Juliet Baker Sparks
@julietjbaker.bsky.social
Buckinghamshire, UK
Interests: NHS (patient experience), disability & access, brain tumours, stroke, education, politics, radio, Bruce Springsteen, what's going on in the world.
Interests: NHS (patient experience), disability & access, brain tumours, stroke, education, politics, radio, Bruce Springsteen, what's going on in the world.
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
If we are really worried about the pressure put on the NHS by flu then shouldn’t we have offered the flu vaccine to more people for free?
Super flu' wave hits hospitals in England with no peak yet
Numbers in hospital rise by more than 50% in a week as NHS faces 'worst-case scenario'.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 7:12 PM
If we are really worried about the pressure put on the NHS by flu then shouldn’t we have offered the flu vaccine to more people for free?
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
The fact is no presenter has ever had to leave the BBC for expressing conservative views, or even explicitly endorsing a right-wing party.
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Robin Ince reveals to last night’s audience at a recording of Infinite Monkey Cage that the BBC has forced him to resign over his support of trans people
December 13, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The fact is no presenter has ever had to leave the BBC for expressing conservative views, or even explicitly endorsing a right-wing party.
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
Lineker & now Ince. Even for those not paying attention it should now be obvious that the sort of people who whine loudest about “cancel culture” are the ones doing the cancelling.
The far right’s commitment to “freedom of speech” is an authoritarian joke & the BBC has disgraced itself.
The far right’s commitment to “freedom of speech” is an authoritarian joke & the BBC has disgraced itself.
December 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Lineker & now Ince. Even for those not paying attention it should now be obvious that the sort of people who whine loudest about “cancel culture” are the ones doing the cancelling.
The far right’s commitment to “freedom of speech” is an authoritarian joke & the BBC has disgraced itself.
The far right’s commitment to “freedom of speech” is an authoritarian joke & the BBC has disgraced itself.
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
So, to those who say "masks don't work", cite the flawed Cochrane report, insist upon an unfeasible RCT, accuse folks of panic, and undermine public health on social and mainstream media during a flu/RSV epidemic...
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
December 12, 2025 at 11:07 AM
So, to those who say "masks don't work", cite the flawed Cochrane report, insist upon an unfeasible RCT, accuse folks of panic, and undermine public health on social and mainstream media during a flu/RSV epidemic...
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
17. Think "Swiss Cheese" - no single measure is enough on its own, no single person will effect change at scale. BUT, individual acts can have both good and bad consequences.
Balance risk, vax status, time spent, ventilation, the activity in question, and who else is there...
Balance risk, vax status, time spent, ventilation, the activity in question, and who else is there...
December 12, 2025 at 11:07 AM
17. Think "Swiss Cheese" - no single measure is enough on its own, no single person will effect change at scale. BUT, individual acts can have both good and bad consequences.
Balance risk, vax status, time spent, ventilation, the activity in question, and who else is there...
Balance risk, vax status, time spent, ventilation, the activity in question, and who else is there...
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
Scientific evidence shows, once again, there is no causal link between vaccines and autism. Vaccines cause adults. - @drtedros.who.int
December 11, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Scientific evidence shows, once again, there is no causal link between vaccines and autism. Vaccines cause adults. - @drtedros.who.int
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
This is correct. It's easier to collect energy (solar panels) than to get rid of the waste energy. The panels you see here pointing down from the ISS are radiators, not solar panels (those are edge-on in this shot)
December 10, 2025 at 10:49 PM
This is correct. It's easier to collect energy (solar panels) than to get rid of the waste energy. The panels you see here pointing down from the ISS are radiators, not solar panels (those are edge-on in this shot)
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
You can't help but wonder how the King feels about being dispatched to the USA for a state visit next April, marking America's 250th birthday year. Fun times.
December 9, 2025 at 6:39 PM
You can't help but wonder how the King feels about being dispatched to the USA for a state visit next April, marking America's 250th birthday year. Fun times.
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
Critics of disability benefits largely frame it as a concern for government spending but beneath it, there’s often a clear prejudice: disabled people should have miserable little lives (unlike hardworking, normal people).
December 8, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Critics of disability benefits largely frame it as a concern for government spending but beneath it, there’s often a clear prejudice: disabled people should have miserable little lives (unlike hardworking, normal people).
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
“I know a disabled person who takes their Motability car on holiday” is an absolute zinger of a comeback.
Famously, disabled people only go to the supermarket and hospital. I’d personally put a ban on mainland Europe.
Famously, disabled people only go to the supermarket and hospital. I’d personally put a ban on mainland Europe.
December 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
“I know a disabled person who takes their Motability car on holiday” is an absolute zinger of a comeback.
Famously, disabled people only go to the supermarket and hospital. I’d personally put a ban on mainland Europe.
Famously, disabled people only go to the supermarket and hospital. I’d personally put a ban on mainland Europe.
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
So this week shall I write about how killing unarmed civilians is murder or about how unwise it would be to limit the human right against torture.
Western liberal democracies in 2025.
Western liberal democracies in 2025.
December 8, 2025 at 7:57 AM
So this week shall I write about how killing unarmed civilians is murder or about how unwise it would be to limit the human right against torture.
Western liberal democracies in 2025.
Western liberal democracies in 2025.
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
this is potentially TMI but also *v useful information* so: did you know that (in the UK) if you start to feel you're getting a UTI on Saturday evening you can do an online form with eg Boots and be picking up your antibiotics by 10am on Sunday morning? and then start to feel better by 11am?
December 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
this is potentially TMI but also *v useful information* so: did you know that (in the UK) if you start to feel you're getting a UTI on Saturday evening you can do an online form with eg Boots and be picking up your antibiotics by 10am on Sunday morning? and then start to feel better by 11am?
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
How to buy yourself a needy malignant narcissist? Just offer him a phony, made up "Peace Prize" & he's all your's!!!
No need for a formal ceremony as he'll snatch from the box & put it on all by himself. Both laughably pathetic AND pathetically laughable. 🤡 🫣
No need for a formal ceremony as he'll snatch from the box & put it on all by himself. Both laughably pathetic AND pathetically laughable. 🤡 🫣
December 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
How to buy yourself a needy malignant narcissist? Just offer him a phony, made up "Peace Prize" & he's all your's!!!
No need for a formal ceremony as he'll snatch from the box & put it on all by himself. Both laughably pathetic AND pathetically laughable. 🤡 🫣
No need for a formal ceremony as he'll snatch from the box & put it on all by himself. Both laughably pathetic AND pathetically laughable. 🤡 🫣
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
There he is folks. Proud recipient of the new FIFA Peace Prize. He couldn’t put that gold medal around his neck fast enough.
December 5, 2025 at 5:46 PM
There he is folks. Proud recipient of the new FIFA Peace Prize. He couldn’t put that gold medal around his neck fast enough.
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
🔴 Nigel Farage’s Reform is more reliant on super-rich backers than any major party in modern British political history
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of Reform UK’s donations have come from just three rich men
Calls grow for donation caps as Democracy for Sale research reveals that three-quarters of Reform’s funding comes from a trio of wealthy donors
democracyforsale.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM
🔴 Nigel Farage’s Reform is more reliant on super-rich backers than any major party in modern British political history
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
Peter will be joining me on air at 11.45.
“The claim that this is a recent invention born of political bias is categorically untrue.”
@mrjamesob.bsky.social reveals that Peter Ettedgui made identical accusations against Nigel Farage in private six years ago.
@mrjamesob.bsky.social reveals that Peter Ettedgui made identical accusations against Nigel Farage in private six years ago.
December 5, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Peter will be joining me on air at 11.45.
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
Zia Yusuf - the unelected multimillionaire policy chief of Reform - makes his fourth Question Time appearance tonight.
The party has five MPs
The party has five MPs
December 4, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Zia Yusuf - the unelected multimillionaire policy chief of Reform - makes his fourth Question Time appearance tonight.
The party has five MPs
The party has five MPs
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
One of the basic qualifications for being president is being able to stay awake during Cabinet meetings when someone is talking to you.
December 4, 2025 at 12:38 AM
One of the basic qualifications for being president is being able to stay awake during Cabinet meetings when someone is talking to you.
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
We’re taking a moment to celebrate the strength, creativity, and everyday resilience of this community — one we’re honored to be part of.
💙#IDPWD
We’re taking a moment to celebrate the strength, creativity, and everyday resilience of this community — one we’re honored to be part of.
💙#IDPWD
December 3, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
We’re taking a moment to celebrate the strength, creativity, and everyday resilience of this community — one we’re honored to be part of.
💙#IDPWD
We’re taking a moment to celebrate the strength, creativity, and everyday resilience of this community — one we’re honored to be part of.
💙#IDPWD
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
I saw a meme last night about a generational divide marker of folks who cannot sit through videos and want the words typed out because they read faster than they can watch a video and I felt that deep in my heart. I'm happy for folks who love video, but I hate them. Give me text. Let me read.
December 2, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I saw a meme last night about a generational divide marker of folks who cannot sit through videos and want the words typed out because they read faster than they can watch a video and I felt that deep in my heart. I'm happy for folks who love video, but I hate them. Give me text. Let me read.
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
Now is the time to speak up and stand up for who we are and who we are not.
December 3, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Now is the time to speak up and stand up for who we are and who we are not.
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
When it comes to sorting out a problem at home or work.
I do not want:
An AI chatbot
A commonly asked QA list
A generic email box
To log a job
Circling around any/all of above
I do want:
To speak to a human being, time dependent on task.
How have we got here?
Why/are we complacent?
Are we complicit?
I do not want:
An AI chatbot
A commonly asked QA list
A generic email box
To log a job
Circling around any/all of above
I do want:
To speak to a human being, time dependent on task.
How have we got here?
Why/are we complacent?
Are we complicit?
December 3, 2025 at 10:08 PM
When it comes to sorting out a problem at home or work.
I do not want:
An AI chatbot
A commonly asked QA list
A generic email box
To log a job
Circling around any/all of above
I do want:
To speak to a human being, time dependent on task.
How have we got here?
Why/are we complacent?
Are we complicit?
I do not want:
An AI chatbot
A commonly asked QA list
A generic email box
To log a job
Circling around any/all of above
I do want:
To speak to a human being, time dependent on task.
How have we got here?
Why/are we complacent?
Are we complicit?
Reposted by Juliet Baker Sparks
perfect is the enemy of good and demanding perfect RCTs for annual flu shots = no flu shots
If new proposals detailed in an FDA memo are put into place, experts told me it would mean the end of annual flu shots. And end of most vaccines for pregnant people. And maybe the end of updates to pneumonia vaccines. And more.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
FDA official proposes ‘impossible’ standards for vaccine testing that could curtail access to immunizations
www.cidrap.umn.edu
December 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
perfect is the enemy of good and demanding perfect RCTs for annual flu shots = no flu shots
BBC News - Children with brain tumours face uneven NHS care, says report - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Children with brain tumours face uneven NHS care, says report
A mother whose 13-year-old son died in 2022 says children across the UK should get the same care.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 8:40 PM
BBC News - Children with brain tumours face uneven NHS care, says report - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...