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An A to Z of The Spinoff’s best books of 2025 The year's best reads, as chosen by our panel of experts.

An A to Z of The Spinoff's Best Books of the year
@thespinoff.bsky.social

The post is for Webworm members, but I want to sneak this point from behind the wall (sorry David) because I think a lot of adults don't understand what social media is to today's young people.

A social media ban aims to separate kids from their communities.

‘Don’t pander to the tech giants!’ How a youth movement for digital justice is spreading across Europe Gen z are the first generation to have grown up with social media, they were the earliest adopters, and therefore the first to suffer its harms. Now they are fighting back

‘Don’t pander to the tech giants!’ How a youth movement for digital justice is spreading across Europe

FYI for wellingtonians interested - I saw the optometrist yesterday and the one at Bailey Nelson on Wilson masked. I asked ahead of time during confirmation.

Yup, they're using AI to develop the NZ curriculum The Ministry of Education is using AI to develop the new curriculum for New Zealand students.  In a response to an Official Information Act request made by a member of the public and supplied to Emil...

An OIA confirms it: the Ministry of Education are using AI - Copilot- to develop the new school curriculum. Article here, more as it develops. Please share widely: www.emilywrites.co.nz/yup-theyre-u...

#nzpol #kikorangi

And if you’re not new, please consider contributing! The site badly needs more people adding to and fact-checking it.

If you need help getting started, let me know, happy to try to help.

#MECFS #LongCovid

Long-COVID research just got a big funding boost: will it find new treatments? The German government has committed half a billion euros for research on long COVID and other post-infection syndromes.

Germany gives €500m funding boost to research for Long Covid and other post-viral conditions
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Welcome to MEpedia

If you’re new to the #MECFS world I recommend bookmarking MEpedia.

It’s a great resource from @meactnet.bsky.social

Topics vary from the history of ME to researchers, systems affected in the body, treatments etc.

I’m 15 years old and have a disability. Social media has been a lifeline – why is the government kicking me off? | Ezra Sholl As I come to terms with life as a quadriplegic, Instagram and TikTok are a reminder that I’m not alone The government has decided that from Wednesday I should be banned from social media because of the potential harm it can cause. But as a teenager with a severe disability, who relies on social media for connection, community and access to a largely inaccessible world, this policy actually has the potential to create further harm. When I was 12, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which triggered a rare nerve condition that has paralysed me. My preteen years were spent in an ICU ward, on a ventilator, going through chemotherapy. Before I got sick I did not have any social media. It turned out that all I had to do was end up in a coma, because when I woke, I had a new iPhone14, with every accessibility feature. Having Instagram and Snapchat made me feel less disconnected. I had a window into the outside world, and my friends had a window into my world between hospital visits. Continue reading...

I’m 15 years old and have a disability. Social media has been a lifeline – why is the government kicking me off? | Ezra Sholl

News Release 4-Dec-2025

To treat long COVID, we must learn from historical chronic illnesses, medical researchers say

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

Lots of discussion of ME/CFS in full paper

#PAIS #MEcfs #LongCovid

The Unseen Holiday Energy Drainers When Living With Chronic Illnesses @AwarenessforPOTSies Sensory overload Waiting in long lines Preparing meals Traveling to gatherings Sitting for long periods of time Managing invisible symptoms Triggering conversations Reminders of losses and grief Temperature fluctuations

Beautiful, thank you.

#LongCovid
#ME

The Small Life Calculating Worth with Diminished Returns

I’m excited to share my latest work, “The Small Life.” It explores the little things that still bring me joy as I navigate #LongCovid and #MECFS. #ChronicIllness

substack.com/home/post/p-...

The truth about the ‘gender care gap’: are men really more likely to abandon their ill wives? It’s one thing facing a major diagnosis; it’s quite another dealing with your partner pulling away. But does the stereotype match the reality?

This is really interesting by @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social exploring idea men are more likely to leave if a partner gets sick. I cover this in my book and the wider context that disabled women are treated differently than men full stop, especially in dating. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

“In the new year, we’ll be launching our guide for GPs to help with the diagnosis, management, and treatment of Long Covid.”

This is good, it’s badly needed in NZ.

IMO this piece could’ve been stronger in its recs for prevention & more inclusive of other LC conditions, but I’m happy to see it.

Long Covid's long reach

Comment from Victoria University: The easiest way to prevent others contracting Long Covid is to stay home when sick, and for govt to increase paid leave

A dashboard titled “COVID-19 REPORTING” from Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora), dated Sunday, November 30, 2025. On the left side is a vertical menu labeled “Contents” with buttons for Age, Ethnicity, District, Deprivation, and Definitions. In the center is a line/area chart titled “Overall Counts,” showing reported COVID-19 cases as a 7-day rolling average across a timeline from 2020 to 2025. The graph shows very low levels in 2020, sharp peaks in 2022 and early 2023, then lower but fluctuating levels through 2024 and 2025. On the right, three large statistic boxes display: “2.7M Reported Total since 01-01-20,” “748 Reported Last 30 Days (01-11-25 to 30-11-25),” and “184 Reported Last 7 Days (24-11-25 to 30-11-25).” A “Clear Selections” button sits near the top right. At the bottom, a navigation bar indicates “1 of 6” pages with Microsoft Power BI branding.

🇳🇿New Zealand COVID weekly update: 30 Nov 2025

24 Nov to 30 Nov 2025:

🔹Reported cases: 184 (+13.5%)
🔹Reported Deaths: 6 (+20.0%)
🔹Total deaths: 5,488 (+6)

11 Nov to 17 Nov 2025:

🔹Hospitalisations: 24 (-41.4%)

#COVID19NZ

Source: tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-p...

Header image for today's newsletter is an illustration from OliviaBelknapTherapy.com titled Covid Safer Advocacy: Holiday Edition, depicting a person in a Santa hat and respirator looking at their phone, surrounded by chat speech bubbles that read: "I'd prefer to eat my meal outside or take it to go" "I'll be keeping my mask on, but I'm happy to join you all!" "I'd love to get together, but I'd prefer finding a time with lower COVID levels" "Thanks for the invite, do you have air purifiers or should I bring one?" "I would really appreciate it if you'd take a COVID test before we get together"

Top stories: UK: Long Covid patients face more than double healthcare costs after diagnosis Spain mandates healthcare masking amid Covid/flu hospital crisis US CDC ends telework for all disabled staff US FDA's Prasad intentionally misinforms public about Covid shots causing child deaths, plans to remove access CW suicide: Alarm in Germany over increasing assisted suicide requests from Long Covid patients New vaccine formula produces antibodies 3X longer Alarming new data on kids and Covid, kids and Long Covid Booster Dose Enhances COVID Immunity in HIV Patients Navigating Holidays While COVID Conscious Colin Hay Postpones Australian Shows Due To Covid TOOL singer joke-brags about bringing Covid into New Zealand Guardian: US anti-vax stance to blame for continent-wide surge in measles

Today's Threat Model: #Covid newsletter from @violetblue.bsky.social is a big 'un, as evidenced by the teeny tiny font size I had to switch my phone to to get all the Top Stories headlines to fit in one screen. Read/share/support: www.patreon.com/posts/144962...
#LongCovid #PublicHealth #Medsky

Visual: Dark outdoor scene; a white N95 respirator lies on a log at the bottom right. Text: whn.global (top left) • whn.global/long-covid-my-brother-in-law (top right) “I haven’t thought about COVID in a long time.” Let’s unpack how forgetting became normal, even as Long COVID continues to disable people whose suffering remains mostly unseen. Footer: The World Health Network is a network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.

Visual: Black, paper-like background with white text only. Text: whn.global (top left) • whn.global/long-covid-my-brother-in-law (top right) Most people outside of COVID-aware spaces feel like this. If they’re not currently sick, it feels like the pandemic is over, or might as well be. David Brasure, the author of a new WHN article, talks about how this isn’t malice, it’s emotional self-preservation: people’s “nervous systems” hit a limit, the walls go up, and conversations shut down. Footer: The World Health Network is a network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.

Visual: Black background; a white 3M N95 mask with yellow straps appears at the lower left. Text: whn.global (top left) • whn.global/long-covid-my-brother-in-law (top right) For people living with Long COVID, that gap is brutal. They’re “watching people [they] love act like none of it matters, while [their] life is barely functioning.” Brasure links this to “identity-protective cognition”: we believe what keeps us in good standing with our community. Doctors and friends “folded” not because they don’t care, but because they’re tired, want normal, and are protecting their place in the tribe. But, as he writes, “reality doesn’t care about tribes.” Footer: The World Health Network is a network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.

Visual: Black background; on the right, a person in a blue sun hat and black respirator faces left in profile. Text: whn.global (top left) • whn.global/long-covid-my-brother-in-law (top right) Long COVID is real. It’s wrecking lives. We delay, deny, and look away, until reality becomes a brick wall that “doesn’t bend, doesn’t negotiate, it shows up.” For those who are sick, the message is: hold on. The tide is turning; the world will eventually see what you’ve been enduring. Footer: The World Health Network is a network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.

“I haven’t thought about COVID in a long time.”

For a lot of people, that’s the whole story: if they bounced back, it feels like the crisis is over. But for those living with Long COVID, life never went back to normal, and that gap between realities is its own kind of wound.

Today’s report from the Environment Select Committee shows 95% of submitters oppose the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill.

Yet again, Luxon’s Government is squashing long standing environmental safeguards, te Tiriti obligations & democracy to benefit their wealthy mates and corporations.

For those who missed the successful and fun #CriptheLit readings, Are You my Ancestor last night - the Welly weather was horrid - @wgtnaccessradio.bsky.social has recorded it and it will be broadcast at a later date. Watch this space. #writing #reading #disability #disabilityarts

A Call for Safe Air and Masking in Healthcare Settings We, the general public, and the undersigned clinicians, scientists, and health professionals, call for the urgent reinstatement of basic airborne-infection-control measures—clean indoor air and approp...

our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/a-...

#Disabled people in Aotearoa, be part of #research, on cost of living and cost of #disability, part of disability led Monitoring of the #UNCRPD. The Donald Beasley Institute is researching for the Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) Coalition.
corexmss43gf6x5cw7qm.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

“Not Recovered” protest for Long COVID, ME, and related diseases takes over The Hague - The Sick Times Demonstrations for post-acute infection syndromes including Long COVID, Lyme, and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) took place on November 30 in The Hague, Netherlands as a part of the #HetPAISProtest le...

“Not Recovered” protest for Long COVID, ME, and related diseases takes over The Hague.

thesicktimes.org/2025/12/02/n...

Aotearoa's role in forming the UNCRDP In this podcast interview, long-time disability activist Robyn Hunt chats to The D*List about what went into forming the CRPD and how we can all play a part today.

In this podcast interview, long-time disability activist Robyn Hunt chats to The D*List about what went into forming the CRPD and how we can all play a part today.

A Call for Safe Air and Masking in Healthcare Settings We, the undersigned clinicians, scientists, and health professionals, call for the urgent reinstatement of basic airborne-infection-control measures—clean indoor air and appropriate airborne respirato...

This cause is close to my heart - please sign:
A call for safe air and masking in healthcare settings
#LongCovid
#ME/CFS

Blue graphic with black font. Header reads Healthcare shouldn't make you sicker. Body text reads: we're calling on the Ministry of Health and hospital leadership to restore clean air and N95 protections in all Healthcare settings across Aotearoa NZ. In a box, there is bulleted text stating SARS-COV-2 is still disabling patients and staff. 1 in 5 children develop long term symptoms. Healthcare workers have some of the highest Long Covid rates worldwide. Everyone deserves safe Healthcare. Read the open letter. Sigh your name before thd deadline. Mask up NZ and Aotearoa Covid Action.

A grim anniversary today - six years since the first identified Covid case.
In Aotearoa, we were lucky to have leadership that listened to the science in the early phases of the pandemic, saving thousands of lives.
However, subsequently we have not applied the science that

Why the new history curriculum will deepen divisions in Aotearoa Rather than 'restoring balance', it reinforces a Eurocentric framing of the past.

Why the new history curriculum will deepen
divisions in Aotearoa
@thespinoff.bsky.social

Upcoming events in December 2025: - Dec 9, 1:00 pm MST, Support Group on managing holidays with chronic illness. - Dec 10, 10:00 am MST, 'Coffee with a Clinician' on pacing for holidays. - Dec 16, 1:00 pm MST, Support Group on freedom from thinking traps amidst chronic disease. Visit BatemanHorneCenter.org/Events for more.

The holidays can be overwhelming, you don’t have to navigate them alone.

BHC’s December online events offer a supportive space to talk through challenges, learn pacing strategies, and connect with others who truly understand.

💙 Register at https://bit.ly/4npZ4Ud

Centering ME During the Holidays Baking Communication Grief Home Care Infectious Illness Loneliness Traditions Travel FacetsOfME by #MEAction

From:MEAction Network @meactnet.bsky.social

ME During the Holidays.

We have gathered many tips from amazing resources and the community shared key tricks they use to practice pacing during the holidays. We broke down the advice into 8 categories.

www.meaction.net/post/facets-...

#MEcfs #PwME
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