Saskia Popescu
@saskiapopescu.bsky.social
Infectious disease epidemiologist & global heath security strategist | GHSN CEO |UMB Asst Prof working in pandemic prep, biosurveillance, One Health, AMR, BW & biosecurity. ELBI & CFR ☣️
Biopreparedness & biothreat guru - movie aficionado. Views=my own
Biopreparedness & biothreat guru - movie aficionado. Views=my own
Pinned
Saskia Popescu
@saskiapopescu.bsky.social
· Nov 28
Hello lovely folks! I’m an infectious disease epi & infection preventionist who focuses on global health security. From healthcare biopreparedness to the film industry COVID response, & now back to biosecurity policy and academia, I’m your person for outbreaks, movies trivia, & pandemic prep. ☣️👋🏻
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
For years Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been pushing the notion that germ theory is overrated. Now other HHS officials are picking up that argument. Katherine J. Wu reports:
To Survive the Next Pandemic, Walk More, the NIH Says
The agency is picking up Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s argument that a healthy immune system can keep even pandemic germs at bay.
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM
For years Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been pushing the notion that germ theory is overrated. Now other HHS officials are picking up that argument. Katherine J. Wu reports:
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
“The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika — an emblem of fascism and white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews and the deaths of more than 400,000 U.S. troops who died fighting in World War II — as a hate symbol”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:50 PM
“The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika — an emblem of fascism and white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews and the deaths of more than 400,000 U.S. troops who died fighting in World War II — as a hate symbol”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
The number of whooping cough cases in Texas is the highest it’s been in 11 years www.texastribune.org/2025/11/11/t...
Whooping cough cases in Texas reach an 11-year high
The state has recorded more than 3,500 cases of whooping cough so far this year, 10 times the number in 2023.
www.texastribune.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The number of whooping cough cases in Texas is the highest it’s been in 11 years www.texastribune.org/2025/11/11/t...
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office - Instead of trying to depoliticize their field, a swell of scientists want to become politicians. Via @katherinejwu.com
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office
Instead of trying to depoliticize their field, a swell of scientists want to become politicians.
www.theatlantic.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:03 PM
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office - Instead of trying to depoliticize their field, a swell of scientists want to become politicians. Via @katherinejwu.com
FWIW, if you’re talking about AI hype bandwagons and your example is how the entertainment industry reacted to AI being used bc “people worried they wouldn’t get credit”, you legit don’t get the argument, core issues, strike, or agreements. Pick a better example or do your hw.
a man with a beard wearing a suit and tie
ALT: a man with a beard wearing a suit and tie
media.tenor.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:29 PM
FWIW, if you’re talking about AI hype bandwagons and your example is how the entertainment industry reacted to AI being used bc “people worried they wouldn’t get credit”, you legit don’t get the argument, core issues, strike, or agreements. Pick a better example or do your hw.
Hi All-
Just a heads up that we’re working on a tech issue related to the abstract submission page. Apologies and will be resolved shortly!
Just a heads up that we’re working on a tech issue related to the abstract submission page. Apologies and will be resolved shortly!
#GHS2026 Call for Abstracts 🌍
Theme 4: Pathogen Detection, Data Sharing & Information Hazards
🧬 Data Sharing & Equity
🔬 Biosurveillance & Capacity Building
💬 Info Hazards & Misinformation
If this fits your work, submit by 17 Nov 2025!
👉 www.ghsconf.com/call-for-abs...
#GlobalHealth #PublicHealth
Theme 4: Pathogen Detection, Data Sharing & Information Hazards
🧬 Data Sharing & Equity
🔬 Biosurveillance & Capacity Building
💬 Info Hazards & Misinformation
If this fits your work, submit by 17 Nov 2025!
👉 www.ghsconf.com/call-for-abs...
#GlobalHealth #PublicHealth
October 21, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Hi All-
Just a heads up that we’re working on a tech issue related to the abstract submission page. Apologies and will be resolved shortly!
Just a heads up that we’re working on a tech issue related to the abstract submission page. Apologies and will be resolved shortly!
Somewhat controversial take - I enjoyed TRON Ares. Mostly bc I went for the NIN soundtrack, awesome visual effects, & some decent action…and maybe points on AI ethics. It’s not Legacy, but it was fun to watch. You don’t go to a TRON movie (w/Leto) for the feels, but the fun experience.
a person is riding a red motorcycle with africanrabbit written on the bottom right
ALT: a person is riding a red motorcycle with africanrabbit written on the bottom right
media.tenor.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Somewhat controversial take - I enjoyed TRON Ares. Mostly bc I went for the NIN soundtrack, awesome visual effects, & some decent action…and maybe points on AI ethics. It’s not Legacy, but it was fun to watch. You don’t go to a TRON movie (w/Leto) for the feels, but the fun experience.
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
After mass firings—and un-firings—current and former CDC officials said they are feeling demoralized. Half a dozen current and former workers spoke with Tom Bartlett about the botched downsizing.
https://theatln.tc/yqulrLlU
https://theatln.tc/yqulrLlU
October 14, 2025 at 9:15 PM
After mass firings—and un-firings—current and former CDC officials said they are feeling demoralized. Half a dozen current and former workers spoke with Tom Bartlett about the botched downsizing.
https://theatln.tc/yqulrLlU
https://theatln.tc/yqulrLlU
Maldives becomes the first country to achieve ‘triple elimination’ of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B
hq_who_departmentofcommunications.cmail19.com/t/d-e-gwgjl-...
hq_who_departmentofcommunications.cmail19.com/t/d-e-gwgjl-...
October 13, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Maldives becomes the first country to achieve ‘triple elimination’ of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B
hq_who_departmentofcommunications.cmail19.com/t/d-e-gwgjl-...
hq_who_departmentofcommunications.cmail19.com/t/d-e-gwgjl-...
‘The damage is beyond repair’: The CDC is facing another round of deep staff cuts
‘The damage is beyond repair’: The CDC faces another round of deep staff cuts | CNN
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suffered another round of deep staff cuts late Friday, with disease detectives, outbreak forecasters, policy and data offices among those impacted, ac...
www.cnn.com
October 12, 2025 at 8:04 PM
‘The damage is beyond repair’: The CDC is facing another round of deep staff cuts
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.
October 11, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
More on the CDC tonight: @jeremyfaust.bsky.social , who is impeccably sourced there (physician, Harvard faculty) has details on the divisions hit by the apparently illegal RIFS. insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
BREAKING NEWS: CDC employees terminated in apparent Friday night massacre.
The Trump administration is using the shutdown to further weaken the our national public health infrastructure.
insidemedicine.substack.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:58 AM
More on the CDC tonight: @jeremyfaust.bsky.social , who is impeccably sourced there (physician, Harvard faculty) has details on the divisions hit by the apparently illegal RIFS. insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
Hearing about the gutting of CDC and ASPR. This is truly the utter destruction of US public health…and just so utterly short-sighted.
Honestly, screw this.
Honestly, screw this.
October 11, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Hearing about the gutting of CDC and ASPR. This is truly the utter destruction of US public health…and just so utterly short-sighted.
Honestly, screw this.
Honestly, screw this.
Grateful to have gotten my flu shot earlier this year (prior to Australia’s flu season), and just got my covid booster in time for the US respiratory virus season to pick up. The perks of bouncing between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres 😂
a woman is standing in a living room with the words `` let 's do it '' written on her face .
ALT: a woman is standing in a living room with the words `` let 's do it '' written on her face .
media.tenor.com
October 10, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Grateful to have gotten my flu shot earlier this year (prior to Australia’s flu season), and just got my covid booster in time for the US respiratory virus season to pick up. The perks of bouncing between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres 😂
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
HHS confirms to @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social that it will be impacted by the RIFS promised earlier today by Russel Vought
If you or your colleagues have been impacted, please reach out
www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/h...
If you or your colleagues have been impacted, please reach out
www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/h...
HHS employees to be fired as White House enacts mass terminations it blames on shutdown
Federal health employees are being fired as the White House makes good on a promise to terminate federal employees en masse because of the shutdown.
www.statnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
HHS confirms to @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social that it will be impacted by the RIFS promised earlier today by Russel Vought
If you or your colleagues have been impacted, please reach out
www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/h...
If you or your colleagues have been impacted, please reach out
www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/h...
Senate-passed BIOSECURE Act would add arrow to Trump’s drug-pricing quiver www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/s... via @statnews.com
Senate-passed BIOSECURE Act would add arrow to Trump’s drug-pricing quiver
The Senate has passed legislation that would restrict U.S. pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies from doing business with certain Chinese companies.
www.statnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Senate-passed BIOSECURE Act would add arrow to Trump’s drug-pricing quiver www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/s... via @statnews.com
Very important article and worth the read - Opinion | 6 U.S. surgeons general: RFK Jr. threatens the health of Americans - The Washington Post
Opinion | Six surgeons general: It’s our duty to warn the nation about RFK Jr.
We took an oath to declare dangers when we found them. We’re doing that again today.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Very important article and worth the read - Opinion | 6 U.S. surgeons general: RFK Jr. threatens the health of Americans - The Washington Post
The NIH ordered me to stop my ‘dangerous’ gain-of-function research. It isn’t dangerous at all www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/g... via @statnews.com
The NIH ordered me to stop my ‘dangerous’ gain-of-function research. It isn’t dangerous at all
Safe gain-of-function research is necessary to identify new treatments for diseases like for tuberculosis — but the NIH has imposed unfounded stops.
www.statnews.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The NIH ordered me to stop my ‘dangerous’ gain-of-function research. It isn’t dangerous at all www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/g... via @statnews.com
Made to order bioweapon? AI-designed toxins slip through safety checks used by companies selling genes | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Made to order bioweapon? AI-designed toxins slip through safety checks used by companies selling genes
Researchers expose flaws in safeguards intended to block rogue actors from making bioweapons
www.science.org
October 2, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Made to order bioweapon? AI-designed toxins slip through safety checks used by companies selling genes | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Two former top NIH officials say they were forced out in retaliation for objecting to grant terminations www.statnews.com/2025/09/04/n... via @statnews.com
Two former top NIH officials say they were forced out in retaliation for objecting to grant terminations
Whistleblower complaints by two former top NIH officials offer their inside accounts of the Trump administration’s targeting of vaccine science.
www.statnews.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Two former top NIH officials say they were forced out in retaliation for objecting to grant terminations www.statnews.com/2025/09/04/n... via @statnews.com
Ffs - US measles cases top 1,500 as outbreaks grow in Utah and Arizona
US measles cases surpass 1,500 as outbreaks grow in parts of Utah and Arizona
A total of 1,514 measles cases have been confirmed in the United States as of Sept. 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.usatoday.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Ffs - US measles cases top 1,500 as outbreaks grow in Utah and Arizona
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
And remember, the reason he wanted separate vaccines wasn't due to any science, but because *he'd filed a patent application for a single measles vaccine*. It was just grifting.
September 24, 2025 at 2:45 PM
And remember, the reason he wanted separate vaccines wasn't due to any science, but because *he'd filed a patent application for a single measles vaccine*. It was just grifting.
This whole thread:
CDC’s ACIP members spent their second session COVID vaccines, ending today with four votes on new recommendations.
ACIP didn’t publicly post the text for the recs prior to the vote, and some members hadn’t read the text.
Folks should take note of what happened with votes 1, 3, and 4...
ACIP didn’t publicly post the text for the recs prior to the vote, and some members hadn’t read the text.
Folks should take note of what happened with votes 1, 3, and 4...
September 20, 2025 at 2:01 AM
This whole thread:
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is stepping up his attack on vaccines in America. One group will bear the brunt of the changes more than others, writes Nicholas Florko:
The Kids Hit Hardest by RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vax Crusade
America is on the cusp of a two-tiered vaccine system.
bit.ly
September 19, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is stepping up his attack on vaccines in America. One group will bear the brunt of the changes more than others, writes Nicholas Florko: