As Premier of Alberta, William "Bible Bill" Aberhart attempted to limit press freedoms, jailed a reporter and cut off the heat and power to the Lt. Governor's home. When his constituents tried to recall him, he repealed the recall legislation. This is his story. 🧵 1/12

The UCP has made 2025 one of the darkest years for Alberta’s democracy. Albertans can turn on the lights in 2026. By simply being Albertan. Let me explain. 🧵 open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...

Great profile in American Council on Science and Health on alumna Dr. Esther Lederberg ’42, the unsung heroine of microbial genetics, who got her scientific start studying biochemistry at Hunter College. Read more about her achievements: www.acsh.org/news/2025/11... #WomeninSTEM

Respectfully Jon Stewart, you were wrong on the @weeklyshowpodcast.bsky.social to mock people who mask. ICYMI: there are tens of millions of Americans who have been disabled by #LongCOVID and must do everything in their power to prevent further infections that make them vulnerable to further 1/

“An AI scientist, for example, could figure out how the human brain works, or deliver any gene to any cell in the body.” Yeah and a magic pony could shit bricks of 24k gold and piss a highly concentrated solution of pure heroin.

I know we didn't really do this en masse before the pandemic. I know we all want to move on from the pandemic. Masking is a reminder of that tempestuous period in our lives. But when people know better and want to do better, that's a good thing. For god's sake, let them do better.

I don't want to participate in a transmission chain that brings the virus to them. I also just don't want the disruption that even a mild case of flu (or whatever respiratory pathogen) would introduce into my life. Taking reasonable, evidence-based precautions for yourself has no bearing on others.

I have 0 risk factors for severe flu. I am up to date on my flu and COVID-19 vaccines. I am also in New York City, which just experienced a week with more flu cases than any other on record, and I am in contact with vulnerable people for whom flu would definitely not just be the sniffles.

I don't understand how we are still stigmatizing people for wearing masks during respiratory virus season in 2025. Really, people?

Don't think Pierre Trudeau envisaged the notwithstanding clause to be used to violate workers' rights. #Alberta #Teachers #Unions #Charterrights www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Even on a cold winter night Denmark has 100% coverage of electricity by wind energy. 4GW of offshore wind projects are in the making in the coming few years. 1GW in a year. Denmark plans to be a net exporter of green energy in the form of electricity, hydrogen and electro fuels in 2030

I spoke with @carlzimmer.com about our terminated grant on wildfire smoke and homes:

I think this is the big myth to tackle: that somehow getting sick now makes you stronger and less likely to get sick later. As though getting sick is some kind of 'investment' in your future. It's so very corporate.

and YOU DON’T BUILD IMMUNITY WITH VIRUSES THAT CAUSE DISEASE BECAUSE IT IS RISKY, AND MANY HAVE MECHANISMS TO SWITCH OFF, FOOL, OR DIVERT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM ANYWAY.

Amazing that this review paper from 2021 just became my most cited paper of my 30+ yr career. I am honored to have been the lead first co-corresponding author with @ChiaWang8. COVID is indeed airborne--as are most other respiratory viruses. @ucsandiego.bsky.social www.science.org/doi/full/10....

Influenza A cases continue to climb. 35.8% positivity (when someone goes to a doctor and is tested). Lots of people sick right now. Wastewater levels considered high, in AB and most of the country. www.alberta.ca/stats/dashbo... health-infobase.canada.ca/wastewater/ #Alberta #abpoli #ableg

Look at the increases in the 0-44 cohort, those expected to have the longest life expectancy.

Another actuarial report from June 2025 concerning excess mortality. "The analysis of excess mortality offers valuable insights into the Covid pandemic. Excess mortality was originally attributed to the Covid pandemic; however, it has persisted beyond the height of the Covid pandemic,

DS is full of it & dangerous. Rule of law is a fundamental aspect of democracy. To purport politicians(legislators) have final say because they are elected is egregious. To cast doubt on the legitimacy of the judicial branch is authoritarian. #ableg #abpoli edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...

Born #OnThisDay in 1780 was the polymath Mary Somerville. She was the first woman to have a paper read to and published by the Royal Society with her paper on the relationship between light and magnetism, and she in fact inspired the coining of the word 'scientist' itself. #WomenInSTEM

One of many past watercolour compositions featuring flowers and plants from my garden. There will be new paintings when things start growing. I don't know what happened to the Chinese Lanterns (Physalis). They don't seem to come up now (must try again). #art #watercolour #flowerpainting

The wife of the 44 year-old man who died this week in Edmonton after waiting 8 hrs in the ER with chest pain was told by hospital security staff she was "being rude" Are you supposed to just be super calm & polite while your spouse dies a preventable death in the hospital?

If you go into hospital, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting more sick. Unwrap a new special episode: “Beyond Baggy Blues—How to Stop COVID in Hospitals” with Dr Dick Zoutman @dickzoutman.bsky.social, Board Chair of the Canadian COVID Society @cancovsoc.bsky.social. Prevention is possible!

Dangerous (and Trumpy) nonsense. The courts exist to interpret and protect our rights — even, and maybe especially, the unpopular ones. The fact that they aren’t elected is a *good* thing. edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...

WTF is this? I did not write or submit this paper. Are journals now run entirely by AIs who hallucinate entire publications? Knowledge Of Pregnant Women About The Benefits Of Pregnancy Books In Ottawa | International Journal of Health Engineering and Technology share.google/ArcgxhUDfSY9...

MacIsaac should sue Google. Remind me again how good generative AI is at summarizing information. This tech should be banned under existing consumer protection laws. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/arti...

Unless I missed it somewhere, I don't see any details about the Alberta Next survey methodology. This leaves me with a lot of questions.

Absolutely right. AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there. Let me illustrate …

Loose Ends in 60 Seconds 🩷

GREENLAND UPDATE: 🇬🇱🇬🇱🇬🇱🇬🇱🇬🇱🇬🇱 Message from the Premier of Greenland

I have better things to do. Like post for #ArtAdventCalendar Day 17: stylized supernova Hand knit mosaic cable work in wool 🧶

#ArtAdventCalendar Day 23: gold filagree Hand knit brioche cables in wool 🧶

An important heads up! But maybe a little light on underlying causes and possible solutions. I'll provide my perspective on things in this mini-thread. 1/

It’s chaotic and hypocritical while also being duplicitous. But it all makes sense if viewed through the lens of a premier who’s fearful of an organized and motivated separatist movement within her own party. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...

Best explanation of the liar's dividend that I've ever seen.

not something you ever want to hear from past CDC leadership, but it’s the truth

Them: Since they are Canadian, I would not rule out treachery… Me: Unexpectedly wise. Them: …and an effort to make Americans and their media look silly. Me:

Study of over twenty five million people over almost four years finds that COVID vaccines reduced COVID deaths by 74% and increased all-cause deaths by zero. I don’t know how much clearer it can get than that. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

today's essential read for all Canadians energymixweekender.substack.com/p/how-donald...

"Death of dog after avian influenza exposure in Alberta marks second such case in Canada Goldendoodle died after catching bird flu from snow goose" #H5N1 #HPAI #AvianFlu #FluIsAirborne

Excellent response with references to a hack PR piece on zerocovid.

The article is an opinion piece masquerading as journalism. While this is typical of these sorts of trashy publications, what concerned me was that they highlighted my research specifically to push their message. Consequently, I feel like I ought to respond.

Here’s a link to the article (free to access on Yahoo). Spoiler alert: it’s rubbish. t.co/lvxXBtUXJi

One of the reasons why I go so hard on science misinformation/disinformation, is that as a working scientist it is frustrating to see your research misreported to push an agenda. For example, consider this piece of right-wing propaganda from The Telegraph that was just published

‘This is preventative medicine.’ Toronto hospital starts $1-million fund to help patients with rent. Research shows a link between evictions and worse health outcomes, says Dr. Andrew Boozary of the University Health Network. www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi... via @thestar.com

Demetrios Nikolaides Recall Campaign Needs Your Help Jenny Yeremiy says the campaign has a third of required signatures, but needs for canvassers and door knockers before the end of Jan. #yyc #abpoli youtu.be/F9ynK9Mc_z8