Lauralee Dukeshire (she/her) @LauraleeDukeshire@qoto.org

The era of independent central banks should be over https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2023/07/03/the-era-of-independent-central-banks-should-be-over/. Unsurprisingly, if you use the wrong tool and target it on the wrong people, and do both these things to target a type of inflation that you are not suffering from then the policy does not work. That is what is happening in the UK. And that’s why independent central banking has failed, and needs to go.

¹And Moses said, "Thus sayeth the Lord: ²You shall not oppress the stranger, for you were strangers once yourself in Egypt." ³And the people grew angry, and said ⁴"O Lord! Why are You teaching us critical race theory?"

Russia uses Twitter to attack democracy | The Kingston Whig Standard
https://thewhig.com/opinion/russia-uses-twitter-to-attack-democracy

It is now painfully clear that no local government, state or federal agency, or other civic institution should be using Twitter for any purpose other than directing people to alternative platforms.

Using the platform for anything other than a last ditch backup for any kind of emergency communication is clearly a disaster waiting to happen.

#bloomscrolling this dark sunflower! It popped up with my others and it really stands out.

Most people didn’t care when they came for trans people

“Doesn’t effect me”

Almost half of people didn’t care when they overturned Roe

“Doesn’t effect me”

Now they’re coming for birth control.

So where is the line? When will it finally effect enough people so they stand up?

There seems to be a lot of misconceptions about how to set up Mastodon.

1. You do not have to sacrifice a duck. Any waterfowl will do.

2. The bit about dancing around naked in a forest glade? While dancing is fun, you may just walk.

3. When the demon appears, you needn’t chant in Latin. It is fluent in all languages.

The rest of the guide is correct.

N.B. If while searching for the glade you come to a boiling river of blood, you have gone too far.
1/11

In ~2014, my colleague & I argued that social media (esp. Twitter) had become part of the critical infrastructure of disaster response. People were turning to Twitter during crises to share information about impacts and resources. Disaster responders were using the data shared there for situational awareness, and were communicating in real-time with their constituents. Today’s events underscore just how dangerous it is for society to come to rely on private platforms as critical infrastructure.

I just watched the 2019 HBO miniseries "Chernobyl". What an amazing project, with terrific writing, stellar performances & impressive visuals.

However, what struck me the most was the parallels to Covid- the politicization of a disaster, government lies & attempts to underplay its gravity, burying facts & silencing scientists who sought the truth.

The following scene really hit home:

#Covid #COVID19 #SarsCov2 #Chernobyl

I think this is my first time being on the other side of a #TwitterMigration. It's pretty cool! For all the new folks here making an #introduction for those concerned about not being able to find POC, I strongly recommend starting by following hashtags and using those to follow people who use/are associated with them. I did that and found a really active, engaged, diverse, and vibrant Black community here. Use the following hashtags in particular:

#BlackFedi #BlackMastodon #BlackTwitter #BlackFriday (I joined last November when this hashtag was created).

There are other hashtags associated with other communities - our Indigenous siblings use #Indigenous and maybe #NDN, not sure. And every once in a while, someone will tweet a bunch of good accounts to follow. Personally, I could do with more #french #francais or #spanish #espanol content, but that's kind of on me.

Welcome!

🚨I’m bedbound and my current bed is long past due to be replaced. It offers no support, sages, springs dig into me and is now causing physical harm to my body. We desperately need to replace it but mattresses and frames are expensive- especially when it comes to one that’s meant for all-day use and pressure relief.

Please help me get a new bed so I can safely rest. #mutualaid #MutualAidRequest #LongCOVID #mecfs #disability

https://gofund.me/da6a11c3

Where is the black people on mastodon?

#blackmastodon
#blacknerds
#BlackFedi
#blackfediverse
#blerds

Omicron was not mild. It was less deadly on a per-infection basis thanks to (partial, temporary) immunity due to vaccinations and prior infections. "Omicron" variants have killed more Canadians than any other variant.

https://academic.oup.com/jid/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/infdis/jiad236/7208626?login=false&s=09

London, Ont., Canada researchers find better understanding of long COVID through study of plasma proteins - Global News
https://apple.news/AEK2RWo5LSAWHZu0xN5ilIw

Onesimus, a Boston enslaved man saved hundreds of people from the horrors of smallpox in 1721. His contributions to science reverberate to this day b/c his knowledge led to what became the 1st vaccine-related study in America. Onesimus’s story illustrates the degree to which reputable men of science de­pended on the testimony & experience of Africans in dealing with a dreaded disease.

1/15

#StillWeRise #Medicine #BlackHistory
#BlackMastodon
#Histodons #History

@blackmastodon@a.gup.pe @BlackMastodon@chirp.social

Surprise! (not surprised)

"About 18% of those with Long COVID have not returned to work for over a year. The CDC says it's "hurting the U.S. economy.""

https://tech.co/news/cdc-research-long-covid-labor-shortage

🧵

I loathe the fact that we've been abandoned by our leaders and public health institutions and have been left to our own devices to navigate the ongoing pandemic. It should not be like this, it only exacerbates deep inequities, and it makes us weaker as a society.

We need to keep pushing for systemic change and real action to make spaces safer and more inclusive, but as it stands we are being given no choice but to make difficult choices.

1/

That time when a white supremacist—who was a J6 fugitive—went to former president Obama’s home while loaded up with guns and ammunition

…and police didn’t roll up and open fire on him like he was a black child playing outside

Tell me again how there’s no white privilege.