Dr Karen Schafheutle
@kschafheutle.bsky.social
Environmental biologist, epidemiologist, translator & interpreter and all round lover of language 🏴🇩🇪
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
What Steve said. There has never been a study in which high-quality, well-fitting masks were actually WORN that did not show a significant impact on disease transmission. Many mask studies failed to take account of post-allocation confounders (non-adherence + non-mask people choosing to mask).
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 11:26 AM
What Steve said. There has never been a study in which high-quality, well-fitting masks were actually WORN that did not show a significant impact on disease transmission. Many mask studies failed to take account of post-allocation confounders (non-adherence + non-mask people choosing to mask).
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
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 Dr Karen Schafheutle
“Hard won gains on oral health are going into reverse," says @eddiecrouch.bsky.social
“Government need to double down - and deliver promised reforms and vital investment."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/dentists-england-survey-rotting-aohs-b2880872.html
“Government need to double down - and deliver promised reforms and vital investment."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/dentists-england-survey-rotting-aohs-b2880872.html
December 10, 2025 at 8:04 AM
“Hard won gains on oral health are going into reverse," says @eddiecrouch.bsky.social
“Government need to double down - and deliver promised reforms and vital investment."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/dentists-england-survey-rotting-aohs-b2880872.html
“Government need to double down - and deliver promised reforms and vital investment."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/dentists-england-survey-rotting-aohs-b2880872.html
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
The decline of democracy in the US means you can’t visit the US if you commented on the decline of democracy in the US
December 10, 2025 at 1:53 AM
The decline of democracy in the US means you can’t visit the US if you commented on the decline of democracy in the US
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
this is insane
New Home Office impact assessment finds that cutting skilled and social care visas will cost the UK up to £10 billion with a central estimate of -£5.4 billion.
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
December 9, 2025 at 6:24 PM
this is insane
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
In latest "Patriot" news:
The CPS has named three more Ukip/Brexit Party MEPs who appear to have followed the script provided to Nathan Gill by Oleg Voloshyn when interviewed by pro-Russian TV in 2019, bringing the total to *eight*. 👀~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The CPS has named three more Ukip/Brexit Party MEPs who appear to have followed the script provided to Nathan Gill by Oleg Voloshyn when interviewed by pro-Russian TV in 2019, bringing the total to *eight*. 👀~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Three more Farage bloc MEPs alleged to have followed Russian asset’s script
At least eight MEPs elected for Ukip or Brexit party now known to have been focus of efforts by jailed Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:45 AM
In latest "Patriot" news:
The CPS has named three more Ukip/Brexit Party MEPs who appear to have followed the script provided to Nathan Gill by Oleg Voloshyn when interviewed by pro-Russian TV in 2019, bringing the total to *eight*. 👀~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The CPS has named three more Ukip/Brexit Party MEPs who appear to have followed the script provided to Nathan Gill by Oleg Voloshyn when interviewed by pro-Russian TV in 2019, bringing the total to *eight*. 👀~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
"History shows that simply saying we want something from Europe doesn’t make it happen – acting as if the challenge is in us deciding our objectives and the easy part is Europe agreeing."
Level-headed sense from @stellacreasy.bsky.social. ~AA
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Level-headed sense from @stellacreasy.bsky.social. ~AA
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Britain is stuck with a failed Brexit that neither citizens nor leaders want. Here are three ways to fix that | Stella Creasy
While those who defend the status quo and those who say ‘simply rejoin’ the EU are both wrong, there is a new mood and a clear opportunity, says Stella Creasy MP, chair of the Labour Movement for Euro...
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:01 AM
"History shows that simply saying we want something from Europe doesn’t make it happen – acting as if the challenge is in us deciding our objectives and the easy part is Europe agreeing."
Level-headed sense from @stellacreasy.bsky.social. ~AA
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Level-headed sense from @stellacreasy.bsky.social. ~AA
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
"Large language models can only predict the next thing a human would say. Train one on texts from the late 1800s and it won’t invent airplanes or rockets. It will channel ideas from that period, when leading scientists thought human flight was impossible." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/o...
Opinion | Don’t Fear the Bubble Bursting
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:11 AM
"Large language models can only predict the next thing a human would say. Train one on texts from the late 1800s and it won’t invent airplanes or rockets. It will channel ideas from that period, when leading scientists thought human flight was impossible." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/o...
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
“When participants used ChatGPT to draft essays, brain scans revealed a 47% drop in neural connectivity across regions associated with memory, language, & critical reasoning.
Their brains worked less, but they felt just as engaged—a kind of metacognitive mirage.”🧪
Their brains worked less, but they felt just as engaged—a kind of metacognitive mirage.”🧪
December 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM
“When participants used ChatGPT to draft essays, brain scans revealed a 47% drop in neural connectivity across regions associated with memory, language, & critical reasoning.
Their brains worked less, but they felt just as engaged—a kind of metacognitive mirage.”🧪
Their brains worked less, but they felt just as engaged—a kind of metacognitive mirage.”🧪
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
“Lo que más me abruma es que la familia de mi marido me pregunte a mí, y no a él, qué compran a los niños”. En navidades, la planificación de regalos, comidas, actividades escolares y compromisos familiares recae sobre las mujeres, generando más estrés
La carga mental de las madres se multiplica en navidades: “Lo que más me abruma es que la familia de mi marido me pregunte a mí, y no a él, qué compran a los niños”
La planificación de regalos, comidas, actividades escolares y compromisos familiares recae principalmente sobre las mujeres, generando más estrés, agotamiento y menor disfrute de estas fechas
social.elpais.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:26 AM
“Lo que más me abruma es que la familia de mi marido me pregunte a mí, y no a él, qué compran a los niños”. En navidades, la planificación de regalos, comidas, actividades escolares y compromisos familiares recae sobre las mujeres, generando más estrés
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
What a wonderful story - and a beautiful illustration of the power of the arts.
Great writing expands our imagination. It helps us to see the world in new ways.
And that has consequences that can never be measured by "average starting salaries" or "contribution to GDP".
Great writing expands our imagination. It helps us to see the world in new ways.
And that has consequences that can never be measured by "average starting salaries" or "contribution to GDP".
December 2, 2025 at 9:35 AM
What a wonderful story - and a beautiful illustration of the power of the arts.
Great writing expands our imagination. It helps us to see the world in new ways.
And that has consequences that can never be measured by "average starting salaries" or "contribution to GDP".
Great writing expands our imagination. It helps us to see the world in new ways.
And that has consequences that can never be measured by "average starting salaries" or "contribution to GDP".
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
This is an excellent, level-headed, informative piece. I'd kill for a government which could discuss the issue with the same sense of objectivity and calm.
Here's this week's column. Please - please - can we stop talking about migration in a way that's completely detached from the facts? www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Net migration is plummeting. Why can’t Labour say so? | Heather Stewart
An honest debate is needed on this polarising topic as sectors such as social care struggle with recruitment
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:48 PM
This is an excellent, level-headed, informative piece. I'd kill for a government which could discuss the issue with the same sense of objectivity and calm.
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
Thank GOD for Andrew Fisher!! FINALLY we get to hear about Spain on #r4today
The fastest growing economy in Europe & outstripping the US as well & how?
Wealth tax, rent controls & a positive integration-focused approach to immigration & asylum!! 🙌👏👏👏
The fastest growing economy in Europe & outstripping the US as well & how?
Wealth tax, rent controls & a positive integration-focused approach to immigration & asylum!! 🙌👏👏👏
November 28, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Thank GOD for Andrew Fisher!! FINALLY we get to hear about Spain on #r4today
The fastest growing economy in Europe & outstripping the US as well & how?
Wealth tax, rent controls & a positive integration-focused approach to immigration & asylum!! 🙌👏👏👏
The fastest growing economy in Europe & outstripping the US as well & how?
Wealth tax, rent controls & a positive integration-focused approach to immigration & asylum!! 🙌👏👏👏
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
And so it begins...
Maybe/hopefully.
Maybe/hopefully.
Malaysia plans to bar children under the age of 16 from social media starting next year, with a close eye to how Australia implements and enforces a similar ban that takes effect next month. Here's what to know.
Malaysia to Ban Children Under 16 From Social Media, Echoing Australia
The announcement on Sunday, which was light on details, came weeks before a similar action takes effect in Australia.
nyti.ms
November 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM
And so it begins...
Maybe/hopefully.
Maybe/hopefully.
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
I see stuff like this and instantly think of one of my favourite H.L. Mencken witticisms:
"Democracy is the theory that voters know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard."
(Great webinar @luketryl.bsky.social.)
"Democracy is the theory that voters know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard."
(Great webinar @luketryl.bsky.social.)
Striking bit of @moreincommonuk.bsky.social's pre-budget briefing (watch in full on their channels). Voters think means-testing winter fuel benefit was *WORSE* that partygate and as bad as profiteering on PPE. And gov't breaking its pledge on tax would be worse than all of the above. 👀👀👀 ~AA
November 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I see stuff like this and instantly think of one of my favourite H.L. Mencken witticisms:
"Democracy is the theory that voters know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard."
(Great webinar @luketryl.bsky.social.)
"Democracy is the theory that voters know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard."
(Great webinar @luketryl.bsky.social.)
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
I implore someone, anyone, in the media…
Do your job
And the next time you have Farage on, please ask him directly:
…what were the motivations behind this?
Do your job
And the next time you have Farage on, please ask him directly:
…what were the motivations behind this?
November 24, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I implore someone, anyone, in the media…
Do your job
And the next time you have Farage on, please ask him directly:
…what were the motivations behind this?
Do your job
And the next time you have Farage on, please ask him directly:
…what were the motivations behind this?
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
“Did Nathan Gill ever say anything you disagree with in return for his bribes from a Kremlin stooge?”
“Did you, in your roles as his boss, friend, mentor & party leader, ever question his full-throated support for an enemy of the UK and if not, why not?”
You can have those for nothing, lads.
“Did you, in your roles as his boss, friend, mentor & party leader, ever question his full-throated support for an enemy of the UK and if not, why not?”
You can have those for nothing, lads.
November 22, 2025 at 11:23 AM
“Did Nathan Gill ever say anything you disagree with in return for his bribes from a Kremlin stooge?”
“Did you, in your roles as his boss, friend, mentor & party leader, ever question his full-throated support for an enemy of the UK and if not, why not?”
You can have those for nothing, lads.
“Did you, in your roles as his boss, friend, mentor & party leader, ever question his full-throated support for an enemy of the UK and if not, why not?”
You can have those for nothing, lads.
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
Farage can now be easily boxed in to a corner where his only ‘defence’ becomes: “Yes I spouted Kremlin propaganda & Putin worship but, unlike Nathan Gill, I didn’t need bribes to do it.”
It is, once again, a question of whether interviewers have the temerity to shut down his whining obfuscations.
It is, once again, a question of whether interviewers have the temerity to shut down his whining obfuscations.
November 22, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Farage can now be easily boxed in to a corner where his only ‘defence’ becomes: “Yes I spouted Kremlin propaganda & Putin worship but, unlike Nathan Gill, I didn’t need bribes to do it.”
It is, once again, a question of whether interviewers have the temerity to shut down his whining obfuscations.
It is, once again, a question of whether interviewers have the temerity to shut down his whining obfuscations.
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
November 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
That awkward moment when your star columnist was responsible... and you have to write headlines around the Boris shaped elephant in the newsroom
November 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
That awkward moment when your star columnist was responsible... and you have to write headlines around the Boris shaped elephant in the newsroom
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Covid inquiry live: ‘Inexcusable’ delays under Johnson led to 23,000 deaths
Lockdowns may have been avoided if Boris Johnson’s government had acted faster, damning report finds
www.thetimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
Is Piggy referring to his attempted coup on January 6th?
November 20, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Is Piggy referring to his attempted coup on January 6th?
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social - looking to Denmark for winning ideas was yet another stroke of genius.
November 19, 2025 at 1:11 PM
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social - looking to Denmark for winning ideas was yet another stroke of genius.
Reposted by Dr Karen Schafheutle
On Labour MPs in a dark place. Featuring King Lear. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Starmer’s squandering of a historic election victory is a tragedy nearing its finale | Rafael Behr
The tactics that gave Labour its huge majority in 2024 were no preparation for government – and the prime minister has proved he has nothing more to offer, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:20 AM
On Labour MPs in a dark place. Featuring King Lear. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...