Zoë McLaren, PhD
zoemclaren.bsky.social
Zoë McLaren, PhD
@zoemclaren.bsky.social
Visiting Scholar @NYUniversity. Associate Prof. @UMBCPubPolicy. Formerly @UMichSPH. Econ PhD @UMich. Health and economic policy to fight HIV, TB & COVID19.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
I still can't believe these goddamn fools are trying to get into a patriotism dick measuring contest with a guy who was a combat pilot and an astronaut and space flight commander.
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
My mom told her physical therapist she wears a mask because her husband and daughter are immunocompromised. The PT said she is too but isn't worried bc she knows if she dies she is going to heaven. Then her co-worker yelled, “Shut up Debbie you wear a seatbelt and take blood pressure meds” 👀
November 25, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
People need food. Market won’t provide it. Government should. It’s literally the whole point.
Turns out Mamdani's controversial proposal for government-run supermarkets isn't so novel. Other cities also are toying with the idea to bring fresh, affordable food to communities that do not have easy access to it. Good WSJ read (gift link)
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Inside Atlanta’s First Government-Funded Supermarket
The goal is for the store to become profitable without any government subsidy within three years.
www.wsj.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Let kids have their bodily autonomy. It’s not “impolite” to refuse to hug a relative.
Yeah - don't make kids hug against their will. Good.
November 26, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
This is the type of hater energy that will fuel us in the years ahead.
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
Overall flu circulation is still low in the US but is steadily rising. Was on inpatient ID consult service last week.
Anecdotally I saw more COVID positives than flu positives. Lots of rhinovirus & parainflueza. Interestingly no rsv.
Get vaccinated now is the time.
www.nbcnews.com/health/cold-...
Flu season is just beginning, but doctors are already on high alert
While flu levels are still low, a strain that has wreaked havoc in the U.K. and Canada is behind most cases so far in the U.S., mostly affecting kids.
www.nbcnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
Reminder to schedule a colonoscopy
November 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
I strongly feel Rep. AOC should run for the Senate, and I’ll be all-in if she chooses that path.
November 23, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
I work in cancer research (I search people’s charts and file relevant information to be useful later) and the harm RFK Jr has done, is doing, and will do is sickening and harms patients daily.

I hope one day RFK Jr is unable to get the help he needs because of research he prevented from happening.
November 22, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.

www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
November 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
my favorite flower is forget-me-nots… so i beaded earrings that remind me of the field of flowers i spent the summer enjoying
November 22, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
The foundation I'm visiting has 2 outings each year, like Broadway plays plus fancy dinner

These events are for EVERYONE working here--us visitors, program staff, finance & HR, maintenance, kitchen staff, everyone--& their +1s

What would universities be like if we valued everyone working there?
November 21, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
while I’m being cranky, access journalism needs to go. When the president does his “I’m alpha because I insulted you” thing somebody needs to fall on his sword and say “what the fuck is wrong with you, old man?” on a hot mic. the hero of the wizard of Oz is Toto.
November 21, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
How to get it from your own employer is relatively easy to discover.

How to fund lost salary and/or a stay elsewhere is completely opaque.
November 20, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
I would really love for someone to write an academic “how-to” book for post-tenure faculty, covering this amongst other things. They have similar books for graduate students and entry levels, but it would be great to have something focusing on the mid career stage.
November 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
Their music & food beautifully reflects this!
November 20, 2025 at 2:20 PM
There was a Detroit news story about how a Little Caesars employee jumped over the counter to intervene and protect someone and I can’t find it or remember the details clearly but it was sooooo Detroit. Detroiters show up for each other.
I always forget how much I like Detroit and how much Detroit likes me! Without fail, I meet the best people here. Reminds me of New Orleans.
November 20, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I used to live in downtown Detroit and I miss it so much. Detroiters are real, kind, welcoming and community-minded.

A great place to live and great place to visit.
I always forget how much I like Detroit and how much Detroit likes me! Without fail, I meet the best people here. Reminds me of New Orleans.
November 20, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Back in 2015 they bartenders would just make bespoke drinks for everyone. It was unreal. Cocktail culture on point.
The best! Surprisingly great cocktail bars too.
November 20, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Detroit is the kindest place I’ve been in the world.
People say “Minnesota nice” but I’ve been both places many times and most legit nice of the two is Detroit.
November 20, 2025 at 2:13 PM
If you come without respect they will kill you with kindness. Detroiters are the best.
If you come with respect, Detroit is one of the friendliest cities in America.
November 20, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Detroit is populated with the descendants of Black Americans who moved from Alabama during the Great Migration. It’s a little piece of southern hospitality in the north.
Yes! We no longer really visit The South since leaving it & Detroit scratches a lot of that itch. (We still get king cakes delivered from a shop in NOLA, tho. 🤤)
November 20, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
Detroit is great! Even when I have to go there for a mundane errand I can find something cool to do/see/eat while I'm in the area
November 19, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
A loud reminder that the harassment and abuse women in #economics deal with is unfortunately not new and disproportionately impacts Black women as Governor Lisa Cook and I wrote for the NYT back in 2019.
November 20, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
I thought Warmth of Other Suns was a total page turner! I put it off for a long while because I was intimidated by the length but I was completely engrossed from beginning to end.
November 20, 2025 at 5:11 AM