Can we have a conversation about how fucking psychotic it is that the COVID pandemic is at an even worse level than at its previous height and everyone is going back to eating in restaurants and going to concerts and sporting events like everything is back to normal?

"Of those that chose to complete both application essays, 90.9% prioritised the larger amount when no diversity option was offered, versus a miniscule 39.1% when one was present." https://t.co/xLcGWabl3e via @ResearchDigest

Texas' new abortion law and others like it are often referred to as "heartbeat bills." Here's why doctors say that term is medically inaccurate. @bethanyirvinee reports https://t.co/WLesc474f4

No one should have this choice made for them by strangers.

I am tired and frustrated and scared and miserable and I’m one of the LUCKY ones. I know at the end of this I’ll go home with a baby I love and have already forgiven for crushing my lungs when they should be settling into position for birth.

I can afford to raise a child with my partner, who has also been fortunate to come to appointments with me and will have some time off work when baby arrives. I’m lucky he’s able to take over some of the everyday things I do around the house while I’m exhausted.

And I’ve been able to afford the constant doctor’s visits and even physical therapy. I’ve had a schedule that allowed me to go. I can even afford not to work while I await the delivery in this barely-functioning state.

The joint pain, the heartburn, the loss of flexibility and athletic ability, the gradual and then sudden loss of ability to accomplish everyday tasks, the sleep loss, the kicks, the constant discomfort, the incredible shortness of breath…

You think you know, going in, what pregnancy will be like. But I cannot possibly overstate the physical toll this has taken on my body over the last several months. And again, I’m healthy.

All I can say is, as someone 38+ weeks pregnant with a very wanted baby, I do not wish this on anyone who doesn’t really, really want it. And I’ve had a relatively healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy with a presumably healthy baby.

666 new Texas laws go into effect today. These laws include changes to public safety, health care and K-12 education. https://t.co/HCTZTJgOii

The delta surge is straining U.S. hospitals. Use our tool to see how health care facilities are faring in your area. https://t.co/h3kou1Zk9R

Christopher Whiteley's death was widely reported as Texas's first mountain lion fatality—but animal experts aren't buying that theory. But if a mountain lion didn't kill Whiteley, who or what did?

Another professor resigning because some dingus doesn’t want to briefly wear a mask in the middle of a deadly pandemic.

Even as Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton vow to punish local government and school district officials who flout the governor’s order banning mask mandates, they conceded in court documents that they actually have no power to enforce it.

An unvaxed teacher carrying the #DeltaVariant, with mild #COVID19 symptoms passed virus to 55% of students, as far away as 5 rows, while reading to class w/out wearing a mask. Marin, California. https://t.co/ZtJDo1790S

"Experts are uncertain how exactly curricula will be changed in response to the bill. But their consensus is that the legislation addresses a bogeyman. . . Nonetheless, school board rooms around the state have turned into political colosseums."