Imelda R
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Imelda R
@imeldar.bsky.social
40 followers 95 following 30 posts
Life long love of environment, nature,arts,culture,creative thinker, meditator, writing,drama,music,visual arts, film, social/political interest,community
conversation. MCS/ME/CFS/FM/disabled. Living on
Ngarrindjeri country South Australia. Never ceded.
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Reposted by Imelda R
tomkindlon.bsky.social
New from Canada:

"Healthcare Workers With Long COVID Struggle to Find Support and Care in an Environment of Denial" by @alisonpalk.bsky.social

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...

May require free registration

#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19 #LC #Covidlonghaulers #PostCovidSyndrome
Medscape logo Medscape News Canada Features Healthcare Workers With Long COVID Struggle to Find Support and Care in an Environment of Denial Alison Palkhivala logo Medscape Canada January 09, 2026
January 9, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Reposted by Imelda R
instanterudite.bsky.social
As a former Director of Adelaide Writers' Week I am appalled that the Adelaide Festival Board has rescinded Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah's invitation to the 2026 AWW, explicitly linking its decision to the shattering crimes in Bondi.

A shocking decision that will and should have far-reaching consequences.
January 8, 2026 at 4:50 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
wyld.bsky.social
Board of corporates (not writers, not artists, not experts in literature) dis-invited Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, a beloved Palestinian Aust writer. No respect shown to Randa, Adel Writers Week staff, invited writers or attendees. That Board's anti-Palestinian racism shouldn't be tolerated. Shame on them
January 8, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Imelda R
luckytran.com
It was reprehensible when people mocked condom usage at the height of the AIDS pandemic.

It is just as depraved to mock those wearing masks to reduce the spread of airborne viruses today.

Whenever someone takes any kind of step to protect public health, they should be applauded, not mocked.
December 28, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Reposted by Imelda R
drtracywesterman.bsky.social
In a world full of discord, kindness is a choice.

And I’m seeing too many people take pleasure in kicking those who are already down.

Real kindness doesn’t punch down.
It understands power—and takes responsibility for how its used.

Whatever privilege you hold, use it to protect.

That’s the line.
December 26, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
tomkindlon.bsky.social
Telehealth is vital for people with #LongCOVID. Don’t let it disappear

thesicktimes.org/2025/12/19/t...

This article explains why telehealth (remote/virtual healthcare) is needed by patients with Long Covid,ME/CFS, & other chronic illnesses & lists some advocacy actions for Canada & the US

#MEcfs
Telehealth is vital for people with Long COVID. Don’t let it disappear. - The Sick Times
Changes to telehealth policies are more than an inconvenience. For many of us, critical infrastructure is in jeopardy, and we urgently need government policy to protect it.
thesicktimes.org
December 21, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Reposted by Imelda R
thereforme.bsky.social
December 17th. Thank you for being #ThereForME, @georgemonbiot.bsky.social!

George is a well-known journalist who has focused on uncovering the reality of the “greatest medical scandal of the 21st Century”. Nominated by Carole B @cabruce.bsky.social. ✨
Photo of a man in a scarf in a polaroid-style frame on a starry background, marked with a bright star labelled ‘17’. Text says: ‘Thank you for being #ThereForME, George Monbiot!’ and ‘Advent Calendar 2025’. Graphic of a letter on a starry blue background. The letter says “Dear George, Your writing, your videos and your interest in the plight of ME sufferers is unsurpassed. You have all the facts coupled with understanding and humanity that makes us all feel really seen and safer with your backing. Thank you. ” Hashtag #ThereForME at the bottom.
December 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
wyld.bsky.social
White Australian man tone-policing a 2nd generation Arab Australian's post: "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt because English is your second language, but you are wrong."

Bitch, please 😆 He's an award-winning Australian poet.

Do these reply guys have no sense of shame? (A: no, they do not)
December 18, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
kazcooke.bsky.social
Big news. Iron deficiency very common in women. Meanwhile, Australian iron infusions often have a complicated weeks/months-long waiting list and no dedicated Medicare item # for GPs. Private costs hundreds. Until the infusion: brain fog & exhaustion, anaemia ... #menopause #perimenopause #iron.
drjengunter.bsky.social Dr. Jen Gunter @drjengunter.bsky.social · 26d
Study linking better cognition with higher levels of iron (ferritin) in perimenopause and menopause. Read about it here open.substack.com/pub/vajenda/...
Menopause, Iron, and Cognition
A new study connects some of the dots
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
tomkindlon.bsky.social
2/
From Australia:

Altered brain tissue microstructure and neurochemical profiles in #longCOVID & recovered COVID-19 individuals: A multimodal MRI study

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update

#COVIDBrain #NeuroPASC #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19
Altered brain tissue microstructure and neurochemical profiles in long COVID and recovered COVID-19 individuals: A multimodal MRI study — Thapaliya et al. "Our study identified altered signal intensity, abnormal tissue microstructure, and imbalanced neurochemicals in long COVID and COVID-19 recovered healthy controls. Importantly, we also found a significant association between T1w/T2w signal intensity and clinical measures, suggesting a potential link between myelin content and symptom severity."
December 12, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
tomkindlon.bsky.social
From NCNED in Australia:

Altered brain tissue microstructure and neurochemical profiles in long COVID and recovered COVID-19 individuals: A multimodal MRI study

Free fulltext:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

#LongCovid #COVIDBrain #NeuroPASC
Abstract Background Diverse neurological symptoms are experienced by long COVID and COVID-19 recovered individuals. However, the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 in the brain of both groups are underexplored. This study aimed to investigate changes in tissue microstructural and brain neurochemical levels in long COVID and recovered COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls. Methods We recruited 47 participants (long COVID = 19, COVID-recovered healthy controls = 12, and healthy controls without COVID-19 infection = 16) who underwent 3T MRI scans. We acquired T1 and T2 weighted images to assess myelin signal, diffusion weighted images to assess tissue microstructure, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy data to estimate brain neurochemical levels. Findings Our multimodal MRI study showed altered T1w/T2w signal between long COVID vs COVID-recovered-healthy controls, long COVID vs healthy controls, and COVID-recovered-healthy controls vs healthy controls. Furthermore, T1w/T2w signal intensity was significantly correlated with physical and cognitive function. Diffusion weighted imaging also showed altered tissue microstructure in these three group comparisons. However, brain neurochemicals were only significantly different between long COVID vs COVID-recovered-healthy controls. Interpretation This is one of the first studies to report different myelin signal and brain neurochemical changes between long COVID, COVID-recovered-healthy controls, and healthy controls without SARS-CoV-2 infection. These brain changes provide compelling evidence for the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 on brain function.
November 30, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
michaelwestbiz.bsky.social
gee thanks Albo, got to give me data to some mob called Yoti ... to get in to my own account ... who are these Yoti people, can you vouch for them?
#auspol #mediaban
December 10, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
drcsp.bsky.social
I am shocked that this study of fatigue in Long Covid patients utilizing deception in the research design was IRB approved. Deception is profoundly disrespectful & unethical in this context and shows a lack of judgment, lack of creativity in addressing research issues, and shallow understanding.
tomkindlon.bsky.social Tom Kindlon @tomkindlon.bsky.social · Dec 9
Well done & thanks to these healthcare professionals (PTs)/similar ( @sunsopeningband.bsky.social @profmarkfaghy.bsky.social et al) for this new e-letter 👏

"In the Long Run, Misleading Participants Will Harm More Than Help in Long COVID Research"

bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1...

#LongCOVID #PEM
Published on: 9 December 2025 In the Long Run, Misleading Participants Will Harm More Than Help in Long COVID Research Todd E. Davenport, Professor & Chair University of the Pacific, Workwell Foundation Other Contributors: Staci R. Stevens, Exercise Physiologist Mark A. Faghy, Professor Jessica DeMars, Respiratory Physiotherapist J. Mark Van Ness, Professor & Chair Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice are bedrock ethical principles in science. They are especially important when studying vulnerable populations. Billias et al. argue that deception is necessary to assure the internal validity of their exercise study involving people living with long COVID.[1] Here, we assert the use of deception is ethically indefensible and scientifically unnecessary in this population. It undermines informed consent, increases risks for harms, exploits the vulnerability of participants, and erodes trust in science and health care, all while exploring a question that already has been asked and answered satisfactorily enough to inform clinical recommendations. Physical activity is a common trigger for post-exertional malaise (PEM),[2 3] which is common in people living with long COVID.[4] PEM involves an impaired recovery response from exertion that is distinct from deconditioning.[5 6] The hallmark of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is PEM. Exercise is no longer recommended in contemporary clinical guidance for ME/CFS, because an accumulation of evidence from research and lived experience suggests it is likely to cause avoidable harms.[7] Exercise prescription without adequate safeguards for PEM even may be considered negligent practice. The protocol acknowledges people living with PEM often worsen with exercise dosages that may be appropriate for other conditions.[1] Several of the authors of this protocol also previously published a systematic review acknowledging risks of exercise in people with long COVID related to PEM.[8] However, the author…
December 10, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
meganjherbert.bsky.social
I choose KazGPT every time and you should too
kazcooke.bsky.social Kaz Cooke @kazcooke.bsky.social · Dec 10
Years & years of research & kind, medical expert help and evidence-based checking has gone into the foundation & updating of my books while techbros just let Chat GPT extrude crap. They don't care about newborn babies, or mums or any of us. So dangerous. So dispiriting. Anyway, latest editions:
December 10, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
thewhn.bsky.social
We’re only beginning to understand the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2. Prevention still works, and the tools exist — masks, clean air, testing, and policy action. We just have to use them.

Read the full WHN article → whn.global/long_covid/l...

#COVID #COVID19 #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention
Long COVID in Context: Prevalence, Search Interest, and Funding - WHN
By Gregory Kirchhoff, Matthew Martin, and Luke S The exact risk of developing Long COVID after a SARS-CoV-2 infection remains difficult to quantify. Research on the condition is still relatively young...
whn.global
December 10, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
thewhn.bsky.social
Long COVID isn’t a fringe issue, it’s one of the most common chronic conditions in the U.S., yet treated like an afterthought. Symptoms vary, onset is delayed, and stigma keeps people quiet. The result? Millions suffering with little recognition or support.
Dark, grainy world-map background dotted with red circles, WHN logo at top left and a small page link at top right. Large white headline in a black box: “Long COVID is everywhere, so why are we ignoring it?” Sub-text below in white: “Five years in, there’s still no universal definition for Long COVID — but we do know it’s common, serious, and massively underestimated. The gap between its impact and the attention it gets is one of the pandemic’s biggest failures.” Footer line: “The World Health Network is a network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.” (Tiny link at top: whn.global/long-covid-in-context-prevalence-search-interest-and-funding/) Blurred newspaper/magazine background with the word “COVID-19”; WHN logo top left and page link top right. Big white headline in a black box: “The numbers are huge, but the response is not.” Body text: “Long COVID affects 5.3% of U.S. adults — about 90× the threshold for a ‘rare’ disease. Some studies estimate up to 36% globally. Millions of children are also affected. But funding? Awareness? Government response? Nowhere near proportional.” Footer line: “The World Health Network is a network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.” (Link: whn.global/long-covid-in-context-prevalence-search-interest-and-funding/) Photo of a masked young person outdoors with foliage behind them. WHN logo top left and page link top right. Large headline in a black box: “So… why this disconnect?” Bullet list in white text: • “Symptoms vary across every organ system” • “Onset can be delayed by weeks or months” • “Fatigue, hair loss, cognitive issues get dismissed or misattributed” • “Stigma + medical gaslighting shut people down” • “Psychological defenses (denial, rationalization) help society look away” Inset black box caption: “The result? A crisis hiding in plain sight.” Footer line: “The World Health Network is a network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.” (Link: whn.global/long-covid-in-context-prevalence-search-interest-and-funding/) Close-up portrait of a person wearing an N95 respirator; WHN logo top left and page link top right. Large headline in a black box: “Here’s the good news… prevention still works.” White text box below: “N95s work, clean air reduces transmission, and layered precautions protect both individuals and communities, and together, these tools directly reduce how many people develop Long COVID.” Footer line: “The World Health Network is a network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.” (Link: whn.global/long-covid-in-context-prevalence-search-interest-and-funding/)
December 10, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social
This. People are contagious before symptoms start — masking protects everyone.

#COVIDisNotOver #COVIDisAirborne #MaskUp😷

Source: x.com/haziethompso...
A tweet from Hazie Thompson (@hazie.thompson) reads: “Once you are symptomatic it’s too late to protect those around you, let alone yourself. Mask early, mask often.” The post shows it was published at 4:21 AM on December 9, 2025, and has 6,727 views.
December 10, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
tomkindlon.bsky.social
USA Today: Chronic fatigue syndrome drains millions of people, and still defies easy answers

www.usatoday.com/story/life/h...

Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update

#MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #MEcfs #CFS #PwME
USA Today Chronic fatigue syndrome drains millions of people, and still defies easy answers An introductory article which uses the term CFS instead ME/CFS (ME gets a brief mention). Post-exertional malaise is mentioned but the overall tone is how the illness can be managed without explaining how severe and disabling it can be.
December 10, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
kazcooke.bsky.social
The awful toll of 'freebirth'. If Stacey & her family were told by a 'doula' that post-partum haemorrhage was 'extremely rare' that's so misleading. It's 'rare' but a well-known complication - it can kill very fast. The hospital staff will all have seen it before. www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
Hospital exhausted blood supply in attempt to save wellness influencer after freebirth
Shortly after her catastrophic freebirth, paramedics found an “agitated” Stacey Warnecke lying on the floor next to her birthing pool in a small, dark room, a court has heard.
www.theage.com.au
December 10, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
jeremypoxon.bsky.social
#BREAKING: The Commonwealth Ombudsman has published their investigation into the Targeted Compliance Framework & Mutual Obligations system

Their findings on the Department's administration of many parts of the system are incredibly damning 👇
Fairness in the Targeted Compliance Framework: when decisions are made beyond your control An investigation into the remediation of income support cancellations and oversight of decisions made by emmployment service providers affecting job seekers in the Targeted Compliance Framework DEWR’s approach to remediating the unlawful cancellation decisions is not fair or reasonable. • Providers give insufficient information to Services Australia to conduct capability assessments and mutual obligation failure investigations of job seekers. • Services Australia do not provide sufficient written explanation of penalty decisions to job seekers. • DEWR and Services Australia’s information for job seekers on how to seek a review or make a complaint lacks transparency, clarity and accessibility. • A high rate of provider decisions are overturned. Fairness in the TCF: when decisions are made beyond your control Page 7 of 89 • Automatic suspensions in the Penalty Zone undermine a job seeker’s ability to challenge penalties. • DEWR’s assessment of provider performance lacks transparency. • DEWR should continue to improve its oversight of providers, utilising their complaints mechanism. • Compliance activities against providers do not appear to align to the high number of overturned rates of provider decisions.
December 8, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Reposted by Imelda R
jeremypoxon.bsky.social
New @antipovertycentre.org statement on this second Ombo report into the Department's unlawful administration of the mutual obligations system apcentre.substack.com/p/vague-and-...
“Vague and incoherent”: Ombudsman on the government’s plan for people affected by unlawful Centrelink payment cancellations The Antipoverty Centre Dec 09, 2025 Today the Commonwealth Ombudsman released a second damning investigation into the employment department’s administration of compulsory activities known as “mutual” obligations, following an August report on unlawful Centrelink payment cancellations. Around 1 million people on Centrelink payments1 are forced to participate in compulsory activities that cause harm and waste time. The Antipoverty Centre and other welfare advocates are calling for all penalties to stop immediately, including payment suspensions.
December 8, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Reposted by Imelda R
thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social
US Weekly COVID update: Dec 8, 2025

🔸1 in 102 Actively Infectious
🔸479,000 New Daily Infections
🔸2,940,000 Infections In The Past Week
🔸225,000,000 Infections in 2025
🔸147,000 to 590,000 Weekly Long COVID Cases
🔸900 to 1,400 Weekly Deaths

Source: pmc19.com/data/
A map of the United States titled “COVID-19 Heat Map, Based on CDC Wastewater Data and Levels (U.S.) – Dec 8, 2025.” The map shows each state shaded by wastewater-indicated COVID-19 transmission levels. Colors represent: Very High (dark red), High (red), Moderate (orange), Low (yellow), Very Low (pale yellow), and Limited Data (diagonal hash lines). Nevada is shown in dark red (very high). Iowa, Arkansas, and Massachusetts are shaded red (high). Several states including Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana, and Georgia are orange (moderate). Much of the country is pale yellow (very low), including California, Texas, Florida, and New York. Some states such as Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic have limited data indicated by diagonal striping. A note at the bottom reads: “Five states have moderate to very high transmission. In the ‘Very Low’ regions, there is considerable variability, with some wastewater sites showing higher levels; see in the next two charts though that levels are exceptionally low in some places, such as Hawai’i, DC, and California.” The source is listed as Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative (PMC) and the map credits Michael Hoerger. Data last updated 11/29/25. A data slide titled “National COVID-19 Estimates (U.S.) – Dec 8, 2025” from the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative. It lists current estimated COVID-19 impacts using large blue text and two-column tables. Under Infections, values are: Proportion Actively Infectious: 1 in 102 (1%) New Daily Infections: 479,000 Infections the Past Week: 2,940,000 Infections in 2025: 225,000,000 Cumulative Infections per Person: 4.84 Under Long COVID, estimates are shaded light blue: Long COVID Cases from New Daily Infections: 24,000 to 96,000 Long COVID Cases from New Weekly Infections: 147,000 to 590,000 Under Excess Deaths, also shaded light blue: Excess Deaths from New Daily Infections: 140 to 240 Excess Deaths from New Weekly Infections: 900 to 1,400 A short paragraph at the bottom states: New daily infections are estimated at 479,000 for December 8. Late November transmission was flat like last year, unlike early-pandemic years where rates increased before Thanksgiving. A table titled “COVID-19 State Prevalence Estimates – Dec 8, 2025” from the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative. It lists U.S. states with estimated active COVID-19 prevalence and the probability that someone is infectious in rooms of different sizes (10, 25, 50, 100 people). Columns include: State, CDC Level, PMC Estimate % Actively Infectious, and four risk columns. The rows show wide variation. Examples near the top: Alabama – Moderate; 1 in 47 infectious (2.1%); probability 19% in a room of 10 up to 89% in a room of 100 Alaska – Very Low; 1 in 220 (0.5%); 4% to 37% Highlighted in red: Arizona – Very High*; 1 in 18 infectious (5.7%); 44% in a room of 10, >99% in a room of 100 Indiana – High; 1 in 30 (3.3%); 29% in a room of 10, 97% in a room of 100 Other examples: California – Very Low; 1 in 574 (0.2%) Florida – Very Low; 1 in 494 (0.2%) Illinois – Very Low; 1 in 112 (0.9%) Michigan – Low*; 1 in 87 (1.2%) Minnesota – Low; 1 in 99 (1.0%) A note indicates *Limited data reporting for some entries. Bottom text: Data last updated 11/29/25. A table titled “COVID-19 State Prevalence Estimates – Dec 8, 2025” from the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative. It lists U.S. states alphabetically from Missouri through Wyoming. Columns show: State, CDC Level, PMC Estimate of percent actively infectious (as “1 in X”), and four columns estimating the chance that at least one person is infectious in rooms of 10, 25, 50, or 100 people. Most states are labeled Very Low with estimated infection levels ranging from 1 in ~100 to 1 in ~300 people, giving 3–8% risk in a room of 10 and 20–60% risk in a room of 100. Highlighted in red: Vermont — High; 1 in 35 (2.8%); 25% risk in a room of 10, rising to 94% in a room of 100. Other examples: New Jersey — Very Low; 1 in 217 (0.5%); 5–37% infection risk depending on room size. Ohio — Low; 1 in 70 (1.4%); 13–76% risk depending on group size. Oklahoma — Low*; 1 in 68 (1.5%); 14–77% risk. West Virginia — Low; 1 in 76 (1.3%); 12–73% risk. A note states: Limited reporting; ND has no data, averages MN, MT & SD. Bottom right text: Data last updated 11/29/25.
December 9, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
drdemography.com
Australia’s world-first under-16s social media ban will damage young people’s political education theconversation.com/the-under-16...
The under-16s social media ban will damage young people’s political education. Teachers need better support
We know that Australian children’s civics education is at an all-time low. The government’s social media ban may make this worse.
theconversation.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Reposted by Imelda R
thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social
For the First Time This Century, Child Mortality Is Likely to Rise.

"For the first time in 25 years, child mortality rates for preventable diseases are projected to increase, after having declined for 25 years."

Source: archive.md/9AqXz
A screenshot of a TIME magazine article. The red TIME logo appears at the top. The headline reads: “For the First Time This Century, Child Mortality Is Likely to Rise.” Two topic labels appear under the headline: “HEALTH” and “PUBLIC HEALTH.” At the bottom is a small profile image of journalist Alice Park with the title “Senior Correspondent.” The article is dated Dec 6, 2025, 3:43 AM AET. For the first time in 25 years, child mortality from preventable diseases is projected to rise — reversing decades of progress. This shouldn’t be happening.
December 8, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Reposted by Imelda R
thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social
7,607 aged care COVID deaths since beginning of pandemic

🔸686 reported deaths in 2020
🔸226 reported deaths in 2021
🔸3,855 reported deaths in 2022
🔸1,359 reported deaths in 2023
🔸1,078 reported deaths in 2024
🔸403 reported deaths in 2025

@Mark_Butler_MP @SamRaeMP
December 8, 2025 at 1:29 AM