My updated recommended follows for February 20, 2021. Let me know if you want to be removed or added. To be added, we need to be following each other.

This year has been momentous, with a new virus, a new job writing about that virus (114 articles!) and many new sources, readers and Twitter followers. To chronicle this insane year, I'm compiling some of the stories I'm proudest of. A thread.

Exactly a year ago, my family and I were headed back from Vietnam, with no idea how close we had been to the outbreak brewing in China. It took me a while to realize the gravity, but this first story I wrote about the virus still (mostly) holds

In March, it became increasingly obvious from research being published that the virus could spread in the absence of symptoms. Yet US officials were still mostly pooh-poohing it. In this article I talked to scientists who knew

We know now that some of the worst effects of Covid-19 are because of the body's immune response, not just the virus itself. There were just early hints of that when I wrote this piece about cytokine

In this story in May, I delved into what we knew about the relationship between the viral dose and the risk of infection -- a topic we still know woefully little

What I learnt on the Twitter this week:

1. Well I know I learnt a lot more on Twitter this week than Trump did.
2. After Covid numbers skyrocket in Ontario for past four months, Doug Ford says the data modelling suggests he might have to stop his cross-province campaigning soon.

3. After the assault on the Capitol this week, the CPC finally pulls camou MAGA hats from online merch shop.
4. With pictures of the CPC's Deputy Leader wearing a camou MAGA hat circulating, Michelle Rempel expresses outrage that Candice Bergen getting more attention than she is.

5. UCP MLA Pat Rehn issues statement after return from Xmas trip to Mexico. Says he is sorry, but also very excellent.
6. Jason Kenney says he knows he's failed Albertans and that's why he moved up to the Sky Palace to help him see things from the everyday people's perspective.

7. Westjet insists Kenney government provide more notice of planned out-of-country travel next time so airline can be sure to have enough planes ready.
8. Blogger Karen Bexte travels to DC for insurrection, asks to speak to Canada's manager after he's asked to take a Covid test.

9. Trump says the crowd he got to attack the Capitol was far larger than any crowd Obama ever got to attack the Capitol. Huge crowd. Tremendous crowd of terrorists.
10. After being shut down on every major social media platform, Trump seen at Radio Shack haggling over a CB radio.

Happy 2021, everyone!

To kick off the new year right, here is a thread of people that I love to follow. Check them out and follow them if you can. If we follow each other and you want to be added, please let me know.

Love,
Rata

OK heres a thread I should have done a LONG time ago

HOW TO GET BACK ON TWITTER WHEN U BEEN BANNED

101

here goes

Step 1

U cannot connect Ur last account to Ur new one

meaning NEW PHONE NUMBER, NEW EMAIL.

ALWAYS have a VPN.

keep going
👇👇👇👇👇

I dont fully know wtf a VPN really is either. LOL
BUT I know that the FIREFOX browser is the BEST because it has an AUTOMATIC VPN in it if U always use a PRIVATE BROWSING WINDOW.
@CEOofgenz taught me this firefox trick, as well as VK suggested it a lot.

keep going
👇👇👇👇👇

Once U exhaust Ur main phone # on ur banned acct

then U need to create a GOOGLE VOICE NUMBER for Ur new acct.

They will allow U to make a new account with only email, but shortly in they will require U give them a phone #.

USE GOOGLE VOICE, download the app, connect it.

You are allowed ONE google voice number PER cell phone U have. So that means TWO potential twitter accounts PER cell phone U have. Once u burn thru those two #'s U have to buy a new burner phone to make a new account with a new #.

Keep going 👇👇👇👇👇

For Ur new email, its easiest to set up a new email account on

protonmail

its extremely FAST and they dont require all the vindication nonsense that the [DS] big tech email people do.

Use it.

ALWAYS WRITE DOWN ALL UR NEW #'s and emails and passwords. Keep them organized.