Winn Periyasamy, JD, MPH (They/she, அசுவினி)
LightNews LightNews
banner
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
Winn Periyasamy, JD, MPH (They/she, அசுவினி)
@wperiyasamy.bsky.social
1.9K followers 380 following 320 posts
Personal Sky: views are my own.
Disabled public health & policy analyst.
Words: @theGuardian.com, @thenation.com, City & State NY, etc.
Now: NY Policy by Day, Legoing Always
Then: @FordhamLawNYC @ColumbiaMSPH @BarnardCollege
DE ➡️ PA ➡️ OH ➡️ NY
Posts Replies Media Videos
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
Despite personal challenges, the last 3+ years were some of my happiest, esp bc of the incredible city, state & federal staffers I got to call my colleagues & friends. Aways going to root these great folks on & one day, I'll be back & hit pension!! For now, always grateful to serve. What's next? /10
Two goofs of different races and genders smile tiredly, one throwing up a peace sign, outside a brown and black building Two south asian goofs pose squinty skeptically while planting their left hands against their mouths, looking down on the camera.
March 22, 2025 at 9:22 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
9/ Finally, the hardest thing to leave about gov is the people. New York is stronger bc of the dedicated public servants who work everyday to support constituent cases, partner w/ community boards, implement budgets that encompass our values. Thank your favorite staffer - here's just a few of mine.
A diverse group of people smile in a beautiful brown and white bar
March 22, 2025 at 9:15 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
8/ It was a dream to work in 1 Centre Street, in a building named after David Dinkins,. BP Levine is a deeply compassionate leader who I have seen firsthand make New York a stronger place. Thank you to him & our team for believing in me.

(A final tribute to the 19th floor bathroom views)
A glorious view of sunset on a busy set of Manhattan streets leading to the bridge
March 22, 2025 at 9:13 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
5/ I loved working on composting and circularity - ensuring we reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions while connecting with each other to fight climate change and preserve our natural spaces. Residential composting is HERE: learn more!

vm.tiktok.com/ZT2t5oMgq/
A green and white graphic describes the following: "Dear Neighbor, Big changes are coming to your front door. On October 6th, every New Yorker will be able to participate in curbside composting! Currently, one-third of what New Yorkers throw away is food scraps and yard waste. This waste often ends up in landfills, where it slowly erodes and releases methane gas that contributes to climate change and the warming of our planet. Composting provides a renewable alternative. It is the process of the process of recycling organic materials—such as food scraps and yard waste—into nutrient-rich fertilizer that benefits our soil and plants. Composting in the city helps us reduce our waste while preserving and protecting our environment. Over the last two years, our office has pushed for curbside composting in Manhattan, and starting this October, residents citywide will be able to participate in composting as easily as taking out your trash or recycling! Starting October 6th, DSNY will begin a free weekly collection of residential buildings’ food scraps and yard waste. DSNY turns this waste into a mix of products, including compost it provides to residents and organizations, fertilizer it distributes or sells off, and gas products it uses to power DEP wastewater treatment systems, to heat homes, and more. Turn thi sleter over to learn more on curpside composting in NYC!" It also shows a description of how composting works. "Starting Oct 6th, all residential buildings in Manhattan will need to separate their yard and food waste from regular trash. DSNY will provide free weekly service for all residential buildings, no-sign up needed. Composting will be picked up on the same day DSNY picks up your recycling. To find your collection schedule, visit: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/forms/collection-schedule. What to Compost: All organic waste such as yard trimmings, fruit and vegetable scraps, meat, bones, dairy, and food-soiled paper products like napkins and paper plates can go into your building’s composting bin for weekly curbside pickup. Bins and Collection: Buildings with four or more units must have a designated storage area and clearly labeled bins for composting. The bins can be lined with any type of bag. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will collect compostable waste once a week, free of charge, on the same day as your recycling and trash. Building owners can order a free brown composting bin for their building from DSNY until October 28, 2024. Additionally, decals explaining what can be composted are available. Visit https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/collection/residents/curbside-composting-manhattan.page for more! Can you still use other composting options? Yes! DSNY has installed smart bins around the borough and citywide that can be opened 24/7 days a week using the NYC Compost App. There are also community food scrap drop off sites operated by local nonprofits and park conservancies. Learn about smart bins and food scrap drop off sites and where you can find them here: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/collection/residents/food-scrap-drop-off.page DSNY holds informational sessions, including for building owners, for New Yorkers interested in better understanding how the new composting requirements impacts them. To register, visit: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/collection/residents/curbside-composting.page. " This is a lot of what is described in the letter.
March 22, 2025 at 9:02 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
Last week was my last w/ MBP @marklevinenyc.bsky.social. Mark was the 1st elected who knew my name. To work for him has been to know someone who lives their external values internally: kind, funny, thoughtful, a guy w/ a big brain, bigger heart.

Next steps soon but for now, a 🧵 of work: 1/
A large group of people of different ages, races, genders stands in a large white oddly shaped room (It's the Natural History Museum)
March 22, 2025 at 8:51 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
I would love this gorgeous, elaborate James Bond songs tribute at the Oscars to be an elaborate play to make Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson pick a new Bond already lol. #Oscars
A photo of a TV in a dresser showing a bunch of beautifully dressed dancers dance a spy themed dance
March 3, 2025 at 1:30 AM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
A quiet kind of sadness has been a frequent friend the last few months, so I aim to remember to look up and look outside, on the chance that I can be surprised by something good each day.

This past day's favorite moment - first Delaware Amtrak platform sunrise of 2025. It never fails to disappoint.
A beautiful blue and orange sunrise on an amtrak train station platform with a few people bundled up and standing here and there waiting for their train
February 19, 2025 at 6:28 AM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
Stayed overnight w/ my person at UPenn's hospital & stumbled on a break into the family caregiver center - a volunteer was telling me they have coffee, tea, games, a massage chair, rooms for quiet calls, naps or TV for families, toiletries and more. Borrowed a book for the room & felt really held.
Grey room with a reception desk, a table with various things and chairs in the distance curving out A copy of the Inheritance Trilogy omnibus book that depicts a blue and brown door on the cover.
January 2, 2025 at 6:08 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
2024 was a year of disappointments, increased disability for many I love, & tears. It also was a year I got really loved by so many people who keep reminding me of my worth, hit a few milestones & reminded me of the core good in not everyone, but many many many people around me & around all of us.
A photo of blue, yellow and pink lego flowers of various shapes. In the background is a couch with laundry on it and Grey's Anatomy, all blurry.
January 1, 2025 at 4:54 AM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
My favorite surprise of 2024 was getting two hours last night with these two perfect women who I've known and loved for nearly 30 years. From our extended family to yours, wishing you some moments of joy like this to close out the year and start the next.
Blurry action photo of three femme-presenting long haired people of different races, sitting on their knees in warm winter clothes of different colors and all wearing glasses. One is blurry excitedly holding a bottle of spackle with a tool, while the person in center laughs loudly while holding their shoulders and leaning back into the person on the right who smiles exasperated but fondly.
December 26, 2024 at 3:17 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
I started building lego flowers for my person to give as gifts to visiting friends & as today, the care workers who have coming almost daily & help w/ various needs. Today's nurse solved both an everyday problem & an issue that scared us the last few days - she got one of the blue ones.
Lego flowers of different colors with green stems sit on a brown table.
December 26, 2024 at 2:03 AM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
Come hang out with some friends and I for a Lefty Jews in Politics (early) Hanukkah Happy Hour! 🥂 Thursday 12/19 @ 5:30pm. All are welcome - whether you're a current/former/future staffer, working or interested in politics advocacy, etc. Via @jfrejnyc.bsky.social, RSVP: jfrej.org/happyhour
A graphic showing in the background a group of multiracial, multigender Jews hugging each other and smiling. In blue and white text layered above the graphic is the Jewish Vote logo and the words "Happy Hour, Calling all Lefty Jews in Politics! RSVP: JFREJ.org/HappyHour Thursday, Dec 19 5:30 - 7:30PM near City Hall"
December 13, 2024 at 4:18 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
I've hyperfixated too close to the sun.
A photo of a light brown wooden table on a pink carpet. On the table is a set of green, brown, and multiple other colored legos of different sizes and shapes, beautifully organized. In the forefront is a half built lego holiday tree. A sky to the ground photo of a light brown wooden table on a pink carpet. On the table is a set of green, brown, and multiple other colored legos of different sizes and shapes, beautifully organized. Towards the bottom of the photo is a half built lego holiday tree, with a green, white and brown crocheted blanket at the bottom along the table. Below the table on the pink carpet is a white and blue bag.
December 8, 2024 at 2:01 AM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
I've taken this train maybe 100 times in the last year and a half and yet, the sunrise views from an Amtrak will never get old.
December 2, 2024 at 12:24 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
Moved my beloved, regifted & rarely used PS4 to my family's place for break times when the fam's asleep. Thus, I find myself finally trying Final Fantasy 7 Remake. So far, it's awesome.

The coming months are going to be hard on many policy fronts. Wishing you small joys like this wherever you can.
A photo of a TV showing a blonde spiky haired video game guy's back as he looks on to a staircase and a floor covered in debris, with fire in the background.
November 30, 2024 at 3:48 AM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
Bulldogs are the mascots of 40 colleges in America! Say hi to Buns at the dog show.
A white bulldog named buns struts across a blue stage on a video screen.
November 28, 2024 at 6:44 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
We're in the non-sporting dogs category of the National Dog Show (originally the AKC registered dogs as either sporting or non-sporting before the groups got split into what is today 7 different categories. Non-sporint is what's left from the other groups!). Lacey the Bichon here had a great frolic.
A photo of a tv screen showing a white tiny bichon dog, very fluffy, at a blue dog show stage.
November 28, 2024 at 6:37 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
As a first time National Dog Show viewer, I don't understand why there must be only one?? Every dog is best dog - how does one decide??? (HAPPY DOG SHOW)
a group of people of various races, genders and ages in different colored professional suits and dresses all pet and observe various dogs standing in a line of different colors and sizes.
November 28, 2024 at 5:22 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
Happy Outlook outage to all who observe.
A clear blue sky, under which people walk across a walkway to a tiny strip of park with fall foliage, surrounded by tall government buildings.
November 25, 2024 at 10:03 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
Caregiving occurs in many different ways, across ages & conditions, including supporting loved ones w/ ALS, FTD, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s. Was glad to celebrate a caregiver in my life & meet other caregivers at a #CallingAllCaregivers gathering hosted by I AM ALS & other groups today.
A masked person of color holds an i AM als caregiver sign introducing themselves and the person they're caregiving for
November 25, 2024 at 9:09 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
Another lovely Netflix watch - Mike Schur's A Man on the Inside. Ted Danson plays a widower whose daughter challenges him to go find a new project - so he becomes an undercover detective. A show that's so aware that life is short & determined to show the viewer that aging is living. Beautiful.
Two older men of different races, one tall wearing a suit and glasses and one wearing a thin cardigan over collared shirt and pants, toast with wine glasses in a large open kitchen where people are gathered at various paintings making art.
November 25, 2024 at 2:51 AM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
HAPPY FRIDAY PANTHEON IS ON NETFLIX!? This show was a treasure lost bc a network scrapped it months after debut for a tax-write off. Pantheon's a gorgeously human piece about Maddie, a girl who finds her dead father is now "uploaded intelligence" & David, a boy who learns his life is a lie.
A cartoon still of two fantasy style characters speaking under the shade of a tree on a cliffside, under moonlight. A cartoon still shows two people with black hair wearing everyday clothing looking at a set of windows which show a man in a sleeveless robe and pants speaking to them from what appears to be a screen A brown man stares in horror at his flattened hands and body, which looks like he's been turned into a horrifying cartoon. He is surrounded by various green and dark screens. A cartoon still showing that a dark purple screen shows a light skinned older man with glasses. Two people speak in the room this image is projected on, far below the screen at a table.
November 23, 2024 at 12:55 AM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
Wonderful Friday news via @votejgr.bsky.social & Gov. Hochul: CMS approved an 1115 waiver app NY submitted to adopt continuous Medicaid eligibility for kids from birth to age 6. This is a crucial step in ensuring our most vulnerable young New Yorkers retain access to healthcare & a healthier future.
Screenshot of a tweet saying "NEW: CMS has approved an 1115 waiver application NY submitted to adopt multi-year continuous eligibility for children in Medicaid from birth to age 6. I’m proud to have led this effort in the Assembly and that my legislation adopted in this year’s budget resulted in this change!". It itself is a quote tweet of another account saying: "I want our kids to live healthy and happy lives. That’s why we’re expanding health coverage for 800,000 kids across the state."
November 22, 2024 at 10:25 PM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
A peaceful update for the timeline from quarantine: a bed tray table is the ideal size for a solo lego building station.

Primarily still resting but started *slowly* building Lego Rex tonight to ease some anxiety. Looking forward to digging into Star Wars & Lego Bluesky in the future. 🌌✨🧱
A black serving tray shows white,blue, black and yellow legos in a pile, next to a slowly being assembled white and blue lego clone wars helmet. it sits on an orange, white and grey star wars blanket, next to a computer showing a cartoon Anakin Skywalker (a light skinned man in a grey and dark grey jedi robe) on screen and a black lego kit with the picture of a white and blue completed lego clone wars helmet
November 20, 2024 at 3:21 AM
wperiyasamy.bsky.social
A cartoon withthewords "We Bare Bears the Movie" in the top corner, and the words "Ice Bear always the outlaw, never the law" across the bottom. A cartoon polar bear sits in a cartoon forest on a cartoon log, staring at a cartoon fire through the lens of a cartoon pair of pink glasses in the shape of the numbers "2004".
November 19, 2024 at 4:41 AM