Delthia Ricks
@dricks.bsky.social
Science writer, author, essayist & avid gardener.
Pinned
Delthia Ricks
@dricks.bsky.social
· Dec 21
The contrast between Rwanda’s handling of Marburg and the chaotic response to Covid-19 is stark
The country’s response prevented a crisis – and provided the world with a valuable blueprint for effective outbreak control
www.telegraph.co.uk
The stark contrast between Rwanda’s handling of a deadly Marburg virus outbreak this year & the rest of the world’s chaotic response to #Covid provides textbook lessons in how to properly respond to a threat and how to make a threat worse www.telegraph.co.uk/global-healt...
The US may be in for yet another rough flu season. Influenza strain H3N2 has mutated into a new subclade & is associated w/ an earlier-than-usual start to flu season. H3N2 picked up ~7 new mutations in its hemagglutinin protein enabling it to attach to more readily to receptors on human cells👇
What to Know About the H3N2 Flu Strain That Has Experts Concerned
The U.S. may be in for yet another rough flu season
www.medpagetoday.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:06 PM
The US may be in for yet another rough flu season. Influenza strain H3N2 has mutated into a new subclade & is associated w/ an earlier-than-usual start to flu season. H3N2 picked up ~7 new mutations in its hemagglutinin protein enabling it to attach to more readily to receptors on human cells👇
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 27, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Happy Thanksgiving!
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
MAHA is expanding its reach but many experts in authoritarianism are hearing echoes of the eugenics movement, the discredited pseudoscience that supports racial superiority & quackery, not scientific facts. Make America Healthy Again pushes vulnerable people aside & cuts off lifelines to healthcare👇
As MAHA Expands Its Reach, Some Critics Hear Echoes of the Eugenics Movement
What does 'Make America Healthy Again' really stand for?
www.medpagetoday.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:45 PM
MAHA is expanding its reach but many experts in authoritarianism are hearing echoes of the eugenics movement, the discredited pseudoscience that supports racial superiority & quackery, not scientific facts. Make America Healthy Again pushes vulnerable people aside & cuts off lifelines to healthcare👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
A major ivermectin prescriber is now in CDC's 2ND HIGHEST position. Ralph Lee Abraham has a dicey public health track record & is the agency's new principal deputy director. Abraham was Louisiana's surgeon gen'l & made the news in February by declaring his state would end mass vaccination campaigns👇
Opinion | Top Ivermectin Prescriber Now in CDC's Second Highest Position
Ralph Lee Abraham, MD, has a questionable public health track record
www.medpagetoday.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
A major ivermectin prescriber is now in CDC's 2ND HIGHEST position. Ralph Lee Abraham has a dicey public health track record & is the agency's new principal deputy director. Abraham was Louisiana's surgeon gen'l & made the news in February by declaring his state would end mass vaccination campaigns👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
So. Carolina’s measles outbreak is revealing the chilling effect of vaccine misinformation. The fight against a growing outbreak has been underway since October. With >50 cases identified, health officials are encouraging people to get a shot. But on a recent afternoon, only 1 person showed up👇
South Carolina’s Measles Outbreak Shows Chilling Effect of Vaccine Misinformation - KFF Health News
When a measles outbreak emerged in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in October, health officials announced that most cases were tied to one public charter school, where only 17% of the 605 students enroll...
kffhealthnews.org
November 26, 2025 at 1:07 PM
So. Carolina’s measles outbreak is revealing the chilling effect of vaccine misinformation. The fight against a growing outbreak has been underway since October. With >50 cases identified, health officials are encouraging people to get a shot. But on a recent afternoon, only 1 person showed up👇
MAHA is expanding its reach but many experts in authoritarianism are hearing echoes of the eugenics movement, the discredited pseudoscience that supports racial superiority & quackery, not scientific facts. Make America Healthy Again pushes vulnerable people aside & cuts off lifelines to healthcare👇
As MAHA Expands Its Reach, Some Critics Hear Echoes of the Eugenics Movement
What does 'Make America Healthy Again' really stand for?
www.medpagetoday.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:45 PM
MAHA is expanding its reach but many experts in authoritarianism are hearing echoes of the eugenics movement, the discredited pseudoscience that supports racial superiority & quackery, not scientific facts. Make America Healthy Again pushes vulnerable people aside & cuts off lifelines to healthcare👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
It’s Wednesday and that means it’s time for Defend Public Health’s Whopper of the Week!
This week @brucemirken.mas.to.ap.brid.gy @benecal.bsky.social and @aetiology.bsky.social take on RFK Jr.’s AIDS Denialism. It’s a great read.
This week @brucemirken.mas.to.ap.brid.gy @benecal.bsky.social and @aetiology.bsky.social take on RFK Jr.’s AIDS Denialism. It’s a great read.
Whopper of the Week: RFK Jr. Has Plainly Stated His Belief in the Falsehoods of AIDS Denialism | Defend Public Health
In June 2023, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told New York Magazine, "There are much better candidates than HIV for what causes AIDS." This is blatantly false, contradicted by mountains of data and real-world ...
www.defendpublichealth.org
November 26, 2025 at 7:06 PM
It’s Wednesday and that means it’s time for Defend Public Health’s Whopper of the Week!
This week @brucemirken.mas.to.ap.brid.gy @benecal.bsky.social and @aetiology.bsky.social take on RFK Jr.’s AIDS Denialism. It’s a great read.
This week @brucemirken.mas.to.ap.brid.gy @benecal.bsky.social and @aetiology.bsky.social take on RFK Jr.’s AIDS Denialism. It’s a great read.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Exploring diversity and functional contribution of the #microbiome of traditional Italian dry-cured hams
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #OpenAccess #microbiota #food #MicroSky
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #OpenAccess #microbiota #food #MicroSky
November 26, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Exploring diversity and functional contribution of the #microbiome of traditional Italian dry-cured hams
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #OpenAccess #microbiota #food #MicroSky
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #OpenAccess #microbiota #food #MicroSky
So. Carolina’s measles outbreak is revealing the chilling effect of vaccine misinformation. The fight against a growing outbreak has been underway since October. With >50 cases identified, health officials are encouraging people to get a shot. But on a recent afternoon, only 1 person showed up👇
South Carolina’s Measles Outbreak Shows Chilling Effect of Vaccine Misinformation - KFF Health News
When a measles outbreak emerged in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in October, health officials announced that most cases were tied to one public charter school, where only 17% of the 605 students enroll...
kffhealthnews.org
November 26, 2025 at 1:07 PM
So. Carolina’s measles outbreak is revealing the chilling effect of vaccine misinformation. The fight against a growing outbreak has been underway since October. With >50 cases identified, health officials are encouraging people to get a shot. But on a recent afternoon, only 1 person showed up👇
A major ivermectin prescriber is now in CDC's 2ND HIGHEST position. Ralph Lee Abraham has a dicey public health track record & is the agency's new principal deputy director. Abraham was Louisiana's surgeon gen'l & made the news in February by declaring his state would end mass vaccination campaigns👇
Opinion | Top Ivermectin Prescriber Now in CDC's Second Highest Position
Ralph Lee Abraham, MD, has a questionable public health track record
www.medpagetoday.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
A major ivermectin prescriber is now in CDC's 2ND HIGHEST position. Ralph Lee Abraham has a dicey public health track record & is the agency's new principal deputy director. Abraham was Louisiana's surgeon gen'l & made the news in February by declaring his state would end mass vaccination campaigns👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
NIH shake-up to grant decision-making draws concerns of political meddling | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪
NIH shake-up to grant decision-making draws concerns of political meddling
Policy drops “paylines” based on peer-review scores and requires geography and other factors to guide approvals
www.science.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:10 PM
NIH shake-up to grant decision-making draws concerns of political meddling | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Breaking News: The CDC quietly appointed Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, who has been critical of vaccines, as its second in command. During the Covid pandemic, he promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
C.D.C. Quietly Appoints Doctor Critical of Vaccines as Second in Command
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
trib.al
November 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Breaking News: The CDC quietly appointed Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, who has been critical of vaccines, as its second in command. During the Covid pandemic, he promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
🧪 Dr. Carl Dieffenbach, the highly respected Division of AIDS Director, was transferred to a position w/ significantly less oversight of #NIH. Many advances in HIV treatments happened under his watch.
We are watching MAGA deemphasize the gravity of AIDS & discredit impactful HIV research.
We are watching MAGA deemphasize the gravity of AIDS & discredit impactful HIV research.
1/ ⚠️ Breaking: At CDC, we've been told the US Government will not officially commemorate World AIDS Day this year. No explanation given.
November 25, 2025 at 10:04 PM
🧪 Dr. Carl Dieffenbach, the highly respected Division of AIDS Director, was transferred to a position w/ significantly less oversight of #NIH. Many advances in HIV treatments happened under his watch.
We are watching MAGA deemphasize the gravity of AIDS & discredit impactful HIV research.
We are watching MAGA deemphasize the gravity of AIDS & discredit impactful HIV research.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Looks like Idaho said to hell with measures that protect the public from the spread of many infectious diseases.
The law removes authority that supports basic infection control, including a sweeping ban on medical interventions (treatment, medications, vaccines etc) & ambiguous exemptions for PPE.
The law removes authority that supports basic infection control, including a sweeping ban on medical interventions (treatment, medications, vaccines etc) & ambiguous exemptions for PPE.
Idaho’s Medical Freedom Act disarms public health
The law's broad language threatens the state’s ability to prevent illness and death from infectious diseases, and, if replicated elsewhere, it could unravel decades of progress in public health.
www.healthbeat.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Looks like Idaho said to hell with measures that protect the public from the spread of many infectious diseases.
The law removes authority that supports basic infection control, including a sweeping ban on medical interventions (treatment, medications, vaccines etc) & ambiguous exemptions for PPE.
The law removes authority that supports basic infection control, including a sweeping ban on medical interventions (treatment, medications, vaccines etc) & ambiguous exemptions for PPE.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Another Boar's Head recall. This time it's pecorino romano cheese products being recalled due to a possible risk of Listeria monocytogenes, according to a notice posted by the FDA. A massive 7-million pound recall of Boar's deli meats made headlines in July 2024 & was also linked to Listeria👇
2 Popular Boar's Head Deli Products Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination
Boar's Head has recalled two of its Pecorino Romano deli cheese products due to the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Read on for more details on the recall.
www.allrecipes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Another Boar's Head recall. This time it's pecorino romano cheese products being recalled due to a possible risk of Listeria monocytogenes, according to a notice posted by the FDA. A massive 7-million pound recall of Boar's deli meats made headlines in July 2024 & was also linked to Listeria👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
The Republican brain doesn't want to understand health care👇
"(...) medicine is a complex and technical subject, beyond the grasp of anyone without medical training. So the idea that medical care should be treated like a commercial product to be consumed by medically sophisticated customers is not only silly – it’s dangerous."
The Republican Brain Doesn’t Want To Understand Health Care
For 15 years we have heard the same lies and misrepresentations
paulkrugman.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The Republican brain doesn't want to understand health care👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Waning immunity and falling vaccination rates are fueling whooping cough—perussis—outbreaks across the country. In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6600 cases—4 times the rate of last year's pace. Infants, the most vulnerable group, have died as a result of exposure👇
Waning Immunity and Falling Vaccination Rates Fuel Pertussis Outbreaks
In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6,600 cases -- four times last year's pace
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Waning immunity and falling vaccination rates are fueling whooping cough—perussis—outbreaks across the country. In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6600 cases—4 times the rate of last year's pace. Infants, the most vulnerable group, have died as a result of exposure👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
John F. Kennedy's granddaughter reports that she has terminal cancer. Tatiana Sclossberg, 34, a former NY Times reporter, is the daughter of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. Tatiana has 2 children & discussed her leukemia diagnosis in a New Yorker essay in which she sharply criticizes cousin RFKjr👇
JFK's Granddaughter Reveals Terminal Cancer Diagnosis, Criticizes Cousin RFK Jr.
Tatiana Schlossberg discloses that she has acute myeloid leukemia with a rare mutation
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:03 AM
John F. Kennedy's granddaughter reports that she has terminal cancer. Tatiana Sclossberg, 34, a former NY Times reporter, is the daughter of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. Tatiana has 2 children & discussed her leukemia diagnosis in a New Yorker essay in which she sharply criticizes cousin RFKjr👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Trump's Education Dept wants to 'declassify' nursing as a professional field. In its proposal, the department is changing definitions of professional degree programs & excludes nursing altogether. Changing the definition blocks nursing students from federal loans & loan forgiveness programs👇
Opinion | Declassifying Nursing As 'Professional' Is a Grave Mistake
The DoE's updated definition is dangerous for clinicians and patients alike
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Trump's Education Dept wants to 'declassify' nursing as a professional field. In its proposal, the department is changing definitions of professional degree programs & excludes nursing altogether. Changing the definition blocks nursing students from federal loans & loan forgiveness programs👇
Waning immunity and falling vaccination rates are fueling whooping cough—perussis—outbreaks across the country. In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6600 cases—4 times the rate of last year's pace. Infants, the most vulnerable group, have died as a result of exposure👇
Waning Immunity and Falling Vaccination Rates Fuel Pertussis Outbreaks
In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6,600 cases -- four times last year's pace
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Waning immunity and falling vaccination rates are fueling whooping cough—perussis—outbreaks across the country. In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6600 cases—4 times the rate of last year's pace. Infants, the most vulnerable group, have died as a result of exposure👇
The Republican brain doesn't want to understand health care👇
"(...) medicine is a complex and technical subject, beyond the grasp of anyone without medical training. So the idea that medical care should be treated like a commercial product to be consumed by medically sophisticated customers is not only silly – it’s dangerous."
The Republican Brain Doesn’t Want To Understand Health Care
For 15 years we have heard the same lies and misrepresentations
paulkrugman.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The Republican brain doesn't want to understand health care👇
Another Boar's Head recall. This time it's pecorino romano cheese products being recalled due to a possible risk of Listeria monocytogenes, according to a notice posted by the FDA. A massive 7-million pound recall of Boar's deli meats made headlines in July 2024 & was also linked to Listeria👇
2 Popular Boar's Head Deli Products Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination
Boar's Head has recalled two of its Pecorino Romano deli cheese products due to the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Read on for more details on the recall.
www.allrecipes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Another Boar's Head recall. This time it's pecorino romano cheese products being recalled due to a possible risk of Listeria monocytogenes, according to a notice posted by the FDA. A massive 7-million pound recall of Boar's deli meats made headlines in July 2024 & was also linked to Listeria👇
John F. Kennedy's granddaughter reports that she has terminal cancer. Tatiana Sclossberg, 34, a former NY Times reporter, is the daughter of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. Tatiana has 2 children & discussed her leukemia diagnosis in a New Yorker essay in which she sharply criticizes cousin RFKjr👇
JFK's Granddaughter Reveals Terminal Cancer Diagnosis, Criticizes Cousin RFK Jr.
Tatiana Schlossberg discloses that she has acute myeloid leukemia with a rare mutation
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:03 AM
John F. Kennedy's granddaughter reports that she has terminal cancer. Tatiana Sclossberg, 34, a former NY Times reporter, is the daughter of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. Tatiana has 2 children & discussed her leukemia diagnosis in a New Yorker essay in which she sharply criticizes cousin RFKjr👇
Trump's Education Dept wants to 'declassify' nursing as a professional field. In its proposal, the department is changing definitions of professional degree programs & excludes nursing altogether. Changing the definition blocks nursing students from federal loans & loan forgiveness programs👇
Opinion | Declassifying Nursing As 'Professional' Is a Grave Mistake
The DoE's updated definition is dangerous for clinicians and patients alike
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Trump's Education Dept wants to 'declassify' nursing as a professional field. In its proposal, the department is changing definitions of professional degree programs & excludes nursing altogether. Changing the definition blocks nursing students from federal loans & loan forgiveness programs👇