Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 02/10/2026It would really help my crossword-solving skills if my brain were capable of retaining which part of a church is the apse and which is the nave 4321
Reposted by Maggie AstorMaggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Following up on last night's news: I asked HHS who's running the Press 3 option. They sent a general statement about the reopening that didn't answer that. But it did contain this sentence. HHS itself doesn't run the hotline, and the main 988 operator, Vibrant, is not anti-LGBTQ. But I'm working... 1278
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 01/10/2026This was the argument for why I had to stand when I was a cashier at a clothing store, and it didn't make me more attentive or hospitable. It just made my feet hurt so much that after my shift, I had to sit in the car for 15 minutes before I could stand to press the gas pedal 7661
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 30/09/2026The 988 suicide prevention hotline's Press 3 option — which provides specialized services to LGBTQ callers — has been restored more than a year after the Trump administration shut it down. Confirmed by HHS and the office of Senator Tammy Baldwin, who led on legislation that forced its restoration 3433351059
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Help, I think I assembled my Ikea cat wrong 1829126
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Several start-ups are marketing tests that they say can diagnose endometriosis without surgery. That would be huge — but experts I spoke to urged caution. The evidence for these tests is preliminary, from small studies in groups that may not be representative.nytimes.comNew Tests Claim to Diagnose Endometriosis. Here’s What to Know. (Gift Article)Patients and doctors are eager for a noninvasive way to diagnose the disease, and several start-ups are offering new options. Here’s what to know about them. 37720
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 28/09/2026I love it when I'm doing a final fact-check on a story publishing tomorrow and the website housing an important document is down. Love it 1161
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 24/09/2026I don't believe he doesn't know his address and phone #. But if we pretend it's true, that would be so damning in a way he doesn't intend: It'd mean for however long he's lived at that address and had that #, he hasn't once had to do something like fill out a check-in form for a doctor himself. 3554
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Sometime this week, someone posted a thread about physiological responses to long-term stress/existential dread, and giving yourself grace if you constantly feel on the verge of burnout these days. I wanted to share it with someone and can't find it — anyone know what I'm talking about and have it? 14111
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 23/09/2026State of Maggie's Subconscious: I dreamed I forgot my bag on the subway and realized it just as the doors closed behind me and was stranded at the museum I was going to (?) with my belongings lost. I woke up super stressed and all morning have been deeply rattled by something that didn't happen 1220
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Sweaty guy on the train leaning miserably against the window, unmasked, coughing without covering his mouth God almighty I hate it here 1211
Reposted by Maggie AstorMargarita @margarita.bsky.social · 18/09/202671% seems lowgizmodo.com71% of Americans Say They're Completely ExhaustedA CDC report shows that people are not feeling relaxed and restful in the United States. 52038341
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 18/09/2026I recognize this is very first-world-problems, but I've had such a long workday and am annoyed by the fact that I want to treat myself to dinner and dessert but there is no overlap between "restaurants I want to order dinner from" and "restaurants I want to order dessert from" 3670
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Now with updates: Among Kennedy's new appointees to USPSTF are at least three (including the chairman) who have denounced gender-affirming care for trans teens or work with organizations that oppose that care. At least two have criticized Covid shots or said fewer people should get them.nytimes.comRFK Jr. Names New Members to Powerful Health Panel Whose Work He Has Blocked (Gift Article)The selections suggest the Trump administration may be trying to move the United States Preventive Services Task Force in a direction that serves its political ideology. 36227
Reposted by Maggie AstorMaggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026I've updated with initial information on the new appointees. At least 2 have denounced gender-affirming care for trans teens. At least 2 have spoken/published on very rare cardiovascular side effects of Covid vaccines. More to come. I'm reachable on Signal at maggieastor.63 if you have info.nytimes.comKennedy Names New Members to Powerful Health Panel Whose Work He Has Blocked (Gift Article)Mr. Kennedy has repeatedly interfered with the work of the United States Preventive Services Task Force, whose recommendations guide insurance coverage for many Americans. 1309
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026BREAKING: RFK Jr. appointed 8 new members to the US Preventive Services Task Force, after more than a year of stymieing its work. I'm diving into their backgrounds now and will update soon. The selection process was opaque and HHS didn't provide required public access to the nomination materials.nytimes.comKennedy Names New Members to Powerful Health Panel Whose Work He Has Blocked (Gift Article)Mr. Kennedy has repeatedly interfered with the work of the United States Preventive Services Task Force, whose recommendations guide insurance coverage for many Americans. 610455
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026ma'am please tell your chatbot I'm a health reporter 1222
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026I remain convinced that the Connections testers think the difficulty scale goes from 1 to 3 instead of 1 to 5 060
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Life update: There is a spotted lanternfly inside this lampshade and my cat is wailing with frustration 1171
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 16/09/2026The CDC hasn't yet authorized the updated Covid shots through the Vaccines for Children program, which serves uninsured and low-income kids. (First reported by WSJ.) A source told me career officials at CDC — employees who aren't political appointees — have been working to make them available.nytimes.comCovid Vaccines Delayed for Half of U.S. Children (Gift Article)The Health Department has not decided whether to provide the shots to states through the Vaccines for Children program, which serves uninsured and low-income families. 2156107
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Look, I'm going to be unwisely honest and admit that even as a too-online person extremely immersed in the news, while I had vaguely heard the name "Robert Kraft" before this week, I could not have told you who he was beyond "some rich guy" 7201
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Look, I don't ask for a lot, but I don't think the ventilation in a DOCTOR'S OFFICE should be three times worse than the ventilation on a crowded NYC subway car (the little yellow upward blip on the right). For comparison, the green plateau on the left is the NYT office. 5274
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Look who's got four paws and a catnip banana and just got perfect labwork at his 13-year checkup 2432
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 09/09/2026I've been trying for a month to get a business (personal life, not work) to answer one simple but really important question, and they never answer their phone and don't return voicemails and don't have an email on their site, and I feel the pressure building up like fucking tectonic plates 4191
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 05/09/2026A couple updates: Sanofi (Novavax) has begun shipping, and Walgreens will stop requiring prescriptions in Oregon after state officials took action. (I haven't heard back from CVS yet, but very possible they will do the same.) My article will be updated soon with this information.nytimes.comNew Covid Vaccines Are Available. Here’s How to Get One. (Gift Article)The shots have been approved for people 65 and older, and for younger people with underlying conditions. Others may be able to get them off label. 7352175
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Some personal news (redaction is only because I don't think it's my place, while reporting on the vaccines, to elevate a specific one of the three manufacturers, and anyway I'm just getting the one that happens to be in stock at the most convenient pharmacy) 2272
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Covid vaccines are now in stock at CVS, according to a spokeswoman. CVS will require prescriptions in three states: Arizona, Louisiana and Oregon. (Walgreens is also requiring them in Arizona and Oregon.) This could change if state officials act. My article will be updated soon with this info.nytimes.comF.D.A. Approves New Covid Vaccines, and They Should Be Available Soon (Gift Article)The shots have been approved for people 65 and older, and for younger people with underlying conditions. Others may be able to get them off label. 12296153
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Oh no another way to spend more time on my phone Wordle in 1 Bonus September 2, 2026 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 4:46 2100
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 03/09/2026My first apartment out of college was a narrow railroad apt in Bushwick. You entered in the kitchen and walked through like so: kitchen, BR 1, infinitesimal living room, BR 2. Bedroom 2 was the only room with a door. I was in BR 1, separated from the kitchen and living room by accordion dividers 🧵 4513
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 02/09/2026A group of major medical organizations released recommendations this morning for Covid, flu and RSV vaccination, including guidance for the general population as well as specifics for children, people over 65, pregnant people and immunocompromised people. Here's a guide.nytimes.comYour Guide to Covid, Flu and R.S.V. Vaccines This Fall (Gift Article)Major medical groups released new recommendations on who should get the shots, citing a lack of strong guidance from the federal government. 13318190
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 01/09/2026This argument is so absurd that I want to know if the lawyers felt embarrassed writing it. Nobody (except people who bought the NFT hype 🫠) thinks they own an *exclusive* copy of a digital product. They think they own A copy. A copy that can't be yanked off their device later. 55514
Reposted by Maggie AstorThe City Reporter @thecityreporter.nyc · 01/09/2026"Ida is precisely the day we stopped primarily worrying about coastal flooding and started worrying about stormwater."thecityreporter.nyc5 Years After Ida, NYC Is Still Struggling To Deal With Extreme Rain and Deadly FloodingHeavy rain and flooding is expected to become more common and intense in the city due to climate change. 04013
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 01/09/2026If you're someone who, like me, fully appreciates the importance of vaccines but is also needle-phobic, I can't recommend enough finding a likeminded friend who you can get vaxed with and then get baked goods. Because now it's on my schedule not as "needle 😭" but "see my friend and have cake!" 914224
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 01/09/2026I've added a section on pediatric access to my article (gift link). The gist is that in some (not all!) states, even some where Covid shots are freely available to adults, there may be restrictions on kids' ability to get them *at pharmacies.* You may need to seek the shot from their pediatrician.nytimes.comF.D.A. Approves New Covid Vaccines, and They Should Be Available Soon (Gift Article)The shots have been approved for people 65 and older, and for younger people with underlying conditions. Others may be able to get them off label. 0139
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 01/09/2026If anyone has DIRECT KNOWLEDGE of whether the Vaccines for Children program will provide the new Covid shots in the absence of an ACIP recommendation, please email me (maggie.astor at nytimes dot com) or message on Signal (maggieastor.63). I can offer anonymity if you need it. I protect my sources. 13428
Reposted by Maggie AstorApoorva Mandavilli @apoorvanyt.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Erica Schwartz, the new CDC director, ordered agency officials to challenge two measles deaths reported by PA, shunning the agency’s normal procedure of accepting state data and amplifying comments made by her boss, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/31/h...nytimes.comC.D.C. Director Challenges Pennsylvania’s Report of Two Measles Deaths (Gift Article)Questioning a state’s investigation is highly unusual for the public health agency, but reflects tensions between the Trump administration and many states over health issues. 62485270
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 31/08/2026I've confirmed Walgreens will let people self-attest that they qualify for an updated Covid shot—meaning they won't require proof of a high-risk condition—in all states EXCEPT AZ/OR/UT, where prescription is required for now. (Rx requirement in those states could change) Pls see next post in threadnytimes.comF.D.A. Approves New Covid Vaccines, and They Should Be Available Soon (Gift Article)The shots have been approved for people 65 and older, and for younger people with underlying conditions. Others may be able to get them off label. 13577298
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 30/08/2026I am inordinately fascinated by this note I just found in a copy of "The Turn of the Screw" that I haven't previously opened in the many years it's been on my shelf. I don't remember where I got the book. 1222
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Walgreens has confirmed initial state-by-state availability of Covid vaccines. It may change — last year, some states that initially had age or prescription limits lost them when state officials acted — but this is the situation for now. Other pharmacies may have different policies. 18279146
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 28/08/2026@joshuajfriedman.com please humor my intolerance for unread notifications: How can I get rid of the blue dot, which refers to the "go live" feature? (Maybe I have to click "go live" to register that I've seen it? But I don't want to do that if it actually takes me live with no confirmation step) 2141
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 28/08/2026A small update: I've confirmed CVS and Walgreens expect to have vaccines in stock within a few days. I have NOT yet confirmed the state-by-state breakdown of requirements (e.g., if there are states where Rx will be required or there will be other limitations). PLEASE READ NEXT POST BEFORE COMMENTINGnytimes.comWhat to Know About New Covid Vaccines for Fall 2026 (Gift Article)The shots have been approved for people 65 and older, and for younger people with underlying conditions. Others may be able to get them off label. 525596
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 28/08/2026I'm glad you all appreciate my work, because it is not appreciated by my cat, who is currently running an experiment titled "If I Attempt to Eat the Human's Ankles, Will She Pay Attention to Me Instead of Her Glowy Rectangle" 1507
Reposted by Maggie AstorThe New York Times @nytimes.com · 27/08/2026The FDA approved updated Covid vaccines on Thursday, clearing the way for manufacturers to ship doses to pharmacies and doctors’ offices. But criteria set by the agency and a legal dispute could complicate access for some people.nyti.msWhat to Know About New Covid Vaccines for Fall 2026The shots have been approved for people 65 and older, and for younger people with underlying conditions. Others may be able to get them off label. 68937
Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Article here. This will be updated as I learn more, especially about any access difficulties. If a question is unanswered in this article, I don't know the answer yet, but I'm working hard to get more info as quickly as possible.nytimes.comWhat to Know About New Covid Vaccines for Fall 2026 (Gift Article)The shots have been approved for people 65 and older, and for younger people with underlying conditions. Others may be able to get them off label. 22721325