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Sam

@counsellingsam.bsky.social
6K followers 5.6K following 837 posts

Person with #LongCovid for 5 and a half years. Disability Campaigner and dog lover. Left-wing. Member of The Green Party Hates Centrists for pandering to the Right. Leveson 2 Now. Anti-Zionist. Anti-Racist pro-Trans

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Reposted by Sam
Christy Dee @christydee.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
These are the same fools who wouldn't wear a mask during the covid epidemic.
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Elke Hausmann @drelke.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Stories are really powerful. But it’s the stories other people tell about us that have the real impact on our lives. #LongCovid #ME 1/3 www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
There is a bunch of interrelated therapies, all fairly recent, that share an interest in narrative. They are pain reprocessing, somatic tracking, polyvagal theory and others. The underlying idea is that in some people - and I stress some people - chronic illness might look like this: a very ancient and primitive part of the brain and nervous system believes it has detected danger, possibly a tiger or something like that, and so it produces pain or a whole range of symptoms in an effort to get the sufferer to close down and protect herself.
The nervous system does this very effectively and it can carry on doing it for decades.
It is really very inventive. I feel that mine ought to be eligible for some sort of prize.
It comes to this. A story you have on some level believed - that the world is fraught with danger - can be countered by a different story.
Yes, the world is fraught with danger, but not everywhere, and not always, not here in this place and not now in this moment. You are safe.
So this is my narrative now, the story of how I got ill - and perhaps, if I pay careful attention to it, I will be able to retrace my steps through the labyrinth of my own body and return to safety.
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Elke Hausmann @drelke.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
‚Merz said the government would not accept what he called "exorbitant" levels of sick leave in the wake of the pandemic.‘ When sick leave is seen as the problem, not sickness… #LongCovid German row over plan for workers to need sick note on first day of illness www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
German row over plan for workers to need sick note on first day of illness
A doctors' group says it "borders on madness" that patients will have to obtain the note in person.
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North Box Systems @northboxsystems.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Why are we still making air purifiers targeting Coronavirus? There is no downside to cleaner air but the suggestion that Covid is over is just not supported by the facts: #CovidisAirborne #LongCovid #IndoorAirQuality x.com/keetmuise/st...
x.com
Keith (@keetmuise) on X
We want to be proven wrong, but until public health does their job we are all in deep trouble. Here is the link to 488,000 publications on the dangers of Covid. https://t.co/ZzkR7exPWR
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Elke Hausmann @drelke.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
I did not write this article to give people a platform for promoting brain retraining programmes to GPs! #LongCovid #ME bjgplife.com/the-long-tai...
Please consider these points in the light of the suggestions in some of the comments here:
Brain retraining programs often promote "mind-body" strategies based on the concept of neuroplasticity, aiming to "rewire" the nervous system.
However, there are major clinical concerns and a severe lack of empirical proof with these approaches for Long Covid and ME.
Risk of Harm and Worsening Symptoms:
Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM): Brain retraining often encourages patients to push past physical limitations or reframe warning signals as harmless.
For ME and Long Covid with PEM, this can trigger severe crashes, including potentially leading to long-term physical deterioration.
Ignoring Biomedical Pathologies: These approaches treat symptoms like fatigue and pain strictly as overactive danger signals in the brain.
Doing so ignores established clinical realities, such as microclots, mitochondrial dysfunction, and widespread neuroinflammation.
Lack of Scientific Rigor:Unsupported Claims: There is minimal empirical, double-blinded, or peer-reviewed scientific evidence demonstrating that programs like those by Dr.
Schubiner or advocates in channels like Recovery
Norway can cure or fully recover Long Covid or ME.
Reliance on Testimonials: Success claims rely heavily on anecdotal recovery stories, making them vulnerable to the placebo effect, misdiagnosis, or the natural periods of remission seen in chronic illnesses.
Psychological Blame and Gaslighting:
Illness Stigma: By suggesting that chronic physical conditions are solely "learned" or caused by nervous system loops, these programs can make patients feel personally responsible for their symptoms.
Medical Dismissal: Similar to the controversies surrounding Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), promoting brain retraining often results in healthcare systems dismissing the biological severity of these illnesses.
Note: While some mindfulness, stress-reduction, and vagus nerve stimulation techniques may be useful adjuncts to help manage nervous system overarousal, as part of a patient's overall symptom management, that is a far cry from claiming that they can cure the underlying condition.
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Morgan Fairchild @morgfair.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Musk demanded proof people died from USAID cuts. He got it — and lost it. open.substack.com/pub/oligarch...
open.substack.com
Musk demanded proof people died from USAID cuts. He got it — and lost it.
Elon Musk challenged critics last week to name anyone who has died as a result of the funding cuts he led at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) last year.
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Morgan Fairchild @morgfair.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
#OnMyWalk to wish you a #HappyJuly4!!! Our country is worth fighting for! #ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt #BeKind Sending Love To You All❤️🇺🇸❤️🥳❤️🎉❤️🇺🇸❤️🥳❤️🎉❤️🇺🇸❤️🥳
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Morgan Fairchild @morgfair.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
www.instagram.com/reel/DaVo-IT...
instagram.com
shelter2shelter on Instagram: "South LA shelter is closed for normal business today (observance of the Fourth of July) but is allowing foster placement for holida…"
South LA shelter is closed for normal business today (observance of the Fourth of July) but is allowing foster placement for holiday weekend fosters (4 day fostering, now through Monday). Fireworks are loud and scary so if you have room to take in a shelter dog in need, please contact the shelter asap. Email contacts below.Little lady POKE is one of many dogs available for fostering and waiting for a home. This cutie was understandably scared and wary when she first arrived at the shelter but she quickly proved to be a total love. She’s too small to participate in the regular shelter playgroup program but has tested well with other dogs. Who can give POKE safe shelter through the weekend?POKE #A22798985 yrs old, 13 lbs, female 📍South LA Animal Shelter, 1850 W. 60th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90047, 📞 Tel: 888-452-7381 or 323-565-2161Rescues please email:catherine.lee@lacity.orgjasmine.poblano@lacity.orgmatthew.spease@lacity.orgroman.rincon@lacity.orgShelter hours:Tues-Fri 8am-5pm | Sat & Sun 11am-5pm | Mon emergencies only
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Morgan Fairchild @morgfair.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
www.instagram.com/reel/DaN7Hgp...
instagram.com
We Let the Dogs Out Rescue Corporation on Instagram: "One year. That’s how long Braxton has been waiting for a family of his own. He was found as a stray when he was just 4 months old. Soon after, h...
6,900 likes, 617 comments - wltdorescue on June 30, 2026: "One year. That’s how long Braxton has been waiting for a family of his own. He was found as a stray when he was just 4 months old. Soon aft...
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Morgan Fairchild @morgfair.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
www.instagram.com/p/DaUBHquJcOc/
instagram.com
iloverescue on Instagram: "I'm honestly shocked that Lucy is still sitting at the shelter.Lucy is a sweet, quiet senior Maltese who has done nothing but patie…"
I'm honestly shocked that Lucy is still sitting at the shelter.Lucy is a sweet, quiet senior Maltese who has done nothing but patiently wait for someone to notice her. Day after day, she watches people come and go, hoping this will finally be the day someone chooses her.No family has come looking for her, and no one has stepped forward to give this gentle little girl the retirement she deserves. After everything she's given throughout her life, she shouldn't have to spend her golden years in a shelter kennel.If you've been thinking about adding a calm, loving companion to your family, please don't overlook the seniors. Lucy still has so much love to give. She just needs someone willing to give her a chance.Senior dogs often come with age-related medical needs, and Lucy may require veterinary care as she gets older. Please only consider adopting her if you are financially prepared to provide the medical care she deserves. In return, you'll gain a loyal, gentle companion who will love you with her whole heart.Lucy#A594982Approximately 10 years oldFemale Maltese📍 San Bernardino City Animal Shelter333 Chandler PlaceSan Bernardino, CA 92408📧 SBrescue@sbcity.org ☎️ (909) 384-1304
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Morgan Fairchild @morgfair.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
🇺🇸Happy 250th Anniversary🇺🇸 from Morgan & Cathryn 2 B*tches from Texas Podcast youtube.com/@2bitchesfro... open.spotify.com/show/1O3RKkK... #July4th #2bitchesfromtexas #Happy250th
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CJ McIntosh @cutchins.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
I'll never get over this shit. Law enforcement in particular was so fucking butthurt having to mask up and COVID killed more of those pussies than anything else. Now they have no problem masking up all day to hide their bitch ass faces while they attack brown people and march for white pride.
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SDDPHOTO @sddphoto.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Yet they wouldn't wear a mask to stop infection spreading like wildfire during Covid – they are assholes
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Angry Byrd @tylerbigbyrd.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
850k fireworks is just not safe for the air, it is way, way too many particles There are records too stupid to try to break, but we got Trump I would leave DC, the moment Trump starts talking, roll up every window, and get your filters going, it is going to be a medical emergency for many N95 up
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Brigid @brigidbh.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
KKK incels marching at Trump's 250th party, that tracks. Cowards certainly wouldn't wear a mask during Covid to protect grandma.
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Sam @counsellingsam.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
@rubyslippahs.bsky.social hey.
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Amanda Finley Digs All the Spooky Things @rubyslippahs.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
I'll never stop fighting.
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly now. Love mercy now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it
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Amanda Finley Digs All the Spooky Things @rubyslippahs.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
About a month ago, I inadvertently took my nightly meds several times. I'm lucky things didn't go very very wrong. This is terrifying, to say the least. My son is only 13. Please, if you see something from me, let me know. Thank you, and thank you for being part of my life. 3/
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Amanda Finley Digs All the Spooky Things @rubyslippahs.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Throughout my long COVID course, I've been lucky. The cognitive issues that have plagued my friends largely seemed to skip me. But when I'm tired (like the beginning or the end of the day, things go awry. I send messages that make no sense. 2/
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Amanda Finley Digs All the Spooky Things @rubyslippahs.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Difficult post: I think I'm developing dementia. I got sick with COVID on March 6, 2020. A year later, I stopped driving because I was falling all the time. The falling and other changes improved over time, but they're starting to come back. www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti... 1/
nationalgeographic.com
Could viruses cause Alzheimer's? COVID-19 brain studies offer new clues.
The diseases share some surprising similarities, and experts now think studying COVID-19 patients' brains could lead to better treatments for both conditions.
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The Creatively Maladjusted @tyrotcm.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Long COVID. Wear a fucking respirator around other people. #CovidIsNotOver #MaskUp
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Indivisible Maynard Area @indivisiblemaynard.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
"The covid" killled 380K people in the US, when you were in office your first term. Had you told people to wear a mask and to stay home, and to trust the actual health professionals, they would have done it, and we would have had a lot fewer people to bury.
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Elke Hausmann @drelke.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Oh great! That’ll make people with PEM very happy 😵‍💫 #LongCovid #ME NHS to reward people who walk 30 minutes a day www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
NHS to reward people who walk 30 minutes a day
The "marathon a month" scheme, developed with former Olympic medallist Sir Brendan Foster, will launch early next year.
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Long Covid Advocacy @longcovidadvoc.com · 03/07/2026
✍️ Another excellent article by Dr Elke Hausmann. Her point that the prevalent medical textbook 'Kumar & Clarkes' STILL has ME as CFS in the psychiatric section despite a well-supported petition is well worth a read 👇 #longcovid #medsky
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Join the Mass Infection Resistance @spiritsofland.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Stupidest strategy I've ever heard. "White argues that Norway's coronavirus strategy relies on repeated and frequent infections in order to maintain immunity in the population" #CovidIsntOver #MedSky #IDSky
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Yukon Twitcher @yukonbirder.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
"We’ve chosen our mascot, the #Caladrius, a mythological #Bird with healing powers that has spanned numerous cultures and time to help guide us" - #LongCOVID @mileswgriffis.bsky.social @thesicktimes.org thesicktimes.org/2023/11/14/w...
thesicktimes.org
Welcome to The Sick Times, a letter from our co-founder Miles W. Griffis - The Sick Times
It’s not mysterious. A highly contagious airborne virus has spread around the world for the past four years and continues to infect people as I write. SARS-Cov-2 has killed an excess of 23 million peo...
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Would be great if clean air/covid aware folk complete this Canadian survey: “Youth Mental Health Canada is conducting this survey to understand the human rights, disability, inclusion, and educational barriers experienced by students with attendance challenges.” survey.ymhc.ngo/163695?lang=en
survey.ymhc.ngo
National Survey on School Attendance Challenges
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Neil Carpenter @neilcar.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
They couldn’t wear a “face diaper” for Covid but they’ll mask up for a heat wave. #geniuses
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Dr David Joffe MB BS(Hons), PhD, FRACP @davidjoffe64.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
I guess apart from Fox and Friends... The other 5 people who were attending this Trumpian cluster-fuck will be sorely disappointed 😂😂😂 Perhaps not the most useful example of the ravages of Climate Change
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Sam @counsellingsam.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
@davidjoffe64.bsky.social suspended from Twitter for what?
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paulusthewoodgnome @paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
This... ⤵️ "The only African immigrant who is ruining Britain is Elon Musk." via @counsellingsam.bsky.social
Elon Musk
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Sam @counsellingsam.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
If you know that covid is not over and you still take precautions to prevent getting covid, but we don't yet follow each other, let's fix that
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Sam @counsellingsam.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Has anyone else with Long COVID had terrible trouble with insomnia?
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Sam @counsellingsam.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
@snowleopardess.bsky.social is it still pretty dull here?
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Sam @counsellingsam.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
@snowleopardess.bsky.social hey Anne.
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Just Jill 💖 @justjill.sheshed.rocks · 01/04/2026
Wear a mask and get vaccinated. Do what you can to prevent getting Covid or a bad case of it. Long Covid is very real and the obvious, death factor. If you are able to prevent at least one bad thing, make it happen. Get ALL the vaccines offered. #SheShed www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Do you have the new Covid variant, flu or other virus? Look out for these symptoms
Flu and Covid, including a new variant called BA.3.2, nicknamed “cicada,” are still circulating, along with several other respiratory illnesses and a nasty stomach bug.
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Join the Mass Infection Resistance @spiritsofland.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
I’m sorry to let you know that there is going to be a new SARS CoV 2 variant once or twice a year, every year, for the foreseeable future. You don’t have to infect yourself with it. There is another way. #CovidIsntOver #MaskUp #CleanTheAir #MedSky #IDSky
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HOOGS (Hoarder Of Old Game Stuff). @psychosisfuzzball.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Covid = Brain damage. It was never brain "fog." #CovidIsNotOver
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Supporting Healthcare Heroes UK (SHH-UK) @shh-uk.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
March 15 is Long Covid Awareness Day 💚 Our Long Covid awareness pins are available now. Shop here 👉 shh-uk.org/shop/ #LongCovid #LongCovidAwareness #LongCovidAwarenessDay #LivingWithLongCovid #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllness
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Kate Violette @kateviolette.com · 03/03/2026
Oh man it's amazing to see Dianna back at it! 🥹
youtube.com
My first science video in 3 years
YouTube video by Physics Girl
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Final weekend. One last push. This is about whether you want local plumber Hannah Spencer or the extreme Reform candidate. It's hope vs hate. It's Greens vs Reform. Hope can win.
Hannah and Zack having a selfie
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Joseph Wells @josephwells.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
My dream is to stand as a Cllr Candidate and do vote posters & boards. People in #MidSuffolk who know me believe I would be great as a candidate. Where I live in Waveney Valley, I've volunteered and helped my local council. I know what people want! I hope my dream comes true!
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Sam @counsellingsam.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Labour should stand aside in Gorton and Denton. Hannah Spencer is the only candidate that brings hope not hate.
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Sam @counsellingsam.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Labour should stand aside in Gorton and Denton. Hannah Spencer is the only candidate that brings hope not hate.
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Darren and Benny 🙏🌍💚 @mrmoog.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Green and loves Dogs. How could you vote for anyone else. Wake up. Vote Green / Hannah Spencer. 🙏💚 #WakeUpVoteGreen
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Politics UK @dailycorruption.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
The tactical vote in Gorton & Denton is Green 💚 Vote Hannah Spencer. 🗳️
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Grumpy says "FREE THE PALESTINIAN HOSTAGES! @grumpyoldleftygit.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Or when someone says that voting for Hannah would split the anti-RefUK vote. bsky.app/profile/grum...
Screenshot of an on-line odds checker, showing that every major UK betting company gives better than even odds on Hannah Spencer winning the seat.

Labour is placed (by all) at third, behind RefUK.
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Colbobs.bsky.social "Col" he/him/his @colbobs.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
While Farage might be tempered in how he executes expulsions unlike Amin, the impacts on people, families, communities, the economy will have terrifying consequences. Vote for hope #gortondenton. Vote Hannah Spencer.
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Brexit Bin 🇪🇺 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 @brexitbin.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Here's Hannah Spencer on the need for MPs with different backgrounds. I've thought the same for years. The problem is our MPs mostly come from the same mindset, with similar backgrounds and qualifications. We need fewer lawyers and more scientists, artists, academics and everyone she mentions here.
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GreenJJNews @greenjjnews.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Delighted to be in Manchester today supporting Hannah Spencer for the Gorton and Denton by-election and seeing the energy of volunteers working together to get our Green message out there! 💚
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