Author | Lightnews

amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · Jun 30

Crips for eSims for Gaza chuffed.org/project/crip...

Crips for eSims for Gaza

Crips for eSims for Gaza is a collaboration between Jane Shi, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, and Alice Wong.

chuffed.org

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The Scales ⚖️ @shakethescales.bsky.social · Jun 22

Why hasn't the United Nations condemned the U.S. attack on Iran, which breaks the U.N. Charter?

This is gravely alarming...
news.un.org/en/story/202...

UN chief ‘gravely alarmed’ by US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the United States’ bombing of three nuclear sites in Iran as a “dangerous escalation” on Saturday following eight days of deadly strikes and counter...

news.un.org

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amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · Jun 21

Who will make my quilt?
open.substack.com/pub/livingwi...

Who will make my quilt?

On the parallels between the HIV/AIDS and Long Covid epidemics

open.substack.com

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amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · May 31

From Bilberry Leaves to Aspen Bark: Sensing Seasonal Shifts in Eco-Crip Time
open.substack.com/pub/commonsf...

From Bilberry Leaves to Aspen Bark: Sensing Seasonal Shifts in Eco-Crip Time

A summary of discussion from May 2025's Commons Feast Virtual Monthly Meet-up.

open.substack.com

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amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · May 18

May’s Commons Feast Virtual Monthly Meet-up is coming up next Tuesday, 20th, for anyone interested in foraging for wild foods, materials and/or medicines to share knowledge and collectively witness the seasons in landscapes, urban, rural or edgeland. Free, and all are welcome: tinyurl.com/5n6r65db

Commons Feast Virtual Monthly Meet Up

Monthly series of online participatory performance events to share & discuss commons food & medicinal knowledge & foraging adventures.

tinyurl.com

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amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · May 7

Crip Climates
open.substack.com/pub/radicle/...

Crip Climates

Cultivating Wildness, by Gayla Trail

open.substack.com

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Mark Ungrin @mark-ungrin.bsky.social · Apr 24

You wouldn't drink their spit - why would you breathe it?

An image of a packed emergency room. It is poorly lit, and full of sick people waiting for care. The caption reads "You wouldn't drink their spit. Why would you breathe it?" Below that to the right of centre, Honey the Safety Badger is wearing an N95, and says "If it came out of someone else's body, it doesn't belong in yours!". Below that is a smaller caption "Wear a well-fitted N95". At lower left is a QR code linking to a comprehensive transdisciplinary review "Masks and respirators for prevention of respiratory infections: a state of the science review", found at: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/cmr.00124-23

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Mark Ungrin @mark-ungrin.bsky.social · Apr 23

When you look at the US and see easily-prevented infectious diseases getting out of control, oligarchs stealing everything that's not nailed down and a lot that is, and workers stomped into the mud - if you like what you see, then spend your money at Starbucks.

But if you don't - then don't.

🧵

Mark Ungrin @mark-ungrin.bsky.social · Nov 25

From populists on the right, but also from establishment figures desperate to bury their responsibility, there's an ongoing push to bury the harms of COVID.

Long COVID alone costs 7M life-years (QALYs) and on the order of a trillion dollars a year in the OECD.
www.oecd-ilibrary.org/social-issue...

1. While a precise estimate of long COVID prevalence is still emerging, current research suggests that up to 10-30% of people who contracted COVID-19 exhibit symptoms corresponding to long COVID in the weeks and months following acute infection. Across OECD countries at a minimum, this would represent upwards of 39 million people who had or are currently living with long COVID. Sustainable investment in long COVID research is crucial to inform health and social care resource allocation. As the evidence base grows, developing standardised measures of symptoms and functional impact to support a more precise definition that enables the disaggregation of levels of long COVID severity could be useful to better understand the condition, assess its impact, and to tailor care and support.
3. Long COVID can severely limit people’s ability to undertake basic activities of daily life and can dramatically hamper quality of life. More than 7 million quality-adjusted life years may be lost annually across OECD countries due to the condition. Studies from across a range of OECD countries suggest that one sixth to more than one-third of people may have persistent cognitive symptoms, often lasting more than 12 weeks, after a COVID-19 infection.
4. Even conservative estimates of long COVID prevalence would indicate that long COVID may be reducing the workforce by nearly 3 million workers across OECD countries, amounting to an economic cost of at least $141 billion USD from lost wages alone. Moreover, even among those who were able to return to the labour force, a significant proportion reported needing to reduce the number of hours they worked, compared to before their infection.

5. The economic and social welfare costs of long COVID are dramatic: Even excluding the direct costs of health care, long COVID is likely costing OECD countries as much as $864 billion $1.04 trillion USD per year due to reductions in quality of life and labour force participation. The limitations in activities experienced by long COVID patients, including dropping out or reducing their participation in the labour force, as well as direct medical care costs, can have dramatic implications on their financial well-being. Costs to health and social protection systems may also be high over time.
6. Long COVID could further exacerbate inequalities: The COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to longstanding socioeconomic and demographic inequalities in health. Evidence from some countries suggests that certain groups – including populations with lower education attainment, and those living in more deprived areas – may be at risk of developing long COVID, and of experiencing more severe symptoms.
7. Patients have played a critical role in bringing attention and action to long COVID: Throughout the pandemic, countries deprioritized many key aspects of person-centred care in exchange for rapidly implementing policies intended to contain the virus. While the need for rapid action was clear, the lack of patient voice in the process was notable. In contrast, patients and patient groups have been at the forefront of advocating for both a recognition of long COVID as a legitimate condition, in articulating their care and support needs, and in spearheading research into the condition. In many cases, countries have responded by actively working together with patient groups to disseminate information and develop patient-centred support services.

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Mark Ungrin @mark-ungrin.bsky.social · Apr 23

🧵Confirmation via a friend: Starbucks will forbid employees from masking without a medical note.

Giant US-based MAGAcorp known for union-busting, actively preventing workers from protecting themselves and the public from known workplace health hazards?

Starbucks wants you infected.

👉 #Sickbucks 👈

Starbucks Information

To You

9:01AM

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for contacting Starbucks, we very much appreciate all of your thoughts and I am sorry to read about your disagreement for the new barista's dress code and mask removal. I know how important this is for you and how frustrating this seems to be.

I want you to know that your concerns have been fully documented; we are always excited to receive feedback from our loyal customers about your Starbucks Experience. You know better than anyone else what you want from Starbucks. By updating our dress code, we can deliver a more consistent coffeehouse experience that will also bring simpler and clearer guidance to our partners, which means they can focus on what matters most, crafting great beverages and fostering connections with customers. We appreciate your understanding.

We value your continued support and are committed to improving your experience with Starbucks. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. We're here for you.

Wish you a marvelous day ahead,

Warm Regards,

Hashmita A.

Starbucks Customer Care

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Mark Ungrin @mark-ungrin.bsky.social · Apr 23

US companies endangering Canadian workers must be put in their place. COVID is out of control, measles is spreading, bird flu up next - helped along by Starbucks' MAGA buddies.

When a politician comes doorknocking, ask them what they will do to protect workers from abusive employers like Starbucks.

Gambling with bird flu is asking for trouble — and another pandemic

Canada Healthwatch | The most important health news, in one place. 🍁

canadahealthwatch.ca

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amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · Apr 19

No new drilling in the North Sea! - secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/...

No new drilling in the North Sea! Sign now

Oil companies want to keep drilling – and are pushing the UK government to backtrack on its commitments. But we have to stop drilling for oil. Now. Will you join me and call on Prime Minister Keir Sta...

secure.avaaz.org

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amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · Apr 14

Tomorrow, Tues 15 April 7-8pm BST will be next Commons Feast Virtual Monthly Meet Up -https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/commons-feast-virtual-monthly-meet-up-tickets-1312782520859?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Commons Feast Virtual Monthly Meet Up

Monthly series of online participatory performance events to share & discuss commons food & medicinal knowledge & foraging adventures.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

Reposted

The Scales ⚖️ @shakethescales.bsky.social · Apr 8

None of this shit is going to get fixed by any of the people in charge right now. Do you get that yet?

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The Canary @thecanaryuk.bsky.social · Apr 6

Make no mistake: disability benefit cuts are a feminist issue

Women are more likely to be disabled, and often left undiagnosed or without the support they need for longer. It is also women who commonly bear the brunt of state underfunding.
www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...

Make no mistake: disability benefit cuts are a feminist issue

Women are more likely to be disabled, and often left without support for longer. And now, they have disability benefit cuts as well.

www.thecanary.co

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Esther @elhopkins.bsky.social · Apr 6

The papers are crammed full of covid minimising articles with not one mention of anything coming out of the covid inquiry or the over 400 million suffering long covid. Or the hundreds of thousands still self shielding in the UK due to lack of drugs like pemgarda. The narrative is unbalanced.

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amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · Apr 4

I just wrote a @_teachthefuture letter: Ask your MP to submit a parliamentary question about net zero school buildings!. Write one here: actionnetwork.org/letters/ask-...

Ask your MP to submit a parliamentary question about net zero school buildings!

Education is the public sector's largest emitter of carbon from buildings, with energy costing £1.8 billion in 2023. If the Department for Education is to adhere to its commitment to placing the educa...

actionnetwork.org

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amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · Apr 4

Take 2 mins to demand that Meta stop targeting you with creepy personalised ads and content!

goodlaw.social/gk0i

Meta: this time it’s personal

Take 2 mins to write to Meta now!

goodlaw.social

amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · Mar 31

I just signed the petition urging the Government to invest in research to help those suffering from Long Covid. Will you sign too? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/in...

Invest in Long Covid & M.E. Research: Thousands of Children DISABLED, DISCHARGED, & HIDDEN FROM VIEW

• Five years after the start of the Covid pandemic, thousands remain severely ill - Many housebound or often bedbound, unable to attend school, work, or take part in daily life.  Disabled, discha...

you.38degrees.org.uk

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amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · Mar 24

I have just posted March’s Commons Feast intro on my Substack, to prompt discussion at Tuesday’s event. It draws on companioning across species by way of Donna Haraway, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Michael Marder and Robin Harford/Eatweeds. It is free to read: commonsfeast.substack.com

Commons Feast & Other Ramblings | Amanda Couch | Substack

A commons foods newsletter from artist and researcher, Amanda Couch. Click to read Commons Feast & Other Ramblings, by Amanda Couch, a Substack publication. Launched a year ago.

commonsfeast.substack.com

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amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · Mar 23

The Institutions Are Collapsing
www.donotpanic.news/p/the-instit...

The Institutions Are Collapsing

The institutions are collapsing and the people are sick.

www.donotpanic.news

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Dr David Joffe MB BS(Hons), PhD, FRACP @davidjoffe64.bsky.social · Mar 20

Bird Flu cometh

www.thelancet.com/journals/ebi...

Large-scale computational modelling of H5 influenza variants against HA1-neutralising antibodies

These results indicate that the virus has potential to move from epidemic to pandemic status. This study illustrates the value of high-performance computing to rapidly model protein–protein interactio...

www.thelancet.com

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Esther @elhopkins.bsky.social · Mar 21

www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
At the moment the government are a primary cause of more people leaving the work force #cleantheair

Keir Starmer: Labour will help people get back to work — it’s in our name

Nobody with a condition that means they will never be able to work will lose out from changes to benefits, but people who want to work must be supported says PM

www.thetimes.com

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amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · Mar 21

[email protected] and @greenpeaceusa.bsky.social just lost $660M lawsuit from fossil fuel giant Energy Transfer for supporting peaceful protest.

I stand in solidarity with Greenpeace against this attack on our right to speak out #ImWithGreenpeace

Find out more: www.greenpeace.org/internationa...

Jury delivers verdict finding Greenpeace entities liable for more than US$660 million in Energy Transfer SLAPP trial - Greenpeace International

Free speech and right to protest on the line in the United States.

www.greenpeace.org

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amandajcouch.bsky.social @amandajcouch.bsky.social · Mar 18

www.thecanary.co/trending/202...

The Guardian's latest propaganda for Israel is absolutely shocking

First Western corporate media was telling us Israel's genocide wasn't a genocide. And now, outlets like the Guardian are telling us this?

www.thecanary.co