Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
@hwsteinecker.bsky.social
Global Health Infectious Disease Policy and Healthcare Operations Nerd; Chief Cat Lover; Former Deputy of CA Public Health
Pinned
Time for everyone to look to the #WestcoastHealthAlliance, #NortheastPublicHealthCollaborative, and every state and local public health. Alliances and collaborations between states and regions right now are critical to guide our populations.
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
While RFK Jr spreads conspiracies, California will stick to science.
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
While RFK Jr spreads conspiracies, California will stick to science.
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
Most Americans want science to govern our public health policy. Not crackpot ideas.
This move marks a dire turning point for the CDC that the next Congress and administration must correct ASAP.
www.huffpost.com/entry/cdc-up...
This move marks a dire turning point for the CDC that the next Congress and administration must correct ASAP.
www.huffpost.com/entry/cdc-up...
CDC Updates Website To Promote Debunked Theory On Vaccines And Autism
“DO NOT TRUST THIS AGENCY. This is a national embarrassment,” said ex-CDC vaccines chief Dr. Demetre Daskalakis.
www.huffpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Most Americans want science to govern our public health policy. Not crackpot ideas.
This move marks a dire turning point for the CDC that the next Congress and administration must correct ASAP.
www.huffpost.com/entry/cdc-up...
This move marks a dire turning point for the CDC that the next Congress and administration must correct ASAP.
www.huffpost.com/entry/cdc-up...
Dangerous for all
WHO to lose nearly a quarter of its workforce – 2,000 jobs – due to US withdrawing funding
WHO to lose nearly a quarter of its workforce – 2,000 jobs – due to US withdrawing funding
Donald Trump’s administration withdrew from the World Health Organization in January, prompting the agency to scale back its work
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Dangerous for all
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
"Experts have called the possibility of losing elimination status for measles 'deeply embarrassing' for a wealthy country with the medical resources of the United States..."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/h...
C.D.C. Links Measles Outbreaks in Multiple States for the First Time
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:59 PM
"Experts have called the possibility of losing elimination status for measles 'deeply embarrassing' for a wealthy country with the medical resources of the United States..."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/h...
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
The Indiana State Senate rejected President Donald Trump’s call for a special session to redraw the state’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms. The move preserves Indiana’s current map and represents yet another rebuke of Trump’s national gerrymander push.
Indiana GOPers Defy Trump, Vote Against Gerrymander Session
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:57 AM
The Indiana State Senate rejected President Donald Trump’s call for a special session to redraw the state’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms. The move preserves Indiana’s current map and represents yet another rebuke of Trump’s national gerrymander push.
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
Powerful.
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Powerful.
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
Ethiopia confirmed its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease. It's the same strain reported in previous outbreaks in other East African nations, according to the WHO
Ethiopia Confirms First Outbreak of Marburg Virus After Testing
Ethiopia confirmed its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease after sending samples from a cluster of suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever for testing earlier this week.
bloom.bg
November 15, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Ethiopia confirmed its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease. It's the same strain reported in previous outbreaks in other East African nations, according to the WHO
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
📢 Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness in babies under 1 caused by eating something containing the bacteria. If your baby has trouble feeding, seems “floppy” or constipated, talk to your pediatrician right away.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/cls/idld/ibtpp/Pages/InfantBotulism.aspx
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/cls/idld/ibtpp/Pages/InfantBotulism.aspx
November 11, 2025 at 11:15 PM
📢 Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness in babies under 1 caused by eating something containing the bacteria. If your baby has trouble feeding, seems “floppy” or constipated, talk to your pediatrician right away.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/cls/idld/ibtpp/Pages/InfantBotulism.aspx
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/cls/idld/ibtpp/Pages/InfantBotulism.aspx
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
Jeffries: "I'm not gonna respond to any comments from randos like Dr Oz who is woefully unqualified to be in whatever position he holds in the administration. He's a joke."
November 10, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Jeffries: "I'm not gonna respond to any comments from randos like Dr Oz who is woefully unqualified to be in whatever position he holds in the administration. He's a joke."
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
Tonight’s Senate vote on the federal government shutdown should have been a time for strength.
Instead we saw capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans.
The American people need more from their leaders.
Instead we saw capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans.
The American people need more from their leaders.
November 10, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Tonight’s Senate vote on the federal government shutdown should have been a time for strength.
Instead we saw capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans.
The American people need more from their leaders.
Instead we saw capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans.
The American people need more from their leaders.
They sold out the very people they swore to protect. People will lose access to healthcare, costs will sore, and people will die. Remember these names below…
The 8 Dems who surrendered: @SenAngusKing @timkaine @SenCortezMasto @JohnFetterman @SenatorDurbin @SenatorHassan @SenatorShaheen @SenJackyRosen
November 10, 2025 at 4:46 AM
They sold out the very people they swore to protect. People will lose access to healthcare, costs will sore, and people will die. Remember these names below…
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
As Trump’s deportation campaign continues, thousands of detainees with no criminal record are being detained. But “for every person arrested whose name and story we’ve learned, there are thousands we haven’t heard about,” Caitlin Dickerson reports.
The Deportees Whose Stories We’ll Never Know
Amid the president’s fast-moving deportation campaign, the stories of most people being swept up are missed.
bit.ly
November 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
As Trump’s deportation campaign continues, thousands of detainees with no criminal record are being detained. But “for every person arrested whose name and story we’ve learned, there are thousands we haven’t heard about,” Caitlin Dickerson reports.
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
Observations show the disk of our galaxy is not flat but warped and waving. Astronomers are still working out the reasons why
Astronomers Catch the Milky Way Doing the ‘Wave’
Observations show the disk of our galaxy is not flat but warped and waving. Astronomers are still working out the reasons why
www.scientificamerican.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Observations show the disk of our galaxy is not flat but warped and waving. Astronomers are still working out the reasons why
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
Second-highest number of rabid bats ever recorded in L.A. County, officials say
Second-highest number of rabid bats ever recorded in L.A. County, officials say
People have been advised to immediately report to Animal Control any bat found inside, or outdoors if the bat appears sick, active during the day, unable to fly or dead.
www.latimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Second-highest number of rabid bats ever recorded in L.A. County, officials say
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
AOC: We have a future to fight for, and we're either going to do that together or you're going to be left behind. It's not about Progressive. It's not moderate, it's not liberal. This is about do you understand the assignment of fighting fascism right now? And the assignment is you come together…
November 5, 2025 at 3:24 AM
AOC: We have a future to fight for, and we're either going to do that together or you're going to be left behind. It's not about Progressive. It's not moderate, it's not liberal. This is about do you understand the assignment of fighting fascism right now? And the assignment is you come together…
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
This is the president of the United States taking a break from gold-and-marble interior renovations to say he’ll defy a court order to feed hungry Americans.
Nero would be proud.
Nero would be proud.
November 4, 2025 at 7:47 PM
This is the president of the United States taking a break from gold-and-marble interior renovations to say he’ll defy a court order to feed hungry Americans.
Nero would be proud.
Nero would be proud.
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
rightwing guy inherits insurance empire from his dad.
struck with revelation that the rich should run everything! "a proper elite that takes care of the country".
builds JD vance from dust to ensure just that.
profits!
gets wapo treatment as a big thinker.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
struck with revelation that the rich should run everything! "a proper elite that takes care of the country".
builds JD vance from dust to ensure just that.
profits!
gets wapo treatment as a big thinker.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
The secretive donor circle that lifted JD Vance is now rewriting MAGA’s future
Chris Buskirk put tech elites in power in Trump’s Washington. His efforts are grounded in a controversial theory: An “aristocracy” is needed to move the country forward.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:48 PM
rightwing guy inherits insurance empire from his dad.
struck with revelation that the rich should run everything! "a proper elite that takes care of the country".
builds JD vance from dust to ensure just that.
profits!
gets wapo treatment as a big thinker.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
struck with revelation that the rich should run everything! "a proper elite that takes care of the country".
builds JD vance from dust to ensure just that.
profits!
gets wapo treatment as a big thinker.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
If your power depends on breaking the rules, you were never strong to begin with.
Our kids deserve better. They deserve honesty, decency, and care for others, not the example we see from our nation’s leader.
Our kids deserve better. They deserve honesty, decency, and care for others, not the example we see from our nation’s leader.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom: I will not raise my children to think Donald Trump is an acceptable American leader. He is a con artist, a predator, a malignant narcissist, and the worst president in our nation's history.
November 4, 2025 at 12:44 AM
If your power depends on breaking the rules, you were never strong to begin with.
Our kids deserve better. They deserve honesty, decency, and care for others, not the example we see from our nation’s leader.
Our kids deserve better. They deserve honesty, decency, and care for others, not the example we see from our nation’s leader.
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
November 1, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Reposted by Heidi W. Steinecker, DrPH
Even chimpanzees think rationally and weigh the evidence when making a choice ;-)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Chimpanzees rationally revise their beliefs
The selective revision of beliefs in light of new evidence has been considered one of the hallmarks of human-level rationality. However, tests of this ability in other species are lacking. We examined...
www.science.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Even chimpanzees think rationally and weigh the evidence when making a choice ;-)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...