Mel
@melinblue.bsky.social
Epidemiologist and mom in Baltimore. Maternal and child health, evaluation, measurement.
Reposted by Mel
I will die on this lonely hill, telling every undergraduate that comes to me fretting about what they should major in that they should major in whatever they want, while they learn how to read, write, work with data, & speak a foreign language.
👇🎯 Periodic reminder that the right-wing career/salary talking points about the liberal arts are belied by huge piles of data (e.g., news.wisc.edu/new-data-on-...), & the complicity of Democrats & university administrators in repeating those right-wing talking points is a major part of then problem.
February 13, 2026 at 7:34 PM
I will die on this lonely hill, telling every undergraduate that comes to me fretting about what they should major in that they should major in whatever they want, while they learn how to read, write, work with data, & speak a foreign language.
US (grew up between US and EU), English. Fire engine or fire truck, used interchangeably
February 10, 2026 at 5:16 PM
US (grew up between US and EU), English. Fire engine or fire truck, used interchangeably
This. I would make up a song where all the words were no/yes, and it (usually) would surprise/annoy/distract my toddler long enough that he would stop.
February 5, 2026 at 6:13 PM
This. I would make up a song where all the words were no/yes, and it (usually) would surprise/annoy/distract my toddler long enough that he would stop.
This, and in the US I’d also be concerned about heavy metals (lead, etc) and other contaminants. Not sure how much this applies in the UK. But I would definitely talk to a ped.
January 30, 2026 at 2:41 AM
This, and in the US I’d also be concerned about heavy metals (lead, etc) and other contaminants. Not sure how much this applies in the UK. But I would definitely talk to a ped.
Reposted by Mel
they summarily executed a fucking VA health researcher. our field cannot just ignore this. or just release angry statements and move on.
and if this is all the same person, was involved in this VA funded study through the Minneapolis VA
www.vacsp.research.va.gov/CSP_2004/CSP...
www.vacsp.research.va.gov/CSP_2004/CSP...
VA.gov | Veterans Affairs
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
www.vacsp.research.va.gov
January 24, 2026 at 7:05 PM
they summarily executed a fucking VA health researcher. our field cannot just ignore this. or just release angry statements and move on.
It’s being shared as best practice throughout MD, including in Baltimore, central MD, and the DC burbs, which all have different conditions. It also feels very much like they’re claiming to speak for all immigrants/potential ICE targets.
January 19, 2026 at 7:07 AM
It’s being shared as best practice throughout MD, including in Baltimore, central MD, and the DC burbs, which all have different conditions. It also feels very much like they’re claiming to speak for all immigrants/potential ICE targets.
When we budgeted for kids, we didn’t realize that we would need a berry budget.
Although my almost 4 yo has decided that he now only eats apples, which I am almost sad about. End of an era.
Although my almost 4 yo has decided that he now only eats apples, which I am almost sad about. End of an era.
January 15, 2026 at 3:47 PM
When we budgeted for kids, we didn’t realize that we would need a berry budget.
Although my almost 4 yo has decided that he now only eats apples, which I am almost sad about. End of an era.
Although my almost 4 yo has decided that he now only eats apples, which I am almost sad about. End of an era.
Reposted by Mel
Somewhere along the way our political coverage became so obsessed with "neutrality" that calling a monstrous policy the monstrosity that it is became a bigger no-no than the monstrous policy itself. Pointing out the cartoon villain levels of racism is more verboten than the racism itself.
January 14, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Somewhere along the way our political coverage became so obsessed with "neutrality" that calling a monstrous policy the monstrosity that it is became a bigger no-no than the monstrous policy itself. Pointing out the cartoon villain levels of racism is more verboten than the racism itself.
Big east coast cities all have metered on street parking in commercial areas, most of which now uses your license plate number (which is why I know mine!). Much less common in the burbs
January 15, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Big east coast cities all have metered on street parking in commercial areas, most of which now uses your license plate number (which is why I know mine!). Much less common in the burbs
Beg to differ, as someone who was a liberal teen in IN in the 90s.
This is also why I roll my eyes when conservatives complain about how hard it is to be conservative. Try being progressive (or different in any way) in a red state.
This is also why I roll my eyes when conservatives complain about how hard it is to be conservative. Try being progressive (or different in any way) in a red state.
January 15, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Beg to differ, as someone who was a liberal teen in IN in the 90s.
This is also why I roll my eyes when conservatives complain about how hard it is to be conservative. Try being progressive (or different in any way) in a red state.
This is also why I roll my eyes when conservatives complain about how hard it is to be conservative. Try being progressive (or different in any way) in a red state.
Not what I said (in fact, the opposite of what I said, if you read down the thread).
Note that the original quote does not mention abuse. YOU are the one making that leap because the author used the word “force” (which is a word I hear my kid and her friends use 50 times/day).
Note that the original quote does not mention abuse. YOU are the one making that leap because the author used the word “force” (which is a word I hear my kid and her friends use 50 times/day).
January 12, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Not what I said (in fact, the opposite of what I said, if you read down the thread).
Note that the original quote does not mention abuse. YOU are the one making that leap because the author used the word “force” (which is a word I hear my kid and her friends use 50 times/day).
Note that the original quote does not mention abuse. YOU are the one making that leap because the author used the word “force” (which is a word I hear my kid and her friends use 50 times/day).
It’s a tricky age, because you want to respect their increasing agency, but at the same time they still need some rules, and they don’t (necessarily) have the maturity to make medical decisions.
I know there are also cases of abuse, but seems like quite a leap to assume that here.
I know there are also cases of abuse, but seems like quite a leap to assume that here.
January 12, 2026 at 11:49 AM
It’s a tricky age, because you want to respect their increasing agency, but at the same time they still need some rules, and they don’t (necessarily) have the maturity to make medical decisions.
I know there are also cases of abuse, but seems like quite a leap to assume that here.
I know there are also cases of abuse, but seems like quite a leap to assume that here.