“Spare Yourself”
An Alphyne comic I finally finished based on a collection of comic planning sketches I drew all the way back in like ‘16/’17
Alphys struggles to forgive herself for her past actions, but with Undyne’s support, the future begins to look brighter.
@/savoirflair: On #EarthDay, it's crucial to recognize that the guardians of our planet are its indigenous peoples, who have historically maintained biodiversity and preserved natural resources through deep-rooted practices and ancestral wisdom. There is no climate justice without human rights, and we cannot celebrate our planet without honoring its original and eternal custodians. Without the stewardship of indigenous populations like the Palestinians, our environmental efforts are incomplete. Their resilience and ongoing struggle underline that Earth Day is not only a call for environmental action but also for justice and the recognition of the rights of indigenous guardians who have nurtured the land for centuries.
The fact that Microsoft Word has to be a subscription is upsetting. I already paid for it why do I have to pay again
Yes please be mad about it, genuinely- You used to be able to purchase a single disk to install it and use it forever after that initial purchase of one key. It sickens me to see all this stuff which used to be a one time purchase be shunted under a subscription now.
"Why is pirating going back up?!"
This. This is why. People don't mind paying a high price for software if it's only the once, or every 4-5 years.
But having to pay a high price regularly? Especially in the cases where you lose access to your own work if you don't?
That's why people are pirating software.
It’s possible to buy a non-subscription version of Word; Microsoft just intentionally makes it very difficult to find (and also expensive).
However, I know a guy who knows a guy website: MS Office Pro for $50. If the link starts going to a Page Not Found, just search the site; they usually have some form of this sale available.
Worth noting: while $50 is still more money than $yo-ho-ho, that money is a great way to make VERY clear to Microsoft that we DO want one-time-purchase products, not subscriptions.
My laptop just died. If it can't be fixed and I need to replace it, this post is gonna be a real life saver, because my family has been sharing an old version of Word that came with a limited number of lifetime licenses, and we're fresh out.
https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download-libreoffice/
Get LibreOffice. It's fully compatible with MS Office, but it's free and open source. You're welcome. :-)
This is different from Al-Shifa:
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ALTThere are images of decomposed bodies wearing what appear to be scrubs... with their hands tied. Meaning they were executed while bound. I will not be sharing them because I'm tired of showing our martyrs' bodies to people.
ALTNew zine that's free for anyone to print and distribute! Read the whole thing at newlevant.com/COVIDzine or in the rest of this post.
![COVID zine page 1 Unless you make it a hobby to follow COVID news and studies, you're probably going off old info. [stack of word balloons coming from different directions] "COVID is mild now" "The pandemic is over" "'Pandemic of the unvaccinated'" "COVID is like the flu" "Only 'high risk' people need to worry about it." "There's nothing you can do." Businesses have a clear interest in YOU not worrying about COVID, and governments want to claim "victory" by hiding the problem. They want you at work, shopping, traveling, and going to events just like you did in 2019--NOT demanding sick pay, clean air infrastructure upgrades, etc. The CDC didn't want to admit COVID is airborne because it would open employers up to workplace safety lawsuits. Masks are a visual reminder of the ongoing danger. In a 2020 study, people who complied with mask mandates spent *25% less time shopping.* In 2021, the CDC shortened their COVID isolation guidelines...at the request of Delta Airlines' CEO.](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/70f4a45cc6729eb54213adc93a244c91/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-6a/s1280x1920/0b84f1dbbfe85c9c265b31e16af469ac2a1e86c6.png)
ALT![COVID zine p2 Here's the real tea: [handwritten, bold text] COVID is airborne & movies like smoke. Because the virus is transmitted by respiratory aerosols--the fog that you can see exhaled on a cold day. Could you smell if someone was smoking? Then you could inhale their COVID virus. [Cartoon of a person standing near 2 cigarette smokers, surrounded by smoke.] This is why airflow, filtration, and limiting contacts are key to stopping infections. [handwritten, bold text] Six feet apart /= safe That's old news, from when scientists *hoped* COVID was mainly spread by large droplets. Turns out, it can hang out in the air for hours.](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/d4ed69cd00fc62c3209301b810b05945/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-9c/s1280x1920/a8f5959e6e79d4b9dcf1c49a0900b1526a9d3b3d.png)
ALT![COVID zine page 3 [Bold, handwritten text] COVID is still everywhere. At least half of COVID spread is from people who don't (yet) have symptoms. With no paid sick leave and too-short isolation guidelines, people are regularly forced to work while infectious. [Cartoon of a waitress, unmasked, looking abashed, surrounded by an infectious cloud, saying "may I take your order?" Many jobs now disallow masks!] The CDC stopped tracking COVID tests, so now the best way we have to estimate how many people have COVID: wastewater testing. Virus levels in sewage closely follow actual cases. [Cartoon of a toilet with viruses getting flushed] [Graph of Biobot COVID wastewater levels from jan 2020 to Feb 2024, showing 929 copies per mL on Feb 17] [Cartoon of me, looking at the graph, saying "More cases than ANY TIME in 2020. Not great."]](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/bb874c4d1c8f30268603f43932f69b9d/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-86/s1280x1920/d4100513e8efe4593093a7a1a991bb6bddffc701.png)
ALT![COVID zine p4 [Conversion chart of Biobot wastewater levels measured in copies/mL to what percentage of the population is infectious. They are from https://pmc19.com/data/ and @michael_hoerger on twitter.] Using the national measurements from Feb 2024, approx. 1 in 36 people were infectious with COVID. [How Does Risk Increase with More Social Contacts? conversion chart] [Cartoon of me, looking tired, wearing a respirator, pointing up at the chart. I'm in a crowd of people, drawn in silhouette, and clouds of COVID.] You can see how the risk skyrockets with crowds. U.S. residents can estimate how many people are infectious with COVID in YOUR area NOW with data from your nearest wastewater testing facility: biobot.io/data/covid-19 [QR code]](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/b256a70f986d0a87c31e2b44de2d7379/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-80/s1280x1920/1d564ac7e3d0a0f385d9a67edc49a54047ba7fe9.png)
ALT![COVID zine p5 [Bold, handwritten text] COVID is really dangerous. [Cartoon of a person's circulatory system] COVID isn't just a respiratory illness. It injurs the blood vessels and can damage nearly any organ, all over your body. Even mild infections cause brain shrinkage equivalent to aging 1 to 10 years. Each infection has a ~1 in 10 chance of causing new, lasting symptoms, aka Long COVID. This is true for kids AND adults. Long COVID can present in all kinds of ways. Even cases that start mild can become debilitating. [Cartoon of a person lying down and wearing an eyemask, surrounded by handwritten descriptions of potential Long COVID outcomes] Can't read, watch TV, look at phone, listen to music. Brain fog, hard to even think. In pain, feel like you have the flu for months on end. Have to lay in the dark and quiet. See pandemicpatients.org for an extensive list of Long COVID and Post-COVID Conditions: [QR code]](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/336c66151ff4a89c3afb3e9acb4f4d17/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-21/s1280x1920/3d888bfe15c3c6e4bb666621d7921b581e6f4887.png)
ALT![COVID zine page 6 [Graph labeled "Excess Deaths and COVID Deaths in Young Adults (age 18-49)". The "excess deaths [all cause]" number is at about double "COVID-19 deaths".] So far in 2024, at least 1,000 people are OFFICIALLY dying of COVID in the U.S. every week. Chances of having a heart attack or stroke go WAY UP after a COVID infection, so it contributes to many more deaths than the official count. [Bold, handwritten text] Repeat infections are hurting us. The chances of bad shit happening get higher each time you get infected. Viral fragments have been found in tissue samples even 12 months post-diagnosis. Viral persistence is a likely mechanism of Long COVID. COVID disregulates the immune system, even in recovered patients. We're seeing outbreaks of RSV, monkeypox, polio, TB and more--possible signs of widespread immune dysfunction. [Chart labeled: "Fig. 5: Cumulative risk and burden of sequelae in people with one, two, and three or more SARS-CoV-2 infections compared to noninfected controls." It lists the following bad health outcomes, showing that each is more likely after 1 infection, more likely after 2 infections, and even MORE likely after 3 infections: Hospitalization at least one sequela cardiovascular coagulation and hematological Diabetes Fatigue Gastrointestinal Kidney Mental health Musculoskeletal Neurological Pulmonary]](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/04a49df42eade89e54d6d94baed4e42a/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-6f/s1280x1920/847b30aa538721b3762385d6048cca04b818120b.png)
ALT![COVID zine page 7 [Bold, handwritten text] Vaccines and "hybrid immunity" are not enough. COVID vaccines create antibodies that fight infection. They've greatly reduced hospitalization and death from acute infection. But antibody levels quickly decline over the following months. Vaccines aren't stopping people from getting infected, spreading COVID, and long-term damage [diagram of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus is covered in spike proteins, and there are circulating antibodies, some of which bind to the spike proteins. There's a human cell covered in ACE2 receptors. When a spike protein binds to an ACE2 receptor, that's cell infection. When an antibody binds to the spike protein, it can't infect!] COVID keeps mutating, with new shapes in the spike protein that evade old antibodies. You can get reinfected with a different variant, even in weeks. [Bold, handwritten text] COVID vaccines are like an airbag. Avoiding exposure is like keeping your hands on the steering wheel.](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/164acb826a6b5f4f65b2715302d9112a/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-a4/s1280x1920/b03f1788e82097aca2fb36e14cccd21e58892fee.png)
ALT![COVID zine page 8 [Bold, handwritten text] Rapid tests give a lot of false negatives. Taking a single rapid test only successfully detects ~60% of early symptomatic infections and ~12% of asymptomatic infections. The FDA now recommends repeat testing after a negative result. Positive: You have COVID. Negative: You MIGHT have COVID. Try again in 48 hours, or get a PCR test, especially if you have symptoms or known COVID exposure. Improve test accuracy by collecting a combined nose and throat sample! Instructions (from Ontario Health): Do NOT eat, drink, chew gum, smoke, or vape for at least 30 minutes before collecting the sample. Blow your nose first. Wash your hands and only hold the swab opposite the soft swab tip. 1. Swab between the inner cheek and lower gum, on both sides. Then, swab your tongue, as far back as you can go. OR, look in a mirror and swab your tonsils. 2. Swab the nasal wall. Tilt your head back and insert the swab straight back (not up) until you hit resistance. Rotate several times. Then do the other nostril. Order free COVID tests (if covered by insurance): fastlabtech.com [QR code] Find free testing locations: testinglocator.cdc.gov [QR code] [Diagram drawing of a combined nose and throat swab, with the swab placed on the tonsils labeled "1" and the swab in the nose labeled "2", to indicate the correct order to swab in.]](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/822520aac9461d7056533cf201e6e8e7/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-c3/s1280x1920/617d6da0308a124e40d391a9576ffeb91c66cb84.png)
ALT![COVID zine page 9 [bold handwritten text] What we can do: [Cartoon of me, looking peaceful, wearing a Flo Mask, surrounded by a light cloud of virus.] Don't breath COVID in. It's all about MASKS and AIRFLOW. Wear a mask with N95 or better filtration (aka a respirator) and make sure there are no gaps. A mask is only as good as its seal! N95+ filters trap particles with an electrostatic charge, which is why they're much better than cloth or surgical masks. Head-straps give a better seal than ear-loops, and are more comfortable! Elastomeric masks (reusable face piece, replaceable filters) give the BEST seal, assuming the model fits your face! [Graphic of a CDC MMWR report, bit.ly/MMWR7106 : People who reported always wearing a mask in indoor public settings were less likely to test positive for COVID-19 than people who didn't Among 534 participants reporting mask type Cloth mask: 56% lower odds Surgical mask: 66% lower odds Respirator (N95/KN95): 83% lower odds ]](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/e0da20ff68d6e38cfba73ad2ab7503d8/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-ca/s1280x1920/c59ed6532c7da441f86cb5623f02eaf885a5ed7a.png)
ALT![COVID zine page 10 Seal check: Cover the surface with your hands. Can you feel the mask going IN when you inhale and OUT when you exhale? That's good. [Cartoon of me with my hands over my mask] If you feel any air leaking around the edges, the mask doesn't fit properly. To better know if a particular mask fits you, try a DIY fit test. [arrow pointing to a QR code that goes to the DIY fit test instructional video linked in the tweet] Source control is BETTER at stopping transmission than just the uninfected person wearing a mask! But both people masking is safest. [Cartoon of me getting checked out by a cashier. I'm wearing a mask that has virus in it, demo-ing source control] 3M Aura is a good disposable respirator. (buy from a hardware store or stauffersafety.com, Amazon is full of fakes!) EnvoMask Pro and FloMask Pro are good elastomerics. [Drawings of the masks] Laianzhi HYX1002 is currently the best mask that comes in black. Fit test results: testtheplanet.org [QR code]](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/e7cdf549ffdc930d2d57ed646f56b9ca/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-de/s1280x1920/8ca1d7815a7400b70b4cc8fedc8aab32eec29d2d.png)
ALT![COVID zine page 11 Go outside for more airflow to disperse the virus! Outdoor COVID transmission is still possible, but it's much safer than an enclosed space. [Cartoon of me and a friend, both wearing masks. A leaf is blowing between us; evidently we're outside] Failing that, open windows, run fans to pull in fresh air, and use HEPA air purifiers. Get a cross-breeze going! [Cartoon diagram of two open windows with a box fan in between, pulling clean air in from one window and blowing indoor air out the other window.] You can make a DIY air purifier by taping a furnace filter to a box fan. Instructions: cleanaircrew.org [QR code] Mini DIY purifier with a PC fan and a round HEPA filter! [Cartoons of furnace filter taped to a box fan, and a round filter with a PC fan on top.] Purifiers also help with pet allergies and wildfire smoke!](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/a7f0a5f51df43da664c301f157b0fb1c/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-30/s1280x1920/c221a94c7f7c5a67d50f280db0ac8d242ffc3a62.png)
ALT![COVID zine page 12 [bold, handwritten text] Extra precautions: SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects in the upper respiratory tract, so it makes sense to target treatment there. Some nasal sprays have been shown to reduce the risk of getting COVID! XYLITOL nasal spray reduced healthcare workers' risk of infection by 62% in one randomized controlled trial. IOTA-CARRAGEENAN nasal spray reduced HCW's risk of infection by 80% when dosed 4x daily in one RCT. NITRIC OXIDE nasal spray reduced infection risk by 75% when taken 4x daily after COVID exposure for 10 days, in a preliminary study. Povidone-iodine mouthwash reduces viral load in the mouth, though how well this prevents infection is unknown. S. salivarius k12 probiotic losenges reduced upper respiratory tract infections by 65% among HCWs in one RTC. [bold, handwritten text] NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MASKS AND CLEAN AIR!! The evidence base is much smaller and they won't stop you from spreading COVID if you DO get infected. But it's good to have many layers of protection!](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/89b5ca3c510ddd957a5a15f7d51fab30/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-16/s1280x1920/e30ca4fca274eeb4c282e15135ab8c25cf8489e9.png)
ALT![COVID zine page 13 [bold] I have COVID, now what?? What I'm planning to do if/when I get COVID again. Not medical advice. I am not a doctor. People's CDC has a detailed "What to Do if You Have COVID" guide. Gather supplies BEFORE you get sick! [bold] There's still a chance to stop the spread! Reduce the chances of infecting others in your household by isolating ASAP, ventilation, and everybody wearing masks. People stay infectious for at least 10 days! After that, test to find out if you're negative. [drawing of bottle] "CPC or iodine mouthwash to kill virus in mouth" Don't go out if you can help it. If it's an emergency that can't be delegated or postponed, WEAR A RESPIRATOR!!! (In a catch-22, you may need results from an in-person PCR test to get disability benefits or Long COVID care down the road) [bold] REST. [drawing of mug] Dehydration is ALSO linked to Long COVID, so drink up! Inadequate rest can WORSEN or potentially even CAUSE Long COVID. Don't work out!! Avoid exertion as much as possible, during infection and in the weeks after. Rest and pacing are also crucial for dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome, a common Long COVID condition.](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/3402e436b241429c7c908b18bba20179/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-20/s1280x1920/a4102cf3423869f0f617846c6fbeabfcc7a29594.png)
ALT![COVID zine page 14 [bold] Early Treatment Paxlovid is an anti-viral medication and lowers Long COVID risk by ~25%. It's prescribed for those at increased risk of severe illness...which is 75% of U.S. adults. It must be started within 5 days of symptoms. Ideally, you can get a Paxlovid prescription from home with a telehealth doctor visit. More options: Find a Test to Treat site (free prescriber visit) and/or a Paxlovid Patient Assistance Program site (free Pax for eligible people). treatments.hhs.gov [QR code] In New York State, you can get assessed through Virtual ExpressCare or by calling 212-COVID-19 . ondemand.expresscare.video/landing [QR code] [smaller] (outrageously insufficient, i'm sorry!!) Here are the non-prescription meds and supplements that RTHM, a Long COVID clinic, recommends to reduce symptoms and risk of developing Long COVID: H1 blockers H2 blockers Low-dose aspirin colloidal silver nasal spray and gargle Nattokinase N-Acetyl-L-Cystein (NAC) Curcumin (turmeric) Multivitamin with Vitamin D3 Melatonin Alpha Lipoic Acid (if noticing increased heart rate) Read why: rthm.com [QR code]](http://web.archive.org./web/20240423032035im_/https://64.media.tumblr.com/f6d6c742171de6f31abae314a28eb85f/6e08ec8bc6a9f91c-c5/s1280x1920/5aa272a668517530db36ce820e9eb41dc0ea3efe.png)
ALTUPDATE 4/11/2023:
I swapped out the colloidal silver nasal spray info for xylitol nasal spray info. I originally included colloidal silver spray because of the linked study and recommendation from RTHM, but I don't want to be pointing people toward something with notable health risks. Xylitol spray (Xlear) is also cheaper and more widely available!
This campaign for my uncle family ( brother of my mother) they are also displaced seeking the safety please help them by donating if you can or sharing the campaign.
One of my favorite things about the Palestinian resistance movement is the muisc that comes out of Gaza.
Everyone knows about Dammi Falastini. What you might not know is that the singer grew up in Gaza. Under israeli occupation. His skill should not be underestimated. He also sang for a lot of Palestinian resitant movements.
Speaking of Palestinian Resistance. Some of my favorite songs have come from them, mainly the PFLP (you can find a lot more of their songs here twitter.com/PalestineTunes and the specific song here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6iq4CyHuV4)
Reminder, these people were born into an open air prison. This skill should not be underestimated
platforming palestinian joy is just as important as sharing the suffering they're enduring during this genocide. despite continued displacement and bombardment, you cannot steal their joy and spirit. happy birthday to this sweet baby 🖤🇵🇸 may they grow up to see a free palestine
this beautiful baby is the son of ibrahim abu raida, the 25 y/o executive director of the al nasser charity in gaza, an organization working to distribute food to the displaced. they have many different ways to donate linked on their instagram (linked above) and also have a personal gfm to help with their own rebuilding efforts that is over 80% of the way to its goal.
ALTMammoth Cube Mammoth Cube Mammoth Cube
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ALTKnown as the Jarkov Mammoth, this specimen was found in Siberia. The 23 tonne block of mud and ice was lifted to an ice cave where the mammoth inside was recovered and studied.
I know it's not the worst thing about capitalism. But I do think there's something really *bad* about the fact that between lack of leisure time, lack of disposable income, and "hustle culture" mindset that for many, many, many people the primary/only way they are able to express their creativity and artistic aesthetics is through consumer culture. Buying stuff and displaying that stuff.
When like...making stuff. Drawing, painting, weaving, crafting, sketching is like, baked deep deep into our bones as humans.
But I know so many adults who haven't like...drawn a picture since they were children.
"Ugh my drawings look like a 10 year old did them."
"When did you stop drawing for fun?"
"...when I was like 10."
Never mind that art doesn't have to be good to be fun.
being a fan of a friend's ocs is actually so humiliating....... like yes my favourite character rn is tragically doomed and a pillar of humanity who i think is relevant to the current world. you can find information about them on discord dot com and sometimes in late-night conversations with this guy i know. what the fuck
up late at night thinking about a guy who exists to three people. such a desire to talk about him until my lungs give out and read every scrap of fanfiction on the internet and yet there is NOTHING!!!! and i have to pretend to be NORMAL about this. "oh yes your character is cool. have you considered writing more" meanwhile the wolves in my brain are tearing and biting
y'all not to doxx myself too hard but irl i have spent some time in my life in mental health recovery, and i am here to tell anyone who needs to hear it that people with multiples & schizophrenia & psychosis & BPD are fun and interesting and lovable people and my friends
i knew somebody in recovery who had a system of 12 personalities that he drew out in a nested chart for me. they did not remember each other's experiences. and it was cool! i could talk with one alter and then catch up another alter later about what we talked about! it was fun!
i knew a girl with psychosis who heard voices in static and running water but didn't want to get rid of them cause they never said anything distressing and they were familiar and comfortable. that's awesome! how cool is the variance of human experience??
bringing this back for disabled pride month. invisible disabilities count too. if you don't fuck with the mad community i don't fuck with you
my advice to you is to never waste your time trying to fit into a club or hobby or any community who makes you beg for acceptance and approval just to participate when you could do the alternative—get involved in a niche and endangered hobby run primarily by old people.
i wanted to learn how to hunt ruffed grouse and train bird dogs so i sent an email to my local chapter of the ruffed grouse society explaining that getting into wildlife groups is intimidating to me because I’m trans
and all they saw was that someone under 60 wanted to learn to hunt grouse & several months into my mentorship I was told that like 7 old guys argued over me until they had to pick a number between 1 and 100 to decide who got to personally mentor me.
imagine vying for the acceptance of some gatekeeping weirdos when your mere interest could be inciting verbal combat among retirees
my mentor was so sweet & funny too. he suggested we meet over lunch first so he could tell me about what to expect before we got started & I emailed back “I’m ready to get started right away!”
and he said “I was actually suggesting lunch first for your comfort on the assumption you wouldn’t want to get together with a man you’ve never met, in the woods with a gun.”
Like, I trusted him because of the referrals I got from one of my professors but like, right you are sir fair enough. Lunch it is.
exactly 😌
