Zoë McLaren, PhD
@zoemclaren.bsky.social
Visiting Scholar @NYUniversity. Associate Prof. @UMBCPubPolicy. Formerly @UMichSPH. Econ PhD @UMich. Health and economic policy to fight HIV, TB & COVID19.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
6 years today the first COVID case was identified in a man in Wuhan marking the beginning of a global pandemic that changed the world. We are way less prepared today to face another pandemic than we were back then. This fact makes me sad.
November 30, 2025 at 10:52 PM
6 years today the first COVID case was identified in a man in Wuhan marking the beginning of a global pandemic that changed the world. We are way less prepared today to face another pandemic than we were back then. This fact makes me sad.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
I was diagnosed with #HIV in 1998, when I was 30.
Many of my friends had died of AIDS. I did not expect to live to 50.
I’m 58 now.
HIV treatment works.
Treatment also makes it impossible for me to pass HIV on during sex.
Ensure HIV treatment for all.
End HIV stigma.
#WorldAIDSDay
Many of my friends had died of AIDS. I did not expect to live to 50.
I’m 58 now.
HIV treatment works.
Treatment also makes it impossible for me to pass HIV on during sex.
Ensure HIV treatment for all.
End HIV stigma.
#WorldAIDSDay
December 1, 2025 at 8:46 AM
I was diagnosed with #HIV in 1998, when I was 30.
Many of my friends had died of AIDS. I did not expect to live to 50.
I’m 58 now.
HIV treatment works.
Treatment also makes it impossible for me to pass HIV on during sex.
Ensure HIV treatment for all.
End HIV stigma.
#WorldAIDSDay
Many of my friends had died of AIDS. I did not expect to live to 50.
I’m 58 now.
HIV treatment works.
Treatment also makes it impossible for me to pass HIV on during sex.
Ensure HIV treatment for all.
End HIV stigma.
#WorldAIDSDay
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
A reminder for those who are not aware: "remigration" is the process of deporting all non-white people from a country. It includes citizens and is, by definition, ethnic cleansing.
And to be clear: this is not fake. I just screenshot it myself.
And to be clear: this is not fake. I just screenshot it myself.
November 28, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A reminder for those who are not aware: "remigration" is the process of deporting all non-white people from a country. It includes citizens and is, by definition, ethnic cleansing.
And to be clear: this is not fake. I just screenshot it myself.
And to be clear: this is not fake. I just screenshot it myself.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
“There are no clean demarcations between feminism and its backlash and the backlash to the backlash, between progress and regress. It was always fanciful to conceive of progressive victories as permanent, just as it was a shortsighted fantasy that edgelord heterodoxy would remain cool.”
Me Too Forever
Why the backlash was so short-lived.
www.thecut.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:54 PM
“There are no clean demarcations between feminism and its backlash and the backlash to the backlash, between progress and regress. It was always fanciful to conceive of progressive victories as permanent, just as it was a shortsighted fantasy that edgelord heterodoxy would remain cool.”
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
This is the result of the CIA using children to kill people and yet a whole lot of people don’t want to recognize *American* culture, and in particular the culture of the War on Terror, at work here.
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 3:19 PM
This is the result of the CIA using children to kill people and yet a whole lot of people don’t want to recognize *American* culture, and in particular the culture of the War on Terror, at work here.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
There is literally no reason for the military to be in D.C.
November 28, 2025 at 4:13 AM
There is literally no reason for the military to be in D.C.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
The guy shot two random people with a gun, I don't think you can say he wasn't assimilating into our culture
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The guy shot two random people with a gun, I don't think you can say he wasn't assimilating into our culture
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
The DC shooting story is really getting to me because we literally trained this man as a child soldier for a death squad in a forever war and Stephen Miller et al want to blame it on other cultures? It's our culture, American culture, that killed that woman.
November 28, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The DC shooting story is really getting to me because we literally trained this man as a child soldier for a death squad in a forever war and Stephen Miller et al want to blame it on other cultures? It's our culture, American culture, that killed that woman.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
National Guard troops don't sign up to be used as political pawns. They sign up to serve their country, not needlessly deploy to American cities to pick up garbage. These two soldiers should be alive right now and at home with their families for Thanksgiving. I'm furious.
November 26, 2025 at 9:14 PM
National Guard troops don't sign up to be used as political pawns. They sign up to serve their country, not needlessly deploy to American cities to pick up garbage. These two soldiers should be alive right now and at home with their families for Thanksgiving. I'm furious.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
To be clear Lizza’s story is that Nuzzi sat on important matters of national significance for personal benefit and he’s sat on these details until he could personally benefit.
All of DC media needs to be thrown into the sea. Anyone who defends these people is a goddamn clown.
All of DC media needs to be thrown into the sea. Anyone who defends these people is a goddamn clown.
November 26, 2025 at 10:17 PM
To be clear Lizza’s story is that Nuzzi sat on important matters of national significance for personal benefit and he’s sat on these details until he could personally benefit.
All of DC media needs to be thrown into the sea. Anyone who defends these people is a goddamn clown.
All of DC media needs to be thrown into the sea. Anyone who defends these people is a goddamn clown.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
So Olivia Nuzzi is clearly a piece of shit who can never work in journalism again after this.
And, also, Ryan Lizza is clearly a piece of shit who should never work in journalism again after this either.
We're all agree on that, right?
And, also, Ryan Lizza is clearly a piece of shit who should never work in journalism again after this either.
We're all agree on that, right?
November 26, 2025 at 10:46 PM
So Olivia Nuzzi is clearly a piece of shit who can never work in journalism again after this.
And, also, Ryan Lizza is clearly a piece of shit who should never work in journalism again after this either.
We're all agree on that, right?
And, also, Ryan Lizza is clearly a piece of shit who should never work in journalism again after this either.
We're all agree on that, right?
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
I still can't believe these goddamn fools are trying to get into a patriotism dick measuring contest with a guy who was a combat pilot and an astronaut and space flight commander.
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I still can't believe these goddamn fools are trying to get into a patriotism dick measuring contest with a guy who was a combat pilot and an astronaut and space flight commander.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
My mom told her physical therapist she wears a mask because her husband and daughter are immunocompromised. The PT said she is too but isn't worried bc she knows if she dies she is going to heaven. Then her co-worker yelled, “Shut up Debbie you wear a seatbelt and take blood pressure meds” 👀
November 25, 2025 at 11:14 PM
My mom told her physical therapist she wears a mask because her husband and daughter are immunocompromised. The PT said she is too but isn't worried bc she knows if she dies she is going to heaven. Then her co-worker yelled, “Shut up Debbie you wear a seatbelt and take blood pressure meds” 👀
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
People need food. Market won’t provide it. Government should. It’s literally the whole point.
Turns out Mamdani's controversial proposal for government-run supermarkets isn't so novel. Other cities also are toying with the idea to bring fresh, affordable food to communities that do not have easy access to it. Good WSJ read (gift link)
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Inside Atlanta’s First Government-Funded Supermarket
The goal is for the store to become profitable without any government subsidy within three years.
www.wsj.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:53 PM
People need food. Market won’t provide it. Government should. It’s literally the whole point.
Let kids have their bodily autonomy. It’s not “impolite” to refuse to hug a relative.
Yeah - don't make kids hug against their will. Good.
November 26, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Let kids have their bodily autonomy. It’s not “impolite” to refuse to hug a relative.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
This is the type of hater energy that will fuel us in the years ahead.
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:42 PM
This is the type of hater energy that will fuel us in the years ahead.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
Overall flu circulation is still low in the US but is steadily rising. Was on inpatient ID consult service last week.
Anecdotally I saw more COVID positives than flu positives. Lots of rhinovirus & parainflueza. Interestingly no rsv.
Get vaccinated now is the time.
www.nbcnews.com/health/cold-...
Anecdotally I saw more COVID positives than flu positives. Lots of rhinovirus & parainflueza. Interestingly no rsv.
Get vaccinated now is the time.
www.nbcnews.com/health/cold-...
Flu season is just beginning, but doctors are already on high alert
While flu levels are still low, a strain that has wreaked havoc in the U.K. and Canada is behind most cases so far in the U.S., mostly affecting kids.
www.nbcnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Overall flu circulation is still low in the US but is steadily rising. Was on inpatient ID consult service last week.
Anecdotally I saw more COVID positives than flu positives. Lots of rhinovirus & parainflueza. Interestingly no rsv.
Get vaccinated now is the time.
www.nbcnews.com/health/cold-...
Anecdotally I saw more COVID positives than flu positives. Lots of rhinovirus & parainflueza. Interestingly no rsv.
Get vaccinated now is the time.
www.nbcnews.com/health/cold-...
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
Reminder to schedule a colonoscopy
November 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Reminder to schedule a colonoscopy
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
I strongly feel Rep. AOC should run for the Senate, and I’ll be all-in if she chooses that path.
November 23, 2025 at 12:31 AM
I strongly feel Rep. AOC should run for the Senate, and I’ll be all-in if she chooses that path.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
I work in cancer research (I search people’s charts and file relevant information to be useful later) and the harm RFK Jr has done, is doing, and will do is sickening and harms patients daily.
I hope one day RFK Jr is unable to get the help he needs because of research he prevented from happening.
I hope one day RFK Jr is unable to get the help he needs because of research he prevented from happening.
November 22, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I work in cancer research (I search people’s charts and file relevant information to be useful later) and the harm RFK Jr has done, is doing, and will do is sickening and harms patients daily.
I hope one day RFK Jr is unable to get the help he needs because of research he prevented from happening.
I hope one day RFK Jr is unable to get the help he needs because of research he prevented from happening.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
November 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
my favorite flower is forget-me-nots… so i beaded earrings that remind me of the field of flowers i spent the summer enjoying
November 22, 2025 at 2:05 AM
my favorite flower is forget-me-nots… so i beaded earrings that remind me of the field of flowers i spent the summer enjoying
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
The foundation I'm visiting has 2 outings each year, like Broadway plays plus fancy dinner
These events are for EVERYONE working here--us visitors, program staff, finance & HR, maintenance, kitchen staff, everyone--& their +1s
What would universities be like if we valued everyone working there?
These events are for EVERYONE working here--us visitors, program staff, finance & HR, maintenance, kitchen staff, everyone--& their +1s
What would universities be like if we valued everyone working there?
November 21, 2025 at 2:25 PM
The foundation I'm visiting has 2 outings each year, like Broadway plays plus fancy dinner
These events are for EVERYONE working here--us visitors, program staff, finance & HR, maintenance, kitchen staff, everyone--& their +1s
What would universities be like if we valued everyone working there?
These events are for EVERYONE working here--us visitors, program staff, finance & HR, maintenance, kitchen staff, everyone--& their +1s
What would universities be like if we valued everyone working there?
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
while I’m being cranky, access journalism needs to go. When the president does his “I’m alpha because I insulted you” thing somebody needs to fall on his sword and say “what the fuck is wrong with you, old man?” on a hot mic. the hero of the wizard of Oz is Toto.
November 21, 2025 at 12:11 PM
while I’m being cranky, access journalism needs to go. When the president does his “I’m alpha because I insulted you” thing somebody needs to fall on his sword and say “what the fuck is wrong with you, old man?” on a hot mic. the hero of the wizard of Oz is Toto.
Reposted by Zoë McLaren, PhD
How to get it from your own employer is relatively easy to discover.
How to fund lost salary and/or a stay elsewhere is completely opaque.
How to fund lost salary and/or a stay elsewhere is completely opaque.
November 20, 2025 at 4:49 PM
How to get it from your own employer is relatively easy to discover.
How to fund lost salary and/or a stay elsewhere is completely opaque.
How to fund lost salary and/or a stay elsewhere is completely opaque.