I don't understand how any citizen can vote for any GOP candidate. The entire party is claiming the Trump fraud trial was a political hit job. The "law and order" party wants neither. (1/6)