Deanna Ronson 🇨🇦

A huge thank-you to everyone who’s shared, supported, or sent kind words today. Early visibility of GoFundMe campaigns (🔗 www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-fi...) really matter, and I appreciate you all more than you know. ♥️

#HumanRights #DisabilityJustice #AccessibilityMatters #LdnOnt

What were the historical reasons for the resistance to recognizing airborne transmission during the COVID‐19 pandemic? The question of whether SARS-CoV-2 is mainly transmitted by droplets or aerosols has been highly controversial. We sought to explain this controversy through a historical analysis of transmission res...

This paper goes into more detail on why infection control and public health leaders in 2020 were close to a century out of date on how infections are transmitted in aerosols. Mechanistic science training is inadequate in many medical programs.

The errors would be funny, except for all the death.

In addition to charges of arson, I hope police consider laying charges of hate crime on the bases of race (targets of the arson were Indigenous) and sex (targets of the arson were women).

COVID rates have dropped in the last week. I’ve had several people say to me that they’ve noticed more people masking lately. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if folks were starting to realize they could prevent airborne infections by masking?

I’ve launched a GoFundMe to help me pursue disability-related human rights cases in healthcare. Disabled/immunocompromised people deserve safe, accessible care & the legal process to defend those rights can be long/costly.

To support/share, here’s the link:
🔗 www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-fi...

Thx!

Measles outbreak in Arizona and Utah could spell the end for U.S. elimination status With holiday travel and gatherings approaching, doctors worry that transmission could escalate further.

If community spread of measles continues until Jan 20th, the US will join Canada in losing its measles elimination status.

This is what happens when “you do you” individualism takes the place of public health.

Measles is disabling and deadly but it’s also preventable.

Get your vaccines

I hope you have the strength to speak out a about your abusers. Today's news is another example that a creep never stops. There's always another target, always another victim. I hope you never have to fear watching a predator get away with what they tried to keep in the shadows.

The narrative that we are being sold that our children's safety is somehow threatened by trans people participating in all aspects of public life as their authentic selves is the exact same bullshit that was peddled about queer folks 30 years ago. It was a lie then and it's a lie now.

Poverty and disability often go together.

It’s difficult to “try harder” your way out of financial problems when you lose your health.

The pull yourselves up by your bootstrap mentality goes out the window if you’re bedbound.

It can happen to anyone at any time.

They aren’t moral failings.

I’m both the organizer and the beneficiary.

"Patient Relations": only a phone number on TW's information board. Left a message there and am sending a letter to submit to your portal, but I also deem it super important to let everyone know:

FOR #COPD AND #ASTHMA MANAGEMENT IN TORONTO: THERE'S NOWHERE LEFT TO GO FOR PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE.

the clinic hallways, coming in and out of rooms while I was in the waiting area.

With this level of lack of care, there was no sense in bothering trying to explain to anyone on that floor, or in the hospital, for that matter, that they are putting patients at risk.

I just transferred my lung care to UHN after WCH made it clear they weren't going to accommodate me or any other patient under the AODA.

I asked for the first appointment of the day to reduce exposure to airborne pathogens. Witnessed 7-8 staff members going around without masks in (cont)

I came to 7th floor respirology
For the first appointment of the day
I saw an unmasked receptionist upon arrival
And unmasked staff coming in and out of exam room 428

I heard coughing from rm 428
And that "deep cough" from somewhere to my right.
I GTFO'd saying "this test - not happening today"

What enrages me is that I likely will get "pathologized" for following science in a setting where capitalism and healthcare instersect.

It's all about narrative, not facts anymore. It's politicized, embedded, and cultural.

Ableism IS the culture in Canada.

Thank you for posting. The hospital is the most dangerous place I go. It doesn’t have to be this way. #DisabledLivesMatter #WearAMask #DoNoHarm

Donate to Help Me Fight Disability Discrimination in Ontario, organized by Deanna Ronson I’m fundraising because I’m currently pursuing three Human Rights Tri… Deanna Ronson needs your support for Help Me Fight Disability Discrimination in Ontario

I’ve launched a GoFundMe to help cover legal fees for my 3 HRTO cases about disability discrimination in healthcare. A win here could help set precedent for disabled & immunocompromised folks across Ontario. Early shares matter. 💜

🔗 www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-fi...
#DisabilityJustice

Thank you for the repost, @jackiebrownnow.bsky.social! I appreciate you.

Thank you for the repost, @cybercheetah.bsky.social! I appreciate you.

Donate to Help Me Fight Disability Discrimination in Ontario, organized by Deanna Ronson I’m fundraising because I’m currently pursuing three Human Rights Tri… Deanna Ronson needs your support for Help Me Fight Disability Discrimination in Ontario

Disabled people deserve equitable access to healthcare - full stop. I now have 3 HRTO cases challenging the systemic barriers I’ve faced. Fundraising for legal support; boosts make a real difference.
www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-fi...

"Give the daughters of today equal opportunities and the mothers of tomorrow will change the world" (Zainab Siddiqi). #DayoftheGirl #GirlsBelongHere

Reminder: Counter-Protest is Tomorrow!

We’ll be standing in solidarity at Wellington & Commissioners this Sun., Oct. 5, 1–3 PM to oppose the Life Chain.

This is a masked event, because care is collective.
#ReproductiveJustice #HealthJustice #DisabilityJustice #COVIDIsNotOver #AbortionIsHealthcare

Illustration of a couple in a kitchen. A man wearing a yellow apron is cooking vegetables in a pan, smiling. Beside him, a woman with long red hair sits in a wheelchair, also smiling. Above them, bold text reads: “Disabled people shouldn’t have to give up financial independence for love.” The scene highlights the unfairness of rules like those on ODSP that tie benefits to a partner’s income.

If you’re on ODSP & fall in love, you risk losing ur benefits if ur partner earns ‘too much.’ PWD shouldn’t have to choose between survival & ❤️.

U shouldn’t have to give up security/dignity/independence just because you’re in a relationship. The policy is discriminatory & harmful. It needs to end.

A notepad lies open on a wooden table. Scrabble tiles spell out “CALL TO ACTION.” A coffee cup, glasses, and phone sit nearby. Text above the image reads: Our Call to Action • Demand masking as an access measure • Center disabled and high-risk survivors in ALL anti-violence work • Stop treating public health as personal preference Take Back the Night should mean all of us — not just the healthiest. Logos in the corners.

7/7 We ask our community to stand with us — and with everyone who’s being left behind.

We all deserve to grieve, rage, and heal together. But true solidarity means showing up for everyone — not just the able-bodied.

#DisabilityJustice #COVIDSaferLondon #LdnOnt #COVIDIsntOver

Grey textured background with black text reads: What We’re Doing “Presently, we will not be attending because this space is not safe for many of us. Take Back the Night has refused to implement even a “masks-requested” policy. This makes the event inaccessible to disabled, immunocompromised, and high-risk survivors — the very people these spaces should be centering. We cannot offer harm reduction at an event that refuses to reduce harm. Solidarity means showing up for everyone — not just the healthiest.” Logos in the corners.

6/7 We cannot offer harm reduction at an event that refuses to reduce harm.
We will not be attending.

TBTN has failed to adopt even the most basic safety measure: a “masks requested” policy.
#CommunityCareNotControl #TBTN2025

Grey background with black text reads: What We Were Told • On August 13, organizers told us: “You are free to wear masks if that makes you most comfortable, and we ask that each person respects others’ choices to wear masks or not.” • On August 21, we were told they had “read and comprehended [our] research-based argument for a mask requested event, but we cannot do that at this time.” • No explanation was provided for why they could not implement this basic access policy. • Our August 23 follow-up was ignored. (The lead organizer is now away until Sept. 2.) • To date, they have made no public commitment to even naming masking as a harm reduction measure. Three weeks. Multiple emails. Silence. Logos in the corners.

5/7 This isn’t about “personal choice.”
It’s about:
• Who gets to show up
• Whose lives are valued
• Whether survivor spaces center all survivors — not just the healthiest

#MaskBloc #COVIDIsAirborne #Immunocompromised

Illustrated image of four masked people with fists raised. Two hold protest signs that say: “Survivors Justice is Disability Justice” and “Masking is Access.” Text above them reads: Why This Matters • Masking is a basic access measure — not a bonus. • Crowded outdoor events do carry airborne transmission risks. • Many disabled, chronically ill, and immunocompromised survivors cannot attend without basic safety measures. “When organizers ignore this, they send a clear message: “Your health doesn’t matter here.” Logos in the corners.

4/7 Delays are decisions.
Silence is exclusion.
Access delayed is access denied.

If you refuse to even request masks, you are excluding disabled and immunocompromised survivors.
This is not community care.
#ReproductiveJustice #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

A group of South Asian women are gathered outdoors, many wearing colourful fabric masks. One woman holds a hand-written sign that says: “Community Care is Masking!” Text above the image reads: “On August 13, we contacted Take Back the Night London organizers to ask: • Will you adopt a ‘masks requested’ policy for this year’s event? • What accessibility training will be provided for staff/volunteers? • How will disability and survivorship be centred in programming? Our goal was simple: to ensure disabled and immunocompromised people aren’t left behind.” Logos for COVID-Safer London and London Reproductive Justice are in the corners.

3/7 We followed up on Aug 23. No reply.
Lead organizer returned on the 25th. Still silence.

We followed up again on Aug 28.
The response? “We don’t have a formal answer yet. Maybe next week.”

The event is less than 3 weeks away.
#COVIDSaferLondon
#TBTN2025 #MaskingIsAccess #DisabilityJustice

2/7 The organizers include: @westernu.ca, @fanshawecollege.bsky.social, @qxcanadaorg.bsky.social, Anova, LAWC, the City of London, Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support & Integration (MRCSSI) and ChangingWays.

A young person wearing a pale pink baseball cap and a white N95-style mask stares directly into the camera. The background is grey and minimalist. Text above them reads: “Masking is access. Silence is exclusion. Two weeks after we raised concerns about accessibility, Take Back the Night London still refuses to request masks at their event and hasn’t explained why.” Logos for COVID-Safer London and London Reproductive Justice appear in the bottom corners.

Masking is access. Silence is exclusion. A thread. 🧵 On Aug 13, London Reproductive Justice & COVID-Safer London contacted Take Back the Night London to ask for a “masks requested” policy; a basic access measure for disabled, chronically ill & immunocompromised community members.
#DisabilityJustice