“She says it was like a horror movie. They were screaming in different rooms”

I would argue no one should travel to the U.S. right now because it’s important to vote with your wallet. Don’t spend tourist dollars there

Another reason? The threat of being detained by ICE. It’s not safe in America:

https://www.10news.com/like-a-horror-movie-german-tourist-detained-by-ice-says-she-spent-week-in-solitary-confinement

#uspoli #ice #fascism #authoritarianism #donotcomply #immigration

RFK Jr finally recommends vaccination to deal with the measles outbreak hitting Texas right now.

This is quite the about face for a man who’s been spreading harmful anti-vaxx rhetoric for years.

Just a few days ago he was minimizing the outbreak by saying it was “normal” and recommending vitamin A.

What changed? Not going to lie… my initial thought was “it must be really bad if RFK Jr is pushing the vaccine”

Please folks, get your boosters. Wear a mask. Clean the air. Protect your health & the health of those around you.

https://www.axios.com/2025/03/03/kennedy-jr-measles-outbreak-vaccine

#rfkjr #vaccines #measles #uspoli #hhs #publichealth #texas #wearamask #COVIDisAirborne #covidisnotover #disability

One of the hardest parts of navigating these difficult times is the fact that many of those fighting fascism & impending collapse are turning their back on the disabled.

We saw it years ago. We warned. We pleaded. We asked people to fight back. We asked them to wear a mask.

Now we’re in the thick of it and still being left behind.

Articles about collapse don’t factor us in. Resistance efforts ignore us. Activism isn’t accessible. People still aren’t masking.

Include us in resistance. We have a lot to offer. We were built for fighting back.

#resist #fascism #uspoli #ableism #eugenics #disability #wearamask #disabilityrights

In case anyone remained doubtful that Québécois are equally committed to boycotting the US as other Canadians, here’s a report.

It’s March break in Québec and families are staying in province in large numbers - and half say they have canceled intentions to travel to the United States this year.

A new Léger survey conducted for the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec “also suggests this could result in major losses for the U.S. economy, estimated at approximately $3 billion.”

https://montreal.citynews.ca/2025/02/28/quebecers-cancel-trips-united-states-survey/

#Québec #CdnPoli #CanPoli #USPoli #USpol #WorldPol #BoycottUSA

Watching the British PM stand up for Canada and all I can think about is the Hugh Grant and Billy Bob Thornton scene from Love Actually.
"A friend who bullies us, is no longer a friend. Since bullies only respond to strength, from now onward I will be prepared to be much stronger."

#uspoli #trump #canada #fascism #authoritarianism #donotcomplyinadvance #resist

An unvaccinated child died of measles today, the first such death in almost ten years in the United States.

The FDA just cancelled an advisory meeting to discuss next season’s flu shots, mere days after a CDC vaccine advisory meeting was also cancelled.

RFK Jr is anti vaccine and anti science. His appointment to the head of HHS will have devastating consequences.

If you’re not up to date on your boosters, get them now.

If you’re unsure, talk with your doctor.

No matter what happens, remember that a well fitted mask like an N95 can provide excellent protection against airborne viruses and bacteria.

It’s time to mask up.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-cancels-meeting-select-flu-strains-seasons-shots-rcna193931

#uspoli #hhs #cdc #fda #rfkjr #measles #h5n1 #vaccines #covidisairborne #covidisnotover #n95

The #WhiteHouse not only controls the messaging, but it now also controls who will distribute that message.

What does this mean for #FreedomOfThePress?

#TrumpDictatorship #Freedom #Press #media #journalism #USpoli

For Trump propaganda its also a peek inside his twisted mind https://news.sky.com/story/trump-shares-ai-video-of-gaza-vision-featuring-golden-statues-bearded-belly-dancers-and-netanyahu-on-a-sunbed-13317241 #uspoli #fucktrump #gaza #palestine

Rachel Maddow Rips Own Network After MSNBC Fires Joy Reid #MSNBC #Media #USPolitics #USPol #USPoli https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG2tg6ZjKvA

#airbnb #USPoli

Texas becomes the latest State to propose a mask ban (while in the midst of a measles outbreak that’s currently over 100 cases).

These are ugly laws. They’re discriminatory & push disabled people further out of society. They increase the likelihood of police harassment. They paint maskers as “bad”.

There’s an excellent document with scripts for how to call & fight back! 🧵 1/2

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1704ui-FIcCqF97SX5uVnjP-Xi4A6m4WUXjce2ZonKEI/mobilebasic

#uspoli #maskbans #nomaskbans #uglylaws #infectioncontrol #publichealth #texas #measles #covidisairborne #covidisnotover #ableism #eugenics #disability

If you think mask bans are “no big deal” because there’s medical exemptions, please consider the following:

😷 Police are not doctors
😷 Many disabilities are invisible
😷 Disabled people don’t live in a bubble. I need my friends and caregivers to mask to protect me
😷 Everyone should have the right to protect their health, you shouldn’t have to already be sick to be permitted to mask
😷 Criminalizing masks sends a message that maskers are “bad”. It emboldens anti-maskers and increases odds of aggression

The reality is that mask bans are discriminatory, ableist and eugenicist. They push disabled people out of public spaces. They put marginalized and POC at increased risk of police profiling.

There’s no official policy for a medical exemption either, it’s at police discretion.

If you’re stopped and questioned, you will have to prove you’re masking for the “right reasons”

I’m more than willing to admit that if I were stopped by a cop for masking, I would appear nervous, shaky, tachycardic and probably “suspicious”.

Not because I’m doing anything wrong, but because my illnesses do not respond well to stress and the police are stressful.

It’s not right to put the onus on the masker to defend their right to mask. We’re still in a global pandemic. Texas has a measles outbreak. There’s tuberculosis in Kansas. Bird flu is spreading and it’s the worst year for influenza A in over a decade.

Masks are a public health tool. They’re a disability accommodation. They should NOT be criminalized.

For more on mask bans and medical exemptions, I wrote an article on the Nassau County ban here:

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/nassau-county-ny-makes-masking-illegal

#nomaskban #uspoli #texas #northcarolina #maskban #disability #uglylaws #publichealth #ableism #eugenics #h5n1 #measles #longcovid #covidisairborne

This is impressive cowardice. There's no hope if this is the dem leadership position.

#USpoli

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/2/24/2305887/-Top-Democrat-proves-useless-as-Musk-makes-more-chaotic-demands

“Were they dying from Covid or were they dying from chronic disease?”

Easy. They died from Covid.

This idea that having a chronic disease somehow means that it’s ok that you died, or that you could have prevented your own death, is straight up eugenics.

I’m no less worthy of life than those without chronic illness. My chronic illnesses are not my fault. I can’t cure them with diet and exercise (believe me, I tried).

This is health supremacy and we need to call it out. When this behaviour takes root, the elimination of disabled people isn’t far behind.

We are ALL vulnerable to Covid. Placing blame on the individual and waving away millions of deaths as “oh well they had comorbids” is eroding whatever moral compass our society has left.

Mitigate the threat, and less people will die.

Clean air, better ventilation, mandatory masking in healthcare, isolating when sick, free and updated COVID tests and public health education on masks.

It’s time to save lives.

#covidisairborne #CovidIsNotOver #SARSCoV2 #longcovid #chronicillness #wearamask #disability #ableism #eugenics #fascism #rfkjr #uspoli

Via #PekkaKallioniemi @ 3:00am ET on Feb 22, 2025

First, take over the #media, replace officials and #judges with #loyalists, silence the opposition, and then take over the #military.

I've never seen a country slide into #authoritarianism this quickly before.

#Trump #USpoli #Coup

If you want to fight fascism? Wear a mask.

If you want to show solidarity with disabled people? Wear a mask.

If you want to protect your own health? Wear a mask.

If you recognize that no one is coming to save us? Wear a mask.

My ultimate guide to respirators looks at the early days of mask mandates, the rise of antimaskers, how to up your mask game for the ultimate personal protection and why we need to “fix our hearts or die”

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/were-witnessing-the-fall-of-public

#covidisairborne #covidisnotover #wearamask #n95 #uspoli #fascism #chronicillness #longcovid #h5n1 #publichealth #disability #ableism

As more States propose mask bans, I want to take a moment to discuss claims that it’s “fear mongering” to say that masking is illegal.

People claim the medical exemption is “good enough”.

This ignores three critical points. Public perception, anti mask sentiment and rampant ableism

First things first, mask bans make masking a criminal offence. They make the act of wearing a mask illegal.

Sure there may be medical exemptions, but they’re incredibly problematic.

Lawmakers specifically chose not to exempt medical masks and respirators. The burden is on the wearer

Second, public perception around masking is very different now than it was before Covid.

People are irrationally angry when they see a mask. They’ve been politicized and folks have created an identity in their minds about who a masker is. A liberal. A sheep. Someone who’s anti-freedom.

None of their preconceived notions are based in fact or reality, but they fuel the anger and rage that gets directed at maskers every day.

When you enact a mask ban, you embolden these people. They aren’t reading the bills and considering medical exemptions.

They just hear they’re banned.

As a result they think they can demand you remove your mask. They may call the police on you. They will certainly feel justified in judging and targeting maskers and declaring that they’re doing “something wrong”.

This emboldening creates a dangerous situation that could easily lead to violence

This is why we must discuss anti mask sentiment when talking about mask bans.

Many disabled people masked before covid. I was one of them. The worst I ever got was a strange look or someone moving far away from me on transit

Since mask mandates ended I’ve been coughed on, spit at and yelled at

People view masks as bad and loathe anyone who’s still wearing them.

When you publicly enact a mask ban, you’re telling those people they’re right. That it’s ok to harass people for masking. That it’s wrong to wear a mask and protect your health.

You’re increasing the hostility.

Finally there’s the issue of ableism. Mask bans make public spaces less accessible. Period.

For many of us a good mask is the only reason we can be out in public. If you make it a crime, we risk being stopped by the police and forced to justify our disabilities.

Many of us have a difficult time getting healthcare workers to take us seriously, but we’re supposed to assume law enforcement will believe we’re masking for the right reasons?

That’s a risk we should never be forced to take. The interaction alone would negatively impact our baseline

Lastly… any reason for wearing a mask should be good enough.

We are still in a global pandemic. Millions are dead, even more are disabled. People are still dying every week.

Wearing a mask to protect yourself - whether disabled or not - is a smart and caring choice

The idea that someone should be forced to justify that choice or risk arrest is patently absurd.

Which is why mask bans are wrong.

The best way to fight these bans is to mask up. The more people wearing masks, the harder they will be to ban.

You can also call and email your local lawmakers and tell them you strongly oppose bans which make a medical mask illegal.

Please don’t wait until someone is assaulted or arrested just for wearing a medical device. Help us fight these bans now.

I’ve written extensively about mask bans, if you want a full length piece about why medical exemptions are not the answer, please read my article on Nassau County

Exemptions leave many people behind. They put undue burden on disabled individuals. They increase risk of profiling marginalized people

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/nassau-county-ny-makes-masking-illegal

#uglylaws #maskbans #discrimination #ableism #disability #uspoli #eugenics #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver

Several employees working on bird flu response were “accidentally” fired from the USDA.

This is what happens when you move fast and break things.

The CDC is gagged. The FDA is too. Egg prices have skyrocketed because the U.S. aren’t bothering to try and contain H5N1.

Pandemic prevention or preparedness is not a priority to this administration, and it’s going to cost lives.

Remember that a well fitted respirator and eye protection can help prevent bird flu. It’s time to mask up.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/doge/usda-accidentally-fired-officials-bird-flu-rehire-rcna192716

#uspoli #usda #fda #h5n1 #birdflu #pandemic #censorship #fascism

I see a lot of people saying now is the time to get out of the U.S. if you can.

Please remember most disabled people can’t leave. It’s incredibly difficult to immigrate to another country when you have documented medical issues. Many are also too sick to endure a move.

We must fight for them.

#uspoli #disability #ableism #fascism #eugenics #chronicillness

Now more than ever we need to support and amplify healthcare workers who are trying to get the word out about the state of public health

Support independent journalists who are doing the same.

With the CDC muzzled we don’t have the line of sight we should on outbreaks and threats to the population

What we do have is alot of doctors and nurses sharing serious concerns about how sick their influenza A patients are

We do have a significant egg shortage because of unmitigated bird flu

We do have measles and TB outbreaks.

The good news? A well fitted respirator can protect you from all these things.

It may be our best and last line of protection as it doesn’t depend on government or public health for accessibility.

Mask up and keep yourself and your community safe!

#uspoli #publichealth #resist #censorship #fascism #pandemic #covidisairborne #h5n1 #wearamask

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn9EKC9nqU4

#Macklemore #fuckedup #Palestine #genocide #Israel #Elon #ElonMusk #Trump #Netanyahu #uspoli

Let's turn Nancy Mace's heart into Three-Sizes-Bigger #nancymace #gaza #israel #uspoli #trump #palestine #hezbollah #egypt #middleeast

Trump reiterates the U.S. will take over Gaza and "maybe" give parts to other countries only worsens the Palestinian conflict, an ultimate insult to the Palestinians and the international community https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-says-he-is-committed-us-ownership-gaza-2025-02-09/ #palestine #uspoli #fucktrump

Keep it up USA! 👍 #uspoli #fucktrump

An Australian senator speaking about the US's slide into fascism #uspoli #fucktrump

Tuberculosis outbreaks in Kansas and North Carolina, measles outbreak in Texas and COVID is still everywhere. I’ve not seen a single media outlet mention wearing masks.

In fact masks are banned in North Carolina and Nassau County and more bans are currently on the table.

A good respirator protects from more than just Covid. The people deserve to know how to keep themselves safe.

#uspoli #airborne #publichealth #tuberculosis #covidisairborne #covidisnotover #wearamask #nomaskbans

#uspoli #palestine #fucktrump #nazipotus #israel

Tuberculosis outbreaks in Kansas, North Carolina & Ohio.

CDC aren’t permitted to update the public & people are not being advised of the risk or told to wear a mask.

There’s evidence that COVID causes immune system damage which could lead TB to reactivate.

A respirator prevents both Covid and TB.

Given we’re witnessing the dismantling of what was left of public health, there’s no better time to choose to wear a mask

You will protect yourself and your community. You will show much needed solidarity with vulnerable people who’ve never been able to stop masking.

You send a strong signal to the government that you aren’t willing to leave people behind.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/tuberculosis-outbreak-north-carolina-symptoms-b2692889.html

#tb #tuberculosis #COVIDisAirborne #covidisnotover #cdc #publichealth #uspoli #wearamask #disability

Why is the media treating this as if it's not #illegal? It's #genocide! "The Challenges the U.S. Would Face in Gaza" https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/challenges-us-would-face-gaza/681602/?utm_source=feed #media #journalism #trump #uspoli #Gaza #Palestine #WarCriminals

As a disabled person who relies on multiple medications and supplies that are manufactured or sourced in China… the suspension of USPS packages from China and Hong Kong is deeply disturbing. Even a temporary stoppage could be catastrophic for us.

disabled people are canaries in the coal mine. Anything that will impact non disabled people will often hit us harder and faster.

Include us in resistance & emergency preparedness.

If you have means, consider helping a disabled person stock up on necessary supplies. We often lack the funds to be able to “prep” and yet can’t withstand a shortage the way a healthy person can.

Never forget that good health gives you a degree of resilience … and that resilience is a gift. Don’t waste it. Prepare. Plan. Help others.

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/disabled-people-are-the-canaries

https://www.wired.com/story/tariffs-trump-ecommerce-amazon-temu/

#usps #uspoli #china #hongkong #tariffs #disability #ableism #canaries #prepardness

#uspoli #israel #fucktrump

Now Trump thinks he's going to unilaterally take Gaza and make it into a "Riviera"? Are you freaking kidding me?
#USPoli #Trump #Gaza

OMG, how does it keep getting worse? Where are the US people?!?!!? WTF!!! https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/5/trump-says-us-will-take-over-and-own-gaza-in-redevelopment-plan #uspoli #Palestine #israel #USA #FuckTrump

Can't believe I'm watching this nightmare of a presser - Trump standing next to Netanyahu stating the 'US will own and develop Gaza' 'but it can't be for a people, for people who are terrorists'

Sure, send thousands of US troops to fully ethnically cleanse Gaza so Jared can build his dream of beach front resorts

This is INSANE

#USpoli #USpolitics #Israel #Gaza

Email leaked to Ken Klippenstein telling NOAA employees that their course material can’t contain ANY of the following words in order to remain complaint with Trump’s executive order on DEI.

The party than ran on freedom and speech and avoiding censorship now actively censoring people.

Every word breaks my heart… but I want to pause on the inclusion of “empathy”.

The fact that they can’t use the word empathy is a perfect encapsulation of this whole administration.

#uspoli #noaa #trump #dei #deia #censorship# #fascism #freedomofspeech #inclusion

As Canada and the U.S. enter a trade war after spending decades as friends, neighbours and allies … I want to tell a story about Canadians helping our neighbours to the South.

Years ago I was asked to go to a Canadian college to see a workshop for a musical about 9/11.

I scoffed. A musical about what? How will that work?

I drove out to the campus during a brutal winter snowstorm. I remember cursing that I was having to deal with a late night white knuckle drive for a musical that made absolutely no sense. Who would want to listen to people sing about that unspeakable tragedy?

I should have had more faith. The writers - an incredible Canadian duo called David Hein & Irene Sankoff - made magic at Sheridan College. Their musical wasn’t really about 9/11, it was about the community of Gander, Newfoundland that welcomed stranded planes on that dark day

It was about the Canadian spirit of opening our hearts and homes to those in need… no matter where they come from, what colour, religion, gender or nationality they are. It was about overcoming odds and helping strangers for no other reason than it was the right thing to do

38 planes carrying 6,579 passengers were diverted to Gander on 9/11. To put things in perspective, Gander is a tiny community of less than 10,000 people. They literally doubled in size overnight.

They could have left the people on the planes. They could have refused them and said it was America’s problem. They could have deflected and blamed as is so popular with the current leader of the U.S. They chose to open their arms and welcome everyone.

The community got together and found ways to feed, clothe and house every passenger and animal that were on those planes They put people up in schools and gymnasiums, guest rooms in their homes and more They turned the hockey rink into a giant walk in fridge for all the food

They rounded up bbqs from everyone’s backyard to have big cookouts for all the new guests. Provided every denomination with a place to pray. Made sure that kids had diapers, toys and a feeling of safety. Comforted animals who weren’t allowed off the planes. They stepped up.

For four days, no one from Gander slept or took a break. They were constantly on the go to ensure that every one of their new arrivals felt safe, protected and welcomed. That’s what the musical was about. The camaraderie and love shown during that unprecedented time

Its name? Come from Away.

It would go on to be a Tony Award winning Broadway musical with successful productions all over the Globe. Its message of kindness, inclusion and hope inspired people to be more welcoming of those who are different than them

It was one of the greatest honours of my life to be one of the first journalists to write about that extraordinary musical. To be able to meet many of the people from Gander and from the planes who allowed their stories to be told.

I’ve always loved being a Canadian, but sitting in that small theatre on a snowy winters night … I was overwhelmed with pride & hope for our future The people of Gander showed us what it truly means to be a neighbour, and we need to hold onto that spirit in these dark times

I don’t know what comes next, but I know Canadians will rise to the challenge. We will continue to extend a hand in friendship to our American neighbours. We know most of you don’t want this either. We will stand proud and remain true to our values always. We will overcome

If you want to watch it, the Broadway production was filmed for streaming on AppleTV and it’s beautifully done. “Tonight we honour what was lost, but we also commemorate what we found.”

https://youtu.be/Af77C4zUkjs?si=I5f3ulk3YVQ44bzk

#uspoli #canpoli #tariffs #canadian #comefromaway

So many jaw-dropping, outright power-mad, fascistic things happening in the States.

Canadians, if you don't think that there are people in this country just drooling at the possibilities here, you are mistaken.

#USPoli #CanPoli #ONPoli #Canada

There’s someone at RFK Jr’s confirmation hearing wearing a respirator and holding a sign that says “vaccines save lives”

This is the way. Calm, cool & collected but sending a strong message that COVID isn’t over, no one is expendable and anti-science is dangerous.

Thank you Lone Masker!

#uspoli #vaccines #rfkjr #ConfirmationHearings #MasksWork #covidisairborne #covidisnotover

Not only does this memo give serious Handmaids Tale vibes (prioritizing the pious and the fertile while the rest of us go without)….

But don’t snooze on the fact that they’ve made it so if you get funding from the Department of Transportation you can’t have a vaccine or mask mandate.

COVID isn’t over. H5N1 is spreading rapidly and has pandemic potential.

We’ve got RFK Jr poised to take over HHS and do untold amounts of damage to public health.

Yet they’re still coming for masks and vaccines.

Please wear a mask while you still can. Mask to protect your own health and to show solidarity with disabled and marginalized people who’ve been cast aside and treated as expendable for years.

Mask to Resist.

Via Ken Klipperstein

#uspoli #dot #dei #deia #departmentoftransportation #discrimination #masks #vaccines #pandemic #publichealth #covidisnotover #h5n1

Trump wants to impose martial law

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMkXojThq/

#uspoli #uspolitics #trump #congress #project2025 #martiallaw