Mel
@melinblue.bsky.social
Epidemiologist and mom in Baltimore. Maternal and child health, evaluation, measurement.
Reposted by Mel
Here is the Department of Homeland Security touting this new ban by describing the (among others) spouses and children of U.S. citizens coming on visas as "foreign invaders."
It has never been about legal versus illegal. They hate legal immigration. They want to stop it. That's the story.
It has never been about legal versus illegal. They hate legal immigration. They want to stop it. That's the story.
December 16, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Here is the Department of Homeland Security touting this new ban by describing the (among others) spouses and children of U.S. citizens coming on visas as "foreign invaders."
It has never been about legal versus illegal. They hate legal immigration. They want to stop it. That's the story.
It has never been about legal versus illegal. They hate legal immigration. They want to stop it. That's the story.
If you’re looking for an alternative to doomscrolling, this whole thread is a fun read (read the QTed thread on Cook’s Illustrated drama first)
Folks, I did it. I made the Cooks Illustrated competing pear crisps, and then I made my friends judge them blind.
November 19, 2025 at 3:43 AM
If you’re looking for an alternative to doomscrolling, this whole thread is a fun read (read the QTed thread on Cook’s Illustrated drama first)
It’s really both, and we should be able to say that virtual/no school did have impacts (esp for certain cohorts) while also acknowledging that it may have been necessary.
My kid did virtual K and her entire cohort (and the virtual 1st grade cohort to a lesser extent) has struggled with writing.
My kid did virtual K and her entire cohort (and the virtual 1st grade cohort to a lesser extent) has struggled with writing.
Every time Covid and learning loss hits the news, people act like the only factor is folk staying home and learning online, rather than… Living through a global mass death event.
November 15, 2025 at 10:01 AM
It’s really both, and we should be able to say that virtual/no school did have impacts (esp for certain cohorts) while also acknowledging that it may have been necessary.
My kid did virtual K and her entire cohort (and the virtual 1st grade cohort to a lesser extent) has struggled with writing.
My kid did virtual K and her entire cohort (and the virtual 1st grade cohort to a lesser extent) has struggled with writing.
Reposted by Mel
This is fucking brilliant, and you should read it: lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:24 PM
This is fucking brilliant, and you should read it: lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Reposted by Mel
THIS!👏👏👏
Children’s books are an art form. Writing one requires skill (and not a little imagination/weirdness). Being a random celebrity does not give you that skill.
If you are a celebrity and you love kid’s books, use your platform to promote great ones.
Children’s books are an art form. Writing one requires skill (and not a little imagination/weirdness). Being a random celebrity does not give you that skill.
If you are a celebrity and you love kid’s books, use your platform to promote great ones.
November 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM
THIS!👏👏👏
Children’s books are an art form. Writing one requires skill (and not a little imagination/weirdness). Being a random celebrity does not give you that skill.
If you are a celebrity and you love kid’s books, use your platform to promote great ones.
Children’s books are an art form. Writing one requires skill (and not a little imagination/weirdness). Being a random celebrity does not give you that skill.
If you are a celebrity and you love kid’s books, use your platform to promote great ones.
Reposted by Mel
🗣️ celebrities are ruining the children’s book industry!
November 4, 2025 at 12:56 AM
🗣️ celebrities are ruining the children’s book industry!
“Don’t normalize horrific nazi imagery” shouldn’t be a controversial statement. (I also think ceding the moral high ground here is not a winning approach)
i don’t know a single person who has an SS tattoo, much less someone who kept a large one on his chest for 20 years and then ran for senate *while keeping it on*. this isn’t normal, and the widespread attempts among democrats to normalize it for the sake of “winning” are not good
You are such a breath of fresh air after being told by 100s of ppl on this app that Graham is a Nazi & I am a Nazi for supporting him. Do they think these massive crowds - from hs students like my niece to therapists & teachers like my brothers & artists like my Taiwanese wife — are all Nazis?
November 3, 2025 at 2:30 AM
“Don’t normalize horrific nazi imagery” shouldn’t be a controversial statement. (I also think ceding the moral high ground here is not a winning approach)
Has anyone written a history of private schools in #Baltimore (or other east coast cities) and their impact on public schools? #academicsky
The number of private schools (esp non parochial schools) and the fraction of the city’s mid-to-upper class that send their kids there really blows my mind
The number of private schools (esp non parochial schools) and the fraction of the city’s mid-to-upper class that send their kids there really blows my mind
November 2, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Has anyone written a history of private schools in #Baltimore (or other east coast cities) and their impact on public schools? #academicsky
The number of private schools (esp non parochial schools) and the fraction of the city’s mid-to-upper class that send their kids there really blows my mind
The number of private schools (esp non parochial schools) and the fraction of the city’s mid-to-upper class that send their kids there really blows my mind
Same energy: asked a new dad how it was going and he said “It’s actually been pretty easy! [long pause] My wife might not agree”
Today at an after-hours work event I mentioned that my husband cooks two nights a week, and my coworker (exact same job as me) said “Good for him! Don’t tell my wife 😃”
October 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Same energy: asked a new dad how it was going and he said “It’s actually been pretty easy! [long pause] My wife might not agree”
In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand:
Didn’t adjust for confounders
Didn’t adjust for confounders
In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand:
Archives banned making copies.
Archives banned making copies.
In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand:
New library catalogue website.
New library catalogue website.
October 21, 2025 at 4:40 AM
In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand:
Didn’t adjust for confounders
Didn’t adjust for confounders
This is quite a take from a party that thinks women should be having more babies…
DeSantis said “Most people, particularly under 50, what they really need is a catastrophic plan that’s affordable, where then they can pay whatever they’re doing out of a health savings account.”
floridapolitics.com/archives/761...
floridapolitics.com/archives/761...
Ron DeSantis says people under 50 don’t have much use for comprehensive health insurance
'Catastrophic care' should be enough for them.
floridapolitics.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:57 PM
This is quite a take from a party that thinks women should be having more babies…
I have many non-niche ones, but I n the niche variety:
Monetized youtube channels should not be allowed to feature children
Private schools should be required to follow the same regulations as public schools
Trampoline parks should be heavily regulated or banned
Monetized youtube channels should not be allowed to feature children
Private schools should be required to follow the same regulations as public schools
Trampoline parks should be heavily regulated or banned
Do you have any extremely niche, but serious, ethical stances?
October 19, 2025 at 5:35 PM
I have many non-niche ones, but I n the niche variety:
Monetized youtube channels should not be allowed to feature children
Private schools should be required to follow the same regulations as public schools
Trampoline parks should be heavily regulated or banned
Monetized youtube channels should not be allowed to feature children
Private schools should be required to follow the same regulations as public schools
Trampoline parks should be heavily regulated or banned
Reposted by Mel
suza kenyaba is the name of
the girl in the link picture. she was five
the girl in the link picture. she was five
Everyone should read this devastating report: Trump’s sabotage of USAID stranded lifesaving medicines — fueling chaos and leaving children to die.
His policies are destroying our reputation and influence overseas and literally killing kids. No words.
His policies are destroying our reputation and influence overseas and literally killing kids. No words.
Trump’s USAID pause stranded lifesaving drugs. Children died waiting.
USAID antimalarial and HIV supplies valued at nearly $140 million were delayed in the first half of the year or not delivered at all due to the Trump administration’s foreign aid pause, The Post found...
www.washingtonpost.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:31 AM
suza kenyaba is the name of
the girl in the link picture. she was five
the girl in the link picture. she was five
Reposted by Mel
And then you build out. Klein suggests that you build out from national figures who are deeply committed to hate, are tightly tied to the White House. That's a strategy, but seems deeply flawed. 9/
September 29, 2025 at 10:40 AM
And then you build out. Klein suggests that you build out from national figures who are deeply committed to hate, are tightly tied to the White House. That's a strategy, but seems deeply flawed. 9/
Reposted by Mel
The point is that Klein is also making a tactical mistake. These actors are not signing up for protecting democracy, they are all-in its destruction. The value in spending time with them is limited to say the least. 4/
September 29, 2025 at 10:28 AM
The point is that Klein is also making a tactical mistake. These actors are not signing up for protecting democracy, they are all-in its destruction. The value in spending time with them is limited to say the least. 4/
🤬🤬🤬
We're back. ACIP member: "Pediatric hospitalizations are often a soft call". Implies some hospitalizations are clinicians being overly cautious and "maybe the parents are just tired" 😳
September 19, 2025 at 5:44 PM
🤬🤬🤬
Reposted by Mel
Vaccines don't cause birth defects and that includes COVID vaccines.
And thanks to Carol Hayes of American College of Nurse Midwives for speaking up at the ACIP meeting
vikilovesfacs.bsky.social feel free to add more - #IDSky + #MedSky.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/no-...
And thanks to Carol Hayes of American College of Nurse Midwives for speaking up at the ACIP meeting
vikilovesfacs.bsky.social feel free to add more - #IDSky + #MedSky.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/no-...
No increase in birth defects found following COVID vaccination in pregnancy
www.cidrap.umn.edu
September 19, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Vaccines don't cause birth defects and that includes COVID vaccines.
And thanks to Carol Hayes of American College of Nurse Midwives for speaking up at the ACIP meeting
vikilovesfacs.bsky.social feel free to add more - #IDSky + #MedSky.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/no-...
And thanks to Carol Hayes of American College of Nurse Midwives for speaking up at the ACIP meeting
vikilovesfacs.bsky.social feel free to add more - #IDSky + #MedSky.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/no-...
Reposted by Mel
Biggest story in the world, told in the mainstream press perfectly well:
AP/PBS headline: TRUMP'S MOVES AGAINST MEDIA OUTLETS MIRROR AUTHORITARIAN APPROACHES TO SILENCING DISSENT
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
AP/PBS headline: TRUMP'S MOVES AGAINST MEDIA OUTLETS MIRROR AUTHORITARIAN APPROACHES TO SILENCING DISSENT
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
Trump's moves against media outlets mirror authoritarian approaches to silencing dissent
Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has waged an aggressive campaign against the media unlike any in modern U.S. history, making moves similar to those of authoritarian leaders that...
www.pbs.org
September 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Biggest story in the world, told in the mainstream press perfectly well:
AP/PBS headline: TRUMP'S MOVES AGAINST MEDIA OUTLETS MIRROR AUTHORITARIAN APPROACHES TO SILENCING DISSENT
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
AP/PBS headline: TRUMP'S MOVES AGAINST MEDIA OUTLETS MIRROR AUTHORITARIAN APPROACHES TO SILENCING DISSENT
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
Reposted by Mel
The math showing one challenge in dealing with rampant scientific misinformation from the Trump administration.
1 false claim from Marty Makary that COVID19 vaccines caused 25 pediatric death led to
10 pages of rebuttal from DPH explaining why he’s wrong based on
5 years of research
1 false claim from Marty Makary that COVID19 vaccines caused 25 pediatric death led to
10 pages of rebuttal from DPH explaining why he’s wrong based on
5 years of research
September 17, 2025 at 2:28 PM
The math showing one challenge in dealing with rampant scientific misinformation from the Trump administration.
1 false claim from Marty Makary that COVID19 vaccines caused 25 pediatric death led to
10 pages of rebuttal from DPH explaining why he’s wrong based on
5 years of research
1 false claim from Marty Makary that COVID19 vaccines caused 25 pediatric death led to
10 pages of rebuttal from DPH explaining why he’s wrong based on
5 years of research
I am a mom and a maternal/child epi. I was thankful to receive the COVID vax in my second pregnancy, and I have gotten both my kids every vaccine asap, including covid. BECAUSE VACCINES SAVE LIVES.
(btw, this is also true of all my colleagues/friends who are peds and epis bc they know the research)
(btw, this is also true of all my colleagues/friends who are peds and epis bc they know the research)
Sen Marshall blames CDC for COVID vaccine, something Trump took credit for. Claims giving a baby a vaccine is ridiculous. This mom wants their children to be given every advantage in life, starting with vaccines.
September 17, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I am a mom and a maternal/child epi. I was thankful to receive the COVID vax in my second pregnancy, and I have gotten both my kids every vaccine asap, including covid. BECAUSE VACCINES SAVE LIVES.
(btw, this is also true of all my colleagues/friends who are peds and epis bc they know the research)
(btw, this is also true of all my colleagues/friends who are peds and epis bc they know the research)
Our #Baltimore weekend: pizza from Zella’s, soccer games for both kids with our neighborhood rec league, playground time and a walk to Bmore Licks for ice cream. And a neighbor gave our son their old hot wheels, so we spent a few hours playing with those.
Yes it’s boring, and that’s the point.
Yes it’s boring, and that’s the point.
September 8, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Our #Baltimore weekend: pizza from Zella’s, soccer games for both kids with our neighborhood rec league, playground time and a walk to Bmore Licks for ice cream. And a neighbor gave our son their old hot wheels, so we spent a few hours playing with those.
Yes it’s boring, and that’s the point.
Yes it’s boring, and that’s the point.
Reposted by Mel
Wyden on RFK Jr: "This committee's unwillingness to swear in this witness is basically a message that it is acceptable to lie to the Senate Finance Committee about hugely important questions like vaccines."
September 4, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Wyden on RFK Jr: "This committee's unwillingness to swear in this witness is basically a message that it is acceptable to lie to the Senate Finance Committee about hugely important questions like vaccines."
Reposted by Mel
Among the most harrowing accounts of abuse: a pregnant woman reportedly bled for days before being taken to a hospital, only to miscarry alone without medical attention. Children as young as 2 were also subjected to neglect, according to the investigation.
Senate Probe Uncovers Allegations of Widespread Abuse in ICE Custody
Led by US senator Jon Ossoff, the investigation cites hundreds of reports since January, including accounts of miscarriages, child neglect, and sexual abuse at ICE detention centers in dozens of state...
www.wired.com
August 19, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Among the most harrowing accounts of abuse: a pregnant woman reportedly bled for days before being taken to a hospital, only to miscarry alone without medical attention. Children as young as 2 were also subjected to neglect, according to the investigation.
Reposted by Mel
As of late last month, the investigation—led by US senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat of Georgia—had unearthed 41 cases of physical and sexual abuse; 14 involving pregnant detainees and 18 involving children.
Senate Probe Uncovers Allegations of Widespread Abuse in ICE Custody
Led by US senator Jon Ossoff, the investigation cites hundreds of reports since January, including accounts of miscarriages, child neglect, and sexual abuse at ICE detention centers in dozens of state...
www.wired.com
August 19, 2025 at 5:19 PM
As of late last month, the investigation—led by US senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat of Georgia—had unearthed 41 cases of physical and sexual abuse; 14 involving pregnant detainees and 18 involving children.