Rachel Widome
@rwidome.bsky.social
I'm an epidemiologist at the UMN's Division of Epidemiology and Community Health. I like rabbits. I like iced tea. I also like plots that involve time travel. On Twitter and elsewhere I'm rwidome too. More on me: https://widome.carrd.co/
Tonight was the 1st time in my life (I think?) that I watched anything Super Bowl related. Thank you for that, Bad Bunny!!!
February 9, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Tonight was the 1st time in my life (I think?) that I watched anything Super Bowl related. Thank you for that, Bad Bunny!!!
Can I recommend the Bad Bunny Tiny Desk performance?
February 8, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Can I recommend the Bad Bunny Tiny Desk performance?
Okay, I did it. I listened to the entire Ross Douthat interview of Jay Bhattacharya. I was hoping to gain some insight into whether Bhattacharya actually believes in or even really understands the things he says and does. Heck, who knows. But gosh what a terrible NIH Director.
February 8, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Okay, I did it. I listened to the entire Ross Douthat interview of Jay Bhattacharya. I was hoping to gain some insight into whether Bhattacharya actually believes in or even really understands the things he says and does. Heck, who knows. But gosh what a terrible NIH Director.
As of a couple days ago, I wear glasses. Not like reading glasses (had those for decades), all-the-time glasses. Pro: I can now see. Con: OMG.
Unbeknownst to me I had been seeing the world thru an instagram filter for the past few years.
Unbeknownst to me I had been seeing the world thru an instagram filter for the past few years.
February 8, 2026 at 4:30 PM
As of a couple days ago, I wear glasses. Not like reading glasses (had those for decades), all-the-time glasses. Pro: I can now see. Con: OMG.
Unbeknownst to me I had been seeing the world thru an instagram filter for the past few years.
Unbeknownst to me I had been seeing the world thru an instagram filter for the past few years.
Reposted by Rachel Widome
Martin, an 18-year-old citizen, traveled with his Madison-area soccer team to Minneapolis for a Futsal tournament. He saved up money so his mom could take time off work to go with him. But while they were there, ICE took his mom, who has been detained ever since.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
Mother's immigration arrest leaves Madison soccer standout reeling
Federal immigration agents detained a Madison soccer player's mother while she was in Minnesota for her son's games. Now, he's struggling.
www.jsonline.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Martin, an 18-year-old citizen, traveled with his Madison-area soccer team to Minneapolis for a Futsal tournament. He saved up money so his mom could take time off work to go with him. But while they were there, ICE took his mom, who has been detained ever since.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Rachel Widome
You know one of the stories that has kind of blown my mind is Haven Watch. Some lady realized people who got released from the Whipple were just dumped outside with no phone or coat and decided she could do something about this, like a month ago.
But there are a ton of similar stories.
But there are a ton of similar stories.
if everyone could take on the “what if we just did the thing instead of waiting for it to happen” energy that much of minneapolis has right now, the world could be pretty good
February 7, 2026 at 12:03 AM
You know one of the stories that has kind of blown my mind is Haven Watch. Some lady realized people who got released from the Whipple were just dumped outside with no phone or coat and decided she could do something about this, like a month ago.
But there are a ton of similar stories.
But there are a ton of similar stories.
Reposted by Rachel Widome
LawHelpMN is building out a clearinghouse of resources for people who are detained or at risk of detention by ICE. It'll be continually updated as new resources come online. Available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali
www.lawhelpmn.org/detained
www.lawhelpmn.org/detained
Resources for People Detained or Worried About Being Detained
This fact sheet talks about resources for people who were detained by ICE or think they might be detained.If you are worried about being detained, use this form to record information that might help y...
www.lawhelpmn.org
February 6, 2026 at 11:58 PM
LawHelpMN is building out a clearinghouse of resources for people who are detained or at risk of detention by ICE. It'll be continually updated as new resources come online. Available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali
www.lawhelpmn.org/detained
www.lawhelpmn.org/detained
Time to make the donuts
February 6, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Time to make the donuts
Reposted by Rachel Widome
Expedited deportation proceedings for a preschooler in a bunny hat www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
DHS has requested expedited deportation proceedings against family of Liam Conejo Ramos
The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Expedited deportation proceedings for a preschooler in a bunny hat www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Rachel Widome
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
February 5, 2026 at 5:05 PM
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
Reposted by Rachel Widome
This morning at the Minnesota State Capitol.
An ice sculpture that reads "PROSECUTE ICE". I'm told the organization behind the sculpture is Common Defense.
An ice sculpture that reads "PROSECUTE ICE". I'm told the organization behind the sculpture is Common Defense.
February 5, 2026 at 3:26 PM
This morning at the Minnesota State Capitol.
An ice sculpture that reads "PROSECUTE ICE". I'm told the organization behind the sculpture is Common Defense.
An ice sculpture that reads "PROSECUTE ICE". I'm told the organization behind the sculpture is Common Defense.
Man, I wish there was a way to have different aliases in my Signal chat groups so I could be anonymous in some but the real me in others. @meredithmeredith.bsky.social, could this be possible?
February 5, 2026 at 4:44 AM
Man, I wish there was a way to have different aliases in my Signal chat groups so I could be anonymous in some but the real me in others. @meredithmeredith.bsky.social, could this be possible?
Reposted by Rachel Widome
I think it's best for everyone to understand that the unified class project of billionaires right now is to do to white collar workers what globalization and neoliberalism did to blue collar workers.
February 4, 2026 at 7:41 PM
I think it's best for everyone to understand that the unified class project of billionaires right now is to do to white collar workers what globalization and neoliberalism did to blue collar workers.
Also in this clip...
BHATTACHARYA: Uh uh the NIH funds studies, we don't conduct directly the studies.
Does he not know what happens at NIH at all or how it works, like at all? What a terrible NIH director.
BHATTACHARYA: Uh uh the NIH funds studies, we don't conduct directly the studies.
Does he not know what happens at NIH at all or how it works, like at all? What a terrible NIH director.
BHATTACHARYA: I do not believe patients' care was disrupted. If there were disruptions, it's the responsibility of the researchers, not the NHS
HASSAN: That is an unacceptable and outrageous response. You can make an edict - 'Don't disrupt care!' - but that can be a very complicated thing
HASSAN: That is an unacceptable and outrageous response. You can make an edict - 'Don't disrupt care!' - but that can be a very complicated thing
February 3, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Also in this clip...
BHATTACHARYA: Uh uh the NIH funds studies, we don't conduct directly the studies.
Does he not know what happens at NIH at all or how it works, like at all? What a terrible NIH director.
BHATTACHARYA: Uh uh the NIH funds studies, we don't conduct directly the studies.
Does he not know what happens at NIH at all or how it works, like at all? What a terrible NIH director.
"Former government lawyers said the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota has never lost 14 attorneys in the span of a single month before." www.startribune.com/another-wave...
Another wave of departures in Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office
14 attorneys have left this year, which prosecutors are calling unprecedented.
www.startribune.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:25 PM
"Former government lawyers said the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota has never lost 14 attorneys in the span of a single month before." www.startribune.com/another-wave...
Reposted by Rachel Widome
Jesus this chart.
The number of detainees getting put on ICE flights at MSP has been relatively low the last few days.
I believe this is not on account of ICE pulling back - they still outnumber local police in many towns - but on account of vulnerable people staying home, observer pressure, and lawyer organization.
I believe this is not on account of ICE pulling back - they still outnumber local police in many towns - but on account of vulnerable people staying home, observer pressure, and lawyer organization.
February 3, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Jesus this chart.
Reposted by Rachel Widome
This is a post about animal excrement and the English language.
bull$#!% = nonsense/lies
chicken$#!% = petty or cowardly
horse$#!% = nonsense/lies
dog$#!%= low quality
ape$#!% = wild
bat$#!%= crazy
Ordered above from oldest to newest: bull$#!% (1914), bat$#!% (1971).
bull$#!% = nonsense/lies
chicken$#!% = petty or cowardly
horse$#!% = nonsense/lies
dog$#!%= low quality
ape$#!% = wild
bat$#!%= crazy
Ordered above from oldest to newest: bull$#!% (1914), bat$#!% (1971).
February 2, 2026 at 3:23 PM
This is a post about animal excrement and the English language.
bull$#!% = nonsense/lies
chicken$#!% = petty or cowardly
horse$#!% = nonsense/lies
dog$#!%= low quality
ape$#!% = wild
bat$#!%= crazy
Ordered above from oldest to newest: bull$#!% (1914), bat$#!% (1971).
bull$#!% = nonsense/lies
chicken$#!% = petty or cowardly
horse$#!% = nonsense/lies
dog$#!%= low quality
ape$#!% = wild
bat$#!%= crazy
Ordered above from oldest to newest: bull$#!% (1914), bat$#!% (1971).
Reposted by Rachel Widome
ICE/CBP have taken at least 3 Columbia Heights students and 25 families(it’s a small suburb) and they’re staging *in the school parking lot* www.kare11.com/article/news...
Columbia Heights Public Schools closes due to 'credible threat'
This news comes after 25 Columbia Heights parents and at least three students have been detained in the past few weeks.
www.kare11.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:22 PM
ICE/CBP have taken at least 3 Columbia Heights students and 25 families(it’s a small suburb) and they’re staging *in the school parking lot* www.kare11.com/article/news...
Jihad vs. McWorld asked the ‘90s. Well lol jokes on you cause the answer is neither
February 2, 2026 at 4:27 AM
Jihad vs. McWorld asked the ‘90s. Well lol jokes on you cause the answer is neither
“For 24 hours, she was locked inside a bathroom with three men at Whipple… Meals consisted of one sandwich a day. The sink faucet did not work, but the single toilet did. When the men pulled down their pants to use it, the woman hid her face.” www.startribune.com/no-humanity-...
‘No humanity’: Detainees describe conditions inside Whipple Federal Building
Immigration sweep brings overcrowded rooms and overflowing toilets. Lawyers say they can’t visit their clients. The Department of Homeland Security says “all detainees receive full due process.”
www.startribune.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:50 AM
“For 24 hours, she was locked inside a bathroom with three men at Whipple… Meals consisted of one sandwich a day. The sink faucet did not work, but the single toilet did. When the men pulled down their pants to use it, the woman hid her face.” www.startribune.com/no-humanity-...
Reposted by Rachel Widome
Liam is home now and we are grateful to @joaquincastrotx.bsky.social for traveling to Minneapolis with him and his dad.
Welcome home Liam ❤️❤️
Welcome home Liam ❤️❤️
February 1, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Liam is home now and we are grateful to @joaquincastrotx.bsky.social for traveling to Minneapolis with him and his dad.
Welcome home Liam ❤️❤️
Welcome home Liam ❤️❤️
Reposted by Rachel Widome
This morning, federal agents staged at the Powderhorn Park Recreation Center lot and began to throw chemical irritants at observers. They also kidnapped an observer. Our parks are meant for our children, youth, and neighbors. They should never be militarized zones meant to separate families. 1/
February 1, 2026 at 3:23 PM
This morning, federal agents staged at the Powderhorn Park Recreation Center lot and began to throw chemical irritants at observers. They also kidnapped an observer. Our parks are meant for our children, youth, and neighbors. They should never be militarized zones meant to separate families. 1/
Reposted by Rachel Widome
Honestly the longer ICE stays here the more advantage we gain. They have to be gone by spring. If the bike whackos get a shot at patrol it’s OVER.
January 28, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Honestly the longer ICE stays here the more advantage we gain. They have to be gone by spring. If the bike whackos get a shot at patrol it’s OVER.
Okay I know this sounds dumb but I just never thought in my lifetime that I’d be engaged in fighting nazis from taking over in my own US city. Weird.
January 31, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Okay I know this sounds dumb but I just never thought in my lifetime that I’d be engaged in fighting nazis from taking over in my own US city. Weird.