Prof Deborah Lupton, MPH PhD

I hope to God they aren’t using my name

FDA Guidelines on COVID-19 Vaccines Are Throwing Those Most at Risk Into Despair “There’s a lot of misinformation, and nobody seems to know what’s going on,” a resident of Missouri said.

When the FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines back in August, it also imposed new restrictions on who is eligible to get them — restrictions that have made it harder for the nation's most vulnerable people to access a life-saving vaccine. Here's my reporting on the issue.

"Some sources even went to completely unrelated links that weren’t written by the person whose work they were supposedly an example of, potentially indicating that the suggestions Grammarly’s AI offers with one person’s name may be based on a different person’s work."

Solid Branding

Israeli ambassador says it’s ‘mind-boggling’ to question legal basis for war on Iran Israel’s new ambassador says Australia was on the “right side of history” by backing strikes against Iran as he warned against calls for a ceasefire.

"Israel’s new ambassador to Australia says it is mind-boggling anyone would question the legality of the US-Israeli strikes against Iran"

it is mind-boggling that this propagandist for a genocidal apartheid rogue state is cited as an authority on international law.
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...

This is Angie Farella, RFK Jr’s new vaccine advisor.

She’s encouraging sick children to hug grandma and grandpa because that’s how you pass on immunity.

No. That’s how you hurt the vulnerable.

If you’re sick, stay home.

Wear a mask.

Clean the air.

Don’t pass it on.

I personally enjoy writing, and it always amazes me how many academics say they find it so difficult or hate it. It has always made me wonder why they have signed up to being an academic. I am an AI conscientious objector and refuse to give research and writing over to the bots

The AI-powered Crusaders

Strike on Iranian primary school kills 108, authorities say Girls’ education facility hit as US and Israel launch joint military operation

Day 1. The US and Israel bomb a school in Iran, killing more than 100 children.

www.ft.com/content/055d...

Many people who have had C19 have weakened immune systems

medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02...

very curious if Schumer did anything

Oh Lordy. I still vividly remember learning about that horrible wire mother experiment when studying biological anthropology. This story is so unbearably sad

Found in all frontline workers. Teachers too.

Live life like an Olympian.

Grace Tame is difficult to not like.

Screenshot of an Irish Star news article with the headline “Christina Applegate slammed after ‘laughing and joking’ about COVID on Jimmy Kimmel after MS battle.” Subheading mentions her experience with multiple sclerosis and long COVID and a joke made on Jimmy Kimmel Live that upset fans. The article is by Alex West, dated 24 Feb 2026. Below the text is an image of Christina Applegate sitting on a talk show set, gesturing while speaking.

"Christina Applegate slammed after 'laughing and joking' about COVID on Jimmy Kimmel after MS battle"

"During a Jimmy Kimmel Live appearance, she said she was 'super duper sick,' hugged him, joked she 'might have COVID,' and added, 'you’re gonna have it.'"

Source: archive.md/Egk2l

The absolute BEST public health comms…if you’re not already following @durhamhealthnc.bsky.social , I strongly recommend doing so. They even post science-backed messaging on FB!! That’s integrity!!

They are still closing schools instead of making sure pharmaceutical and non pharmaceutical preventative measures are optimised.

And sending kids to hospital.

And burying small coffins.

Just in case you are wondering exactly how spectacular the hypocrisy of the “learning loss” crowd can get.

Los Angeles recognizes Long COVID Awareness Day - The Sick Times Local advocates pushed America’s second largest city to formally observe the day on March 15.

NEW: Advocates led the charge in America’s second largest city to formally recognize Long COVID Awareness day on March 15. The city will light up City Hall in teal, the symbolic color of Long COVID, the same night as the Academy Awards, drawing more attention.

thesicktimes.org/2026/02/25/l...

What Covid in Pregnancy May Mean for a Generation of Children A growing body of research shows that exposure to Covid-19 in the womb can have a subtle but lasting impact on brain development.

For much of the pandemic, reassurance about #Covid in #pregnancy rested on one idea: babies didn’t test positive.
New research shows why that was incomplete -- and why exposure in the womb, not infection at birth, is the real concern.
🎁🔗⬇️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Thanks, @bhanlon15.bsky.social Here’s a free link www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

I would describe Grace Tame as ‘brave’ and Albanese as ‘craven’

Anthony Albanese called Grace Tame “difficult” in a News Corp word game. Donald Trump was merely “president”.

Throughout history women who fight to better society get punished and labelled problems

Men who are convicted criminals and whose policies kill are more likely to get a pat on the back

What is SSPE? SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis) is a progressive brain disorder that develops in some people who have had measles. It usually appears 7-10 years after initial measles infection and is fatal. There is no cure for SSPE. As the disorder progresses, patients experience: Personality chages Dementia Blindness Seizures Loss of speech Paralysis Coma And more The only way to prevent SSPE is to prevent measles. Protect yourself with measles vaccines. Learn more about measles: cdc.gov/measles.

As measles outbreaks spread, you may hear more about SSPE, a fatal brain disorder caused by having measles. Although it does not occur in most measles cases, the only way to be sure to prevent it is to prevent having measles. Learn more about measles & SSPE: www.healthychildren.org/English/tips...

News Release 25-Feb-2026 Tulane study reveals key differences in long-term brain effects of COVID-19 and flu Disruption of serotonin and dopamine signaling pathways could explain why some feel 'brain fog' after being infected by COVID-19 Peer-Reviewed Publication Tulane University FacebookXLinkedInWeChatBlueskyMessageWhatsAppEmail Even a mild case of COVID-19 or the flu can impact the body long after the fever and cough fade, according to new Tulane University research that may help explain why some people struggle to feel fully recovered weeks or months later. Tulane researchers found that while both viruses can leave lasting lung damage, only SARS-CoV-2 infection caused persistent brain inflammation and small blood vessel injury, even after the virus was no longer detectable. The findings, published in Frontiers in Immunology, help explain why long COVID often includes neurological symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue and mood changes, while influenza is more commonly associated with respiratory complications.

News Release 25-Feb-2026

"Tulane study reveals key differences in long-term brain effects of COVID-19 and flu: Disruption of serotonin & dopamine signaling pathways could explain why some feel 'brain fog' after being infected by COVID-19"

www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

#LongCovid #NeuroPASC

Warning that this is a very sobering read.

"That scale in turn raises a troubling question: whether Covid is not only leaving millions chronically unwell but also accelerating the slow neurological processes that end in dementia"

Screenshot of a The Sick Times article titled “Six years in, mental health care providers are still uninformed on Long COVID. And it’s making the crisis worse,” by Elizabeth Yuko, dated February 24, 2026. Below is an image of the American Psychological Association headquarters building in Washington, D.C., with a CNN sign visible in the background.

"Six years in, mental health care providers are still uninformed on Long COVID. And it’s making the crisis worse"

“I’d heard from people that they were being told things like they ‘identified too much with their illness,’ which is one of the most invalidating and dismissive things I could imagine”

The PM calling Grace Tame, a woman fighting for the safety of children, “difficult” is completely unwarranted. 

Labelling women as difficult won’t silence us. It won’t stop us speaking truth to power. 

Next time try “unbreakable” or “warrior” or “fierce”, Prime Minister.

‘Living Futures’ book in production I am excited to announce that my latest book, Living Futures, has now gone into production and will be published by September 2026. It is part of the Shortcuts series with Routledge. I had a lot of…

So pleased that my ‘Living Futures’ book is now in production and will be out with Routledge by September - details here

#futures #sociology #history #anthropology #geography #CreativeMethods #divination #forecasting

simplysociology.wordpress.com/2026/02/23/l...