Happy 2023!
President Biden has extended the public health emergency for COVID as the Omicron variant XBB.1.5 continues to spread like wildfire. COVID numbers are all over the place again. Right now, things are getting bad enough that mask mandates are being reinstated in many locales. If you need to stock up on masks, Buzzfeed collected a few great links.
A vital note from Peste Magazine:
After receiving approximately $10 billion in US taxpayer funds, Moderna now plans to raise the price of their Covid vaccine by 400%—from $26 to $110-$130. Meanwhile 75% of people in low income countries haven’t even had one dose of the vaccine and Moderna continues to refuse to share their technology with the entire world. (Here’s a list from Doctors Without Borders of more than 100 manufacturers that could be making these vaccines right now.)
According to new research, most people who have ended up with long COVID had what they considered a ‘mild’ case during initial infection. In other awful news, autopsies have shown that COVID wreaks havoc across the entire body. People with long COVID are struggling to apply and be approved for social security benefits. One aspect of this is due to being relatively ‘early’ in the research process - another is that this program is full of gatekeeping to the point where people opt for all sorts of other measures because they’re constantly denied when there is no reason they should be.
Here’s what to do if you find out you are positive for COVID. Also, make sure that you check the expiration dates on the tests you have - especially if you’ve recently ordered some of the free tests available via USPS.
Also, WHY don’t we have these awesome flu / RSV / COVID rapid tests??? Well, it’s likely because the US has an awful history of public health measures in general. Public health measures are seen as an opposition to capitalism as they require us to care for each other over profits. Plus, we know that getting people to normalize oppression is in politician’s best interests…
Oklahoma has proposed a bill that would force trans people up to age 26 off of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). They’re appropriating the term ‘conversion therapy’ to refer to what they think is a ‘fad’ as opposed to trying to force trans and queer folks to be cis and straight. A Florida school also had their transphobic bathroom policy upheld by a federal appeals court. With all the harm happening for the trans community, it’s no wonder that some trans folks are looking to seek asylum in another country. I don't blame people for running with this idea... However, emigrating is not an option open to everyone due to ableism, background, finances, and more. We need to make it less terrifying to live HERE.
I’ve talked a lot about how difficult it has been to navigate vocal changes during transition as someone who loves singing. It’s not like I had amazing pitch before, but dealing with the classic Bobby Brady moments was not as fun as it looked. Thankfully, like many other trans folks, I’ve continued to practice. I’ve finally hit a point where my voice has stabilized! Once a high soprano, I’ve hit baritone in three years on testosterone.
J. Logan Smilges has recently come out with a book called Queer Silence: On Disability and Rhetorical Absence. Check out this exerpt. Looking for other LGBTQ+ books? Here’s a list of upcoming LGBTQ+ releases. I’ve also pulled together a nonfiction list on Bookshop. (Note: Bookshop is a new affiliate of mine! If you buy a book from them using my link, I get a small kickback at no cost to you.) There’s another new book coming out that I’m excited about - Ingredients for Revolution: A History of American Feminist Restaurants, Cafes, and Coffeehouses by Alex D. Ketchum. Autostraddle wrote a great piece about it.
Speaking of the disability community, Twitter devolving into a hellscape is really hurting us. Musk firing the accessibility team (amongst others) has made the website suck even more than normal - which is especially hard when it’s one of the best websites for connecting with community.
A lot of businesses talk about how ‘expensive’ being more accessible is. The reality is that the biggest proponents of accessibility aren’t the big companies, but the small ones - like in video gaming. If you know a designer or researcher, here is a great primer for them on how to mindfully engage with disabled folks.
Wizards of the Coast is pulling some BS around Dungeons & Dragons. The tldr is that they’ve restricted their license for fans and competitors to be able to utilize D&D-related ideas and items.
One thing from the past that’s bringing me joy? Ke Huy Quan winning all the awards. Did you see his acceptance speech from the Golden Globes last night?
His movie wife, Michelle Yeoh, also won and brought some sass.
By the way, Angela Bassett won for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, making her the first actor to receive a GG for a Marvel movie. If you haven’t watched Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, it won for best animated film last night. It’s about mortality, love, and just a preciously funny film. Ewan McGreggor is the cricket / narrator, too, and we get to hear him sing again! Here’s the larger list of GG winners for those interested.
I’m finally kicking my own ass into gear again to deal with my chronic pain. Switching jobs has helped a ton, but I know I don’t take care of my hypermobility as much as I should. Honestly, watching a bunch of the Try Guys’ videos - especially those where Zach is leading and talking about his own pain - helped get me there.
Because of this video alone, I picked up a neck traction device and a new TENS unit. (I had tossed out my old one a while ago as it uh started to shock me…) In addition to picking up a great book, I also spoke with a physical therapist last night who focuses on hypermobile folks and dancers, which fits the way I think really well. I’m really excited about how this will go!
If you have feedback or anything you’d like to share, feel free to reach out to me on social media or by email (all linked here).
Take care of you, lovebug <3
Grayson