Marquisha Johns
@marquishajohns.bsky.social
passionate health advocate seeking a more equitable and just world | amateur foodie | opinions are mine
Incredibly tough time for public health right now, but this new article from my old colleague and I highlights a few critical priorities states can take to continue progress on health and wellbeing.
As the Trump administration slashes programs and resources, states are on the hook to reinforce public health protections, mitigate harms, and safeguard the public’s health. See CAP's new article: www.americanprogress.org/article/4-wa...
4 Ways States Can Safeguard Public Health During the Trump Administration
In the face of Trump administration threats to public health, states can empower and equip public health officials with the tools they need to protect their communities.
www.americanprogress.org
April 2, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Incredibly tough time for public health right now, but this new article from my old colleague and I highlights a few critical priorities states can take to continue progress on health and wellbeing.
Reposted by Marquisha Johns
Just in case: @statnews.com has backed up and is monitoring #CDC 's data. www.statnews.com/2025/02/14/t...
STAT is backing up and monitoring CDC data in real time: See what's changing
STAT is backing up and monitoring CDC data in real time: See what's changing.
www.statnews.com
February 14, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Just in case: @statnews.com has backed up and is monitoring #CDC 's data. www.statnews.com/2025/02/14/t...
Reposted by Marquisha Johns
Today, along with 2,000 other NIH employees, I had to clear out my office 😭
It was truly the honor of my life to work with such incredibly passionate people focused on improving human health. I’ve never experienced a more positive culture where *everyone* cared about their job and serving others.
It was truly the honor of my life to work with such incredibly passionate people focused on improving human health. I’ve never experienced a more positive culture where *everyone* cared about their job and serving others.
February 14, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Today, along with 2,000 other NIH employees, I had to clear out my office 😭
It was truly the honor of my life to work with such incredibly passionate people focused on improving human health. I’ve never experienced a more positive culture where *everyone* cared about their job and serving others.
It was truly the honor of my life to work with such incredibly passionate people focused on improving human health. I’ve never experienced a more positive culture where *everyone* cared about their job and serving others.
Absolutely recommend checking out @emmbadger.bsky.social’s new NYT article for those wanting to dig in more on NIH cuts. The combination of my article and hers really highlights the different attacks here—infectious dz, overhead cuts—and what they mean for states!
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
February 14, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Absolutely recommend checking out @emmbadger.bsky.social’s new NYT article for those wanting to dig in more on NIH cuts. The combination of my article and hers really highlights the different attacks here—infectious dz, overhead cuts—and what they mean for states!
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Louisiana with yet another bad vaccine policy. It’s almost like they waited to make sure RFK Jr., a vaccine conspiracist, was empowered before make this move. Proud to see my hometown, New Orleans, and its health department taking a stand!
Louisiana's Department of Health says it will no longer promote mass vaccination. www.cnn.com/2025/02/13/h...
Louisiana Department of Health says it will no longer promote mass vaccination | CNN
The Louisiana Department of Health will no longer promote mass vaccination, the state’s surgeon general, Dr. Ralph Abraham, told state health workers Thursday.
www.cnn.com
February 14, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Louisiana with yet another bad vaccine policy. It’s almost like they waited to make sure RFK Jr., a vaccine conspiracist, was empowered before make this move. Proud to see my hometown, New Orleans, and its health department taking a stand!
We should anticipate even more drastic changes to NIH following RFK Jr.’s confirmation as HHS Secretary—changes that undermine scientific integrity, innovation, and public trust.
www.americanprogress.org/article/how-...
www.americanprogress.org/article/how-...
How Cuts to NIH Research Funding Would Hurt States
Proposed changes to the National Institutes of Health’s $48 billion budget would risk jobs, threaten state economies, and hamper progress toward prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer.
www.americanprogress.org
February 13, 2025 at 8:36 PM
We should anticipate even more drastic changes to NIH following RFK Jr.’s confirmation as HHS Secretary—changes that undermine scientific integrity, innovation, and public trust.
www.americanprogress.org/article/how-...
www.americanprogress.org/article/how-...
Reposted by Marquisha Johns
RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine record speaks for itself, even if he tries to deny it. Last week, Sen. @chrismurphyct.bsky.social called out exactly this.
RFK Jr. puts your health at risk. Take action now before it’s too late:
www.americanprogress.org/take-action/...
RFK Jr. puts your health at risk. Take action now before it’s too late:
www.americanprogress.org/take-action/...
February 4, 2025 at 7:25 PM
RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine record speaks for itself, even if he tries to deny it. Last week, Sen. @chrismurphyct.bsky.social called out exactly this.
RFK Jr. puts your health at risk. Take action now before it’s too late:
www.americanprogress.org/take-action/...
RFK Jr. puts your health at risk. Take action now before it’s too late:
www.americanprogress.org/take-action/...
It's happening.
Context for the CDC eliminating data from its website today. This was in Project 2025.
January 31, 2025 at 6:26 PM
It's happening.
On top of this weirdness, buried here is a provision prohibiting communities from implementing vaccine or mask policies that keep people safe and healthy.
That's going to be perfect if we have another public health emergency as if that's totally out of the realm of possibility!
That's going to be perfect if we have another public health emergency as if that's totally out of the realm of possibility!
ICYMI: The Transportation Dept has directed its programs to prioritize giving federal $$$ to places with higher-than-average marriage and birth rates.
All DOT and DOT-backed grants, loans + contracts, including existing agreements.
Totally normal stuff! www.huffpost.com/entry/dot-me...
All DOT and DOT-backed grants, loans + contracts, including existing agreements.
Totally normal stuff! www.huffpost.com/entry/dot-me...
A New Government Memo Feels Like It’s Straight Out Of 'The Handmaid’s Tale'
The memo also said recipients of federal transportation dollars must cooperate with immigration enforcement, a hit to so-called sanctuary cities.
www.huffpost.com
January 31, 2025 at 6:25 PM
On top of this weirdness, buried here is a provision prohibiting communities from implementing vaccine or mask policies that keep people safe and healthy.
That's going to be perfect if we have another public health emergency as if that's totally out of the realm of possibility!
That's going to be perfect if we have another public health emergency as if that's totally out of the realm of possibility!
A powerful commentary on the role of the medical, science, and public health community in these dark times. Incredibly, proud to call the author a collaborator in the hard work ahead. Great work, Steve!
Just published this morning in JAMA, on how medicine and public health should respond to the new administration. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
How Should Health Care and Public Health Respond to the New US Administration?
This Viewpoint discusses scientific, medical, and public health actions, including withdrawing from the World Health Organization, taken so far during the first week of the Trump administration.
jamanetwork.com
January 31, 2025 at 6:09 PM
A powerful commentary on the role of the medical, science, and public health community in these dark times. Incredibly, proud to call the author a collaborator in the hard work ahead. Great work, Steve!
Unsurprising as they said they would do this in Project 2025. Breathing clean air and drinking clean water should be the most basic things we can agree on and this administration won't even commit to that. Corporate greed is more important that public health.
January 30, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Unsurprising as they said they would do this in Project 2025. Breathing clean air and drinking clean water should be the most basic things we can agree on and this administration won't even commit to that. Corporate greed is more important that public health.
Nice closing from Cassidy but he left too open a door for RFK Jr. to feign a shift on the viewpoints we already know he's committed to.
January 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Nice closing from Cassidy but he left too open a door for RFK Jr. to feign a shift on the viewpoints we already know he's committed to.
RFK Jr.:"I'll comply with the laws."
*Prospective boss that he pledges to serve at the pleasure of proceeds to NOT comply with the laws*
*Prospective boss that he pledges to serve at the pleasure of proceeds to NOT comply with the laws*
January 30, 2025 at 5:50 PM
RFK Jr.:"I'll comply with the laws."
*Prospective boss that he pledges to serve at the pleasure of proceeds to NOT comply with the laws*
*Prospective boss that he pledges to serve at the pleasure of proceeds to NOT comply with the laws*
This is unfair to the families affected and a very unserious response to a tragic event.
COLLINS: We don't even yet know the names of the people killed and you're blaming Dems and DEI policies. Don't you think you're getting ahead of the investigation?
TRUMP: No, I don't think so
C: Does it comfort their families to hearing you blaming DEI?
R: That's not a very smart question
TRUMP: No, I don't think so
C: Does it comfort their families to hearing you blaming DEI?
R: That's not a very smart question
January 30, 2025 at 5:47 PM
This is unfair to the families affected and a very unserious response to a tragic event.
Reposted by Marquisha Johns
RFK Jr is asked: 'how will you decide which scientists are good, and which scientists are bad?" Says: the ones that are corrupt. Interesting. I wonder whether profiting off conspiracy theories (say, by making money from litigation against a vaccine you want to limit access to) constitutes corrupt?
January 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
RFK Jr is asked: 'how will you decide which scientists are good, and which scientists are bad?" Says: the ones that are corrupt. Interesting. I wonder whether profiting off conspiracy theories (say, by making money from litigation against a vaccine you want to limit access to) constitutes corrupt?
Not only does he not understand Medicare (see my previous post). He doesn't understand Medicaid. This program covers almost 80 million people, including children.
RFK Jr. completely fumbled basic Medicaid facts in his confirmation hearing. He claimed:
❌ Medicaid has premiums (it doesn’t).
❌ It’s fully federally funded (it’s not).
❌ 30M babies are born on Medicaid (8x the total U.S. births!).
This man is not fit for HHS. #StopRFK
❌ Medicaid has premiums (it doesn’t).
❌ It’s fully federally funded (it’s not).
❌ 30M babies are born on Medicaid (8x the total U.S. births!).
This man is not fit for HHS. #StopRFK
January 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Not only does he not understand Medicare (see my previous post). He doesn't understand Medicaid. This program covers almost 80 million people, including children.
This program covers 66 million people and the person we're interviewing to lead it doesn't even know the basic components of the program. We're gambling with real people's lives.
There are only four parts of Medicare. How can a HHS secretary nominee make the case to run Medicare when they can't identify the basic four parts?
January 30, 2025 at 4:37 PM
This program covers 66 million people and the person we're interviewing to lead it doesn't even know the basic components of the program. We're gambling with real people's lives.
Wow, powerful words from Hassan: Questioning settled science prevents us from moving forward and making critical progress that helps families, freezing us in place.
This is so dangerous not just for health but also for those so worried about us being able to compete with other countries.
This is so dangerous not just for health but also for those so worried about us being able to compete with other countries.
January 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Wow, powerful words from Hassan: Questioning settled science prevents us from moving forward and making critical progress that helps families, freezing us in place.
This is so dangerous not just for health but also for those so worried about us being able to compete with other countries.
This is so dangerous not just for health but also for those so worried about us being able to compete with other countries.
Reminder: he makes money from spreading his anti-science views on vaccines.
January 30, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reminder: he makes money from spreading his anti-science views on vaccines.
Senator Murphy now with a great point. RFK Jr. isn't doing any "questioning", he's already made up his mind and there is no reason to believe he'll suddenly change his mind after confirmation.
How can you "question" when you don't know what you're questioning? This is basic research.
This is just infuriating back and forth. RFK Jr. is "just questioning science" but he's also not aware of any of the scientific studies. So what exactly is he doing by questioning the science other than just grifting?
January 30, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Senator Murphy now with a great point. RFK Jr. isn't doing any "questioning", he's already made up his mind and there is no reason to believe he'll suddenly change his mind after confirmation.
How can you "question" when you don't know what you're questioning? This is basic research.
This is just infuriating back and forth. RFK Jr. is "just questioning science" but he's also not aware of any of the scientific studies. So what exactly is he doing by questioning the science other than just grifting?
January 30, 2025 at 4:12 PM
How can you "question" when you don't know what you're questioning? This is basic research.
This is the question! HOW are they broken? He has no specifics for us, just sweeping summary statements. The lack of specifics should give you pause.
RFK Jr says he is aware of the nation's vaccine monitoring systems but believes every single one of them are "broken." Won't say why. Does say he wants to "get the people off the panels."
January 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
This is the question! HOW are they broken? He has no specifics for us, just sweeping summary statements. The lack of specifics should give you pause.
Not to mention there is a whole institute within NIH focused on diabetes 🫠
RFK Jr says there has never been an HHS Secretary focused on chronic disease. Nobody has ever cared about diabetes. Meanwhile, from the HHS Secretary 21 years ago:
aspe.hhs.gov/reports/diab...
aspe.hhs.gov/reports/diab...
Diabetes: A National Plan for Action
Currently, more than 18 million Americans have diabetes and are at risk for related complications like heart disease, stroke, blindness, amputations, and kidney disease. This document provides up-to-d...
aspe.hhs.gov
January 30, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Not to mention there is a whole institute within NIH focused on diabetes 🫠
Reposted by Marquisha Johns
Rand Paul now claims no healthy child has died of COVID. This is false. COVID-NET data indicated that about 1 in 3 children who died of COVID had no relevant comorbidities.
It is also disgustingly ableist to suggest that the deaths of those children is acceptable because they had comorbidities.
It is also disgustingly ableist to suggest that the deaths of those children is acceptable because they had comorbidities.
January 30, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Rand Paul now claims no healthy child has died of COVID. This is false. COVID-NET data indicated that about 1 in 3 children who died of COVID had no relevant comorbidities.
It is also disgustingly ableist to suggest that the deaths of those children is acceptable because they had comorbidities.
It is also disgustingly ableist to suggest that the deaths of those children is acceptable because they had comorbidities.
Reposted by Marquisha Johns
RFK Jr just said he doesn't know if the COVID-19 vaccine was a success. How can he say with a straight face that he will follow evidence? www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2022/tw...
Two Years of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccines Have Prevented Millions of Hospitalizations and Deaths
Evidence supports the debate over whether or not vaccines help COVID management and transmission. Discover what ways COVID vaccines have helped.
www.commonwealthfund.org
January 30, 2025 at 3:37 PM
RFK Jr just said he doesn't know if the COVID-19 vaccine was a success. How can he say with a straight face that he will follow evidence? www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2022/tw...