Pandas were seen flirting through a window at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, which zookeepers say is a sign of spring.

BA.3.2 is starting to pick up speed. We officially added it to our variant list; I assume CDC will add it to Nowcast at the next update. It's probably about 10% or more.

I'm starting to be surprised there aren't more sequences.

This is my favorite climate change chart. Japanese monks, aristocrats, and emperors kept meticulous records of cherry blossom festivals for 1,200 years and accidentally built the world's longest climate dataset.

Poor man

Objective assessment of long-term impact of COVID-19 on multiple sensory functions - BMC Medicine Background This ongoing study investigates the impact of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) on broad sensory functions. Methods Sixty subjects aged 27–78 years were recruited who had c...

Study: Objective assessment of long-term impact of COVID-19 on multiple sensory functions.

Published: 27 February 2026

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Screenshot of a MedPage Today article (March 27, 2026) titled “Concerning COVID Variant Shows Up in 29 States,” by Terrence Rudd. Subheading notes that despite BA.3.2 spreading, XFG variants remain the dominant threat in the 2025–2026 season. Key points state BA.3.2 has been detected in at least 29 U.S. states and internationally, but remains low at about 0.55% of sampled cases. Researchers say BA.3.2 may partially evade antibodies due to spike protein mutations, highlighting the need for continued genomic surveillance. The main image shows a 3D rendering of coronavirus particles—grey spheres with red spike proteins—floating against a dark red background.

USA: "Concerning COVID Variant Shows Up in 29 States"

BA.3.2 made up 0.55% of 5,238 U.S. samples from Dec 2025 to mid-March and was detected in wastewater across 29 states and Puerto Rico.

As of March 14, XFG and its subvariants still accounted for about two-thirds of circulating variants.

Go away already! We need younger representation

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vows vengeance in fiery first statement The new leader's written statement stuck by Iran's threats to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, after President Donald Trump indicated he would like to wrap up the war soon.

Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, issues his first public statement and vows to keep blocking the vital Strait of Hormuz oil trade route and attacking neighboring countries that host U.S. military bases.

it doesn’t have to be like this, even when those in power are doing all the can to make change seem impossible. but you can make choices every day that very literally the material reality of all who share air with you, just by wearing a tool that filters.

Big uploads for BA.3.2 today.
in extreme synthesis it is around 30% in Luxembourg , France and Italy, around 10% in Ontario and NY at the end of February. Also found in a sequence from Moldova (1/2)

Ugh. I have family in Luxembourg and France. Do you have a link I may share?

‘At first, she couldn’t come off the oxygen long enough’: the film that gives Marianne Faithfull one final thrilling performance In new docu-drama Broken English, the much misunderstood singer looks back at all her past selves – and gives a performance that moves her audience to tears. Its makers relive an extraordinary shoot

Faithfull grows sombre when shown a clip of herself at 60 declaring that she loved being that age, feeling healthy and philosophical about things. “Now I’m less philosophical. I hate what’s happened to me. Covid did this.”’

www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ma...

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Linked to Higher Thyroid-Disease Risk An analysis of medical records from a hospital system in the Bronx, New York, adds to findings linking SARS-CoV-2 infection to later diagnosis of thyroid conditions.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Linked to Higher Thyroid-Disease Risk www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...

What is the war in Iran going to do to oil and gas prices? The average cost of a gallon of gas in the U.S. is up more than 20 cents since the war in Iran began, according to AAA.

The average cost of a gallon of gas in the U.S. is up more than 20 cents since the war in Iran began, according to AAA.

🆕 Another Humira® biosimilar is now available at costplusdrugs.com!

Adalimumab-fkjp has been added to our growing lineup of biologic medications. Biosimilars help expand treatment options, and every addition to our platform is another step toward clearer, more straightforward pricing.

Sprawling investigation finds decades of sexual abuse among Catholic priests in Rhode Island The investigation found that 75 Catholic clergy molested more than 300 victims since 1950, but officials said the number of victimized children and abusive priests is likely much higher.

Catholic priests in Rhode Island preyed on hundreds of children for decades, and were protected by bishops more concerned with the church’s reputation than the victims, according to a new report on clergy sexual abuse.

while we wait on sorely needed systemic change, it behooves each one of us to build disease preventing habits into our daily lives—yes washing hands, but air cleaning too—open a window, turn on the air purifiers, & normalize respirator use. every chain of transmission broken by your actions matter.

Disgusting. Sadly, it is how most people act. Sick people will hide it from you. It's why I will continue to mask EVERYWHERE, not attend large gatherings, and take as many necessary precautions as I can to remain healthy.

Seeing Christina Applegate go on Kimmel while sick & joke about Covid shows how badly public health messaging has failed

She lives with MS, strongly linked to prior EBV infection, an example of how viruses can trigger autoimmune disease

Covid can cause similar health issues & worsen existing ones

text says "There’s no way to know which COVID-19 infection will cause long-term illness. Each new COVID-19 infection increases your risk of organ damage, Long COVID, and disability, even if you have no other health conditions that you know of, and even if your previous COVID-19 infections were mild or had no symptoms. Protect your lifelong health by protecting yourself from COVID-19, no matter your age or health history. Wear masks. get vaccinated. keep indoor air clean.” Graphics on the side illustrate people getting sick repeatedly until eventually they end up with long-term illness.

Every time you get COVID-19, your risk increases for Long COVID, organ damage, disability, & more, & there’s no way to know which infection will be the one to cause it! Protect your lifelong health by protecting yourself from COVID-19. Learn more about Long COVID: www.cdc.gov/long-covid/a...

Suvi Minkkinen, Olympic Bronze medalist, women's biathlon, Val di Fiemme, Italy 15 February 2026

BREAKING

Former ICE agent:

On my first day training new cadets, I received secretive orders to teach them to violate the Constitution by entering homes without a judicial warrant.

huh! seems like something worth filtering rather than inhaling!

Peter Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office Video footage shows former peer being driven away shortly after being escorted from his London home by officers

More accountability for the Epstein cabal overseas.

None here.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Woo hoo!

Hahaha hahaha

Dang. Sorry 🙏

You can return it

at the end of disability pride month, i remixed a pals vid into this piece, an attempt to distill surreal pandemic years—buoyed by the tireless work of fellow queer &disabled folks—into something you, if i’m lucky, can feel.
felt like time to post it to bsky, bc we’ve been, are still, here, despite.

New Jersey has proposed the F.U.C.K.I.C.E Act. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/n...