Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
@mackayim.bsky.social
forever virologist, researcher, PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. australian.
#MasksWork
https://virologydownunder.com/
#MasksWork
https://virologydownunder.com/
Pinned
Below is a great example of how we should do social media.
Interaction - comments & likes✔️
➡️Comments make it easy to repost the article+comment, which refreshes the post in my timeline; new 👀.
Reposts ✔️
➡️Spreads the post into your sphere of influence, beyond my reach, where it gets more new 👀
Interaction - comments & likes✔️
➡️Comments make it easy to repost the article+comment, which refreshes the post in my timeline; new 👀.
Reposts ✔️
➡️Spreads the post into your sphere of influence, beyond my reach, where it gets more new 👀
United States #flu season according to CDC's Clinical Laboratory data.
🦠 Not an early season
🦠 Not taking off yet
🦠 Mainly Flu A(H3N2) Clade 2a.3a.1, Subclade K
🦠 Antigenicall, A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and B/Victoria viruses all "well recognised" by ferret antisera
🦠 Not an early season
🦠 Not taking off yet
🦠 Mainly Flu A(H3N2) Clade 2a.3a.1, Subclade K
🦠 Antigenicall, A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and B/Victoria viruses all "well recognised" by ferret antisera
December 2, 2025 at 4:52 AM
United States #flu season according to CDC's Clinical Laboratory data.
🦠 Not an early season
🦠 Not taking off yet
🦠 Mainly Flu A(H3N2) Clade 2a.3a.1, Subclade K
🦠 Antigenicall, A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and B/Victoria viruses all "well recognised" by ferret antisera
🦠 Not an early season
🦠 Not taking off yet
🦠 Mainly Flu A(H3N2) Clade 2a.3a.1, Subclade K
🦠 Antigenicall, A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and B/Victoria viruses all "well recognised" by ferret antisera
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Artist Andriy Yermolenko created a mural in Ternopil showing a child shielding her toys from a Russian missile.
It marks the 19 November strike that killed 35 people, including 7 children.
The mural is a call to strengthen air defense and protect Ukraine and its people.
Save Ukrainian children!
It marks the 19 November strike that killed 35 people, including 7 children.
The mural is a call to strengthen air defense and protect Ukraine and its people.
Save Ukrainian children!
December 2, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Artist Andriy Yermolenko created a mural in Ternopil showing a child shielding her toys from a Russian missile.
It marks the 19 November strike that killed 35 people, including 7 children.
The mural is a call to strengthen air defense and protect Ukraine and its people.
Save Ukrainian children!
It marks the 19 November strike that killed 35 people, including 7 children.
The mural is a call to strengthen air defense and protect Ukraine and its people.
Save Ukrainian children!
Seems about right...
December 2, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Seems about right...
They also elected him. So there's that.
What I cannot understand is that Americans by and large don't understand that Trump roots for Putin & not for democracy, rule of law, Ukraine or the US.
Don't they hear what he is saying & see what he is doing?
No, they just say "but he is our president!"
What stupidity!
Don't they hear what he is saying & see what he is doing?
No, they just say "but he is our president!"
What stupidity!
December 2, 2025 at 1:45 AM
They also elected him. So there's that.
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Spain has issued a NOTAM advising Spanish aircraft to avoid Venezuelan airspace.
It cites heightened military activity, the presence of anti-aircraft systems at all altitudes, and poor coordination between parties involved in the conflict.
It cites heightened military activity, the presence of anti-aircraft systems at all altitudes, and poor coordination between parties involved in the conflict.
December 1, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Spain has issued a NOTAM advising Spanish aircraft to avoid Venezuelan airspace.
It cites heightened military activity, the presence of anti-aircraft systems at all altitudes, and poor coordination between parties involved in the conflict.
It cites heightened military activity, the presence of anti-aircraft systems at all altitudes, and poor coordination between parties involved in the conflict.
Means nothing.
🇺🇸🇺🇦 The Trump administration is very optimistic about the chances of an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, - the White House
December 2, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Means nothing.
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
On top of the corruption and total lack of ethics, team Trump has zero understanding of Russia
December 1, 2025 at 7:56 PM
On top of the corruption and total lack of ethics, team Trump has zero understanding of Russia
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Peace cannot be made by sacrificing the country that is doing the dying.
December 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Peace cannot be made by sacrificing the country that is doing the dying.
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
What could possibly go wrong???
"Earlier this year, the Productivity Commission called for AI guardrails be put on hold until an audit of gaps in the law could be completed, so a potential $116 billion boost to the economy was not stifled"
Guardrails. Pfft. Who needs 'em? Charge ahead.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Guardrails. Pfft. Who needs 'em? Charge ahead.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Government drops AI 'mandatory guardrails', reveals road map on data centres
The federal government's long-awaited National AI Plan will seek to accelerate the growth of artificial intelligence in Australia, and largely leverage existing laws to protect against its worst harms...
www.abc.net.au
December 1, 2025 at 10:55 PM
What could possibly go wrong???
"Earlier this year, the Productivity Commission called for AI guardrails be put on hold until an audit of gaps in the law could be completed, so a potential $116 billion boost to the economy was not stifled"
Guardrails. Pfft. Who needs 'em? Charge ahead.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Guardrails. Pfft. Who needs 'em? Charge ahead.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Government drops AI 'mandatory guardrails', reveals road map on data centres
The federal government's long-awaited National AI Plan will seek to accelerate the growth of artificial intelligence in Australia, and largely leverage existing laws to protect against its worst harms...
www.abc.net.au
December 1, 2025 at 10:50 PM
"Earlier this year, the Productivity Commission called for AI guardrails be put on hold until an audit of gaps in the law could be completed, so a potential $116 billion boost to the economy was not stifled"
Guardrails. Pfft. Who needs 'em? Charge ahead.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Guardrails. Pfft. Who needs 'em? Charge ahead.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Its that time of the year again, guys 🎅
December 1, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Its that time of the year again, guys 🎅
According to Oxford University Press, which publishes the Oxford English Dictionary, 'rage bait' is online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive.
..typically posted in order to increase traffic..
www.bbc.com/news/article...
..typically posted in order to increase traffic..
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Rage bait named word of the year 2025 by Oxford University Press
The phrase - meaning to get angry scrolling through social media - beats aura farming and biohack to the title.
www.bbc.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:58 PM
According to Oxford University Press, which publishes the Oxford English Dictionary, 'rage bait' is online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive.
..typically posted in order to increase traffic..
www.bbc.com/news/article...
..typically posted in order to increase traffic..
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
'Rage bait' has been named the Oxford Word of the Year 2025
December 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
'Rage bait' has been named the Oxford Word of the Year 2025
Ebola virus disease - Democratic Republic of the Congo. Outbreak ends.
"On 1 December 2025, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared the end of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak which had been declared on 4 September 2025"
www.who.int/emergencies/...
"On 1 December 2025, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared the end of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak which had been declared on 4 September 2025"
www.who.int/emergencies/...
Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo
On 1 December 2025, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared the end of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak which had been declared on 4 September 2025. T...
www.who.int
December 1, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Ebola virus disease - Democratic Republic of the Congo. Outbreak ends.
"On 1 December 2025, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared the end of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak which had been declared on 4 September 2025"
www.who.int/emergencies/...
"On 1 December 2025, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared the end of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak which had been declared on 4 September 2025"
www.who.int/emergencies/...
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
🇺🇦 During November 2025, air defense of Defense Forces destroyed 9,707 air targets:
▪️ 11 Kinzhal;
▪️ 51 Kh-101;
▪️ 15 Iskander-M/KN-23;
▪️ 20 Kalibr;
▪️ 3 Kh-59/69;
▪️ 19 Iskander-K;
▪️ 2,939 Shaheds;
▪️ 361 reconnaissance UAVs;
▪️ 6,288 UAVs.
▪️ 11 Kinzhal;
▪️ 51 Kh-101;
▪️ 15 Iskander-M/KN-23;
▪️ 20 Kalibr;
▪️ 3 Kh-59/69;
▪️ 19 Iskander-K;
▪️ 2,939 Shaheds;
▪️ 361 reconnaissance UAVs;
▪️ 6,288 UAVs.
December 1, 2025 at 11:47 AM
🇺🇦 During November 2025, air defense of Defense Forces destroyed 9,707 air targets:
▪️ 11 Kinzhal;
▪️ 51 Kh-101;
▪️ 15 Iskander-M/KN-23;
▪️ 20 Kalibr;
▪️ 3 Kh-59/69;
▪️ 19 Iskander-K;
▪️ 2,939 Shaheds;
▪️ 361 reconnaissance UAVs;
▪️ 6,288 UAVs.
▪️ 11 Kinzhal;
▪️ 51 Kh-101;
▪️ 15 Iskander-M/KN-23;
▪️ 20 Kalibr;
▪️ 3 Kh-59/69;
▪️ 19 Iskander-K;
▪️ 2,939 Shaheds;
▪️ 361 reconnaissance UAVs;
▪️ 6,288 UAVs.
Good evening.
December 1, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Good evening.
May
⚡️NATO may get 'more aggressive' in countering Russia’s hybrid attacks, top military official says.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, who chairs NATO’s Military Committee, told the Financial Times that the alliance is reassessing how it confronts hybrid threats that have intensified across Europe.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, who chairs NATO’s Military Committee, told the Financial Times that the alliance is reassessing how it confronts hybrid threats that have intensified across Europe.
NATO may get 'more aggressive' in countering Russia’s hybrid attacks, top military official says
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, who chairs NATO’s Military Committee, told the Financial Times that the alliance is reassessing how it confronts hybrid threats that have intensified across Europe.
kyivindependent.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:45 AM
May
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Excellent news.
December 1, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Excellent news.
"These were madmen, Simon realized, and that was the direst problem of the world: that madmen should be strong and unafraid, so that they could force their will on the weak and peace-loving."
-To Green Angel Tower: Memory, Sorrow & Thorn Books 3 & 4 by Tad Williams
-To Green Angel Tower: Memory, Sorrow & Thorn Books 3 & 4 by Tad Williams
To Green Angel Tower: Memory, Sorrow & Thorn Books 3 & 4
Quote shared via Kindle: "These were madmen, Simon realized, and that was the direst problem of the world: that madmen should be strong and unafraid, so that they could force their will on the weak an...
read.amazon.com.au
December 1, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"These were madmen, Simon realized, and that was the direst problem of the world: that madmen should be strong and unafraid, so that they could force their will on the weak and peace-loving."
-To Green Angel Tower: Memory, Sorrow & Thorn Books 3 & 4 by Tad Williams
-To Green Angel Tower: Memory, Sorrow & Thorn Books 3 & 4 by Tad Williams
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Vaccines save lives.
December 1, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Vaccines save lives.
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Look what vaccines do — even cancer prevention.
RFKJr’s anti-vaxx cruelty is deadly.
RFKJr’s anti-vaxx cruelty is deadly.
December 1, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Look what vaccines do — even cancer prevention.
RFKJr’s anti-vaxx cruelty is deadly.
RFKJr’s anti-vaxx cruelty is deadly.
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Both vaccines will be protective against the vast majority of the oncogenic HPV's. The other oncogenic strains are quite rare, and there will be cross-reactive immunity anyway.
November 30, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Both vaccines will be protective against the vast majority of the oncogenic HPV's. The other oncogenic strains are quite rare, and there will be cross-reactive immunity anyway.
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
This is incredible. Vaccines save lives.
December 1, 2025 at 12:00 AM
This is incredible. Vaccines save lives.
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Vaccines work
December 1, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Vaccines work
Taking a different turn as I watch a drone buzz overhead filming who knows what, launched by who knows whom from who knows where?
I'm amazed we haven't yet seen harm caused by bad actors or disenfranchised (trying to cover a wide range here) people using drones to damage civilian infrastructure. 1/3
I'm amazed we haven't yet seen harm caused by bad actors or disenfranchised (trying to cover a wide range here) people using drones to damage civilian infrastructure. 1/3
December 1, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Taking a different turn as I watch a drone buzz overhead filming who knows what, launched by who knows whom from who knows where?
I'm amazed we haven't yet seen harm caused by bad actors or disenfranchised (trying to cover a wide range here) people using drones to damage civilian infrastructure. 1/3
I'm amazed we haven't yet seen harm caused by bad actors or disenfranchised (trying to cover a wide range here) people using drones to damage civilian infrastructure. 1/3