Miriam
@miriam-w.bsky.social
Always learning, often reading
(mostly public health (MPH))
(mostly public health (MPH))
Reposted by Miriam
In a letter, Kennedy said RFK Jr. was "unqualified" to be the new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary just hours before he was scheduled to appear for confirmation hearings.
Caroline Kennedy calls her cousin, RFK, Jr., a "predator" ahead of his confirmation hearings
In a letter, Kennedy said RFK Jr. was "unqualified" to be the new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary just hours before he was scheduled to appear for confirmation hearings.
www.npr.org
January 28, 2025 at 11:26 PM
In a letter, Kennedy said RFK Jr. was "unqualified" to be the new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary just hours before he was scheduled to appear for confirmation hearings.
Reposted by Miriam
Please repost! We’re trying hard to sort out rumors from truth + would like to hear from anyone affected by the new federal orders + NIH pause. Patients, scientists, health equity researchers: please contact us below. We won’t share anything without your permission. www.statnews.com/2025/01/25/t...
Are you affected by the Trump administration’s pause on health communications, science meetings, and reviews?
Have you been affected by the Trump administration’s pause on communications, science meetings, and reviews? @statnews would like to hear from you.
www.statnews.com
January 26, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Please repost! We’re trying hard to sort out rumors from truth + would like to hear from anyone affected by the new federal orders + NIH pause. Patients, scientists, health equity researchers: please contact us below. We won’t share anything without your permission. www.statnews.com/2025/01/25/t...
Reposted by Miriam
🚨 The indefinite pause on NIH study sections & CDC public communication updates is devastating for science, public health, and our future. These decisions will have long-term consequences for research, disease prevention, and lives if they are prolonged.
A 🧵
A 🧵
January 23, 2025 at 7:32 PM
🚨 The indefinite pause on NIH study sections & CDC public communication updates is devastating for science, public health, and our future. These decisions will have long-term consequences for research, disease prevention, and lives if they are prolonged.
A 🧵
A 🧵
Reposted by Miriam
Here we go! The Senate hearing for RFK's nomination as head of HHS now has an official date: Wednesday, January 29
January 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Here we go! The Senate hearing for RFK's nomination as head of HHS now has an official date: Wednesday, January 29
Reposted by Miriam
Trump administration’s abrupt cancellation of scientific meetings prompts confusion, concern www.statnews.com/2025/01/22/t... via @statnews.com
Trump administration’s abrupt cancellation of scientific meetings prompts confusion, concern
A flurry of scientific gatherings and panels across federal science agencies were canceled on Wednesday, at a time of heightened sensitivity about how the
www.statnews.com
January 23, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Trump administration’s abrupt cancellation of scientific meetings prompts confusion, concern www.statnews.com/2025/01/22/t... via @statnews.com
Reposted by Miriam
CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) has provided real-time data and analysis about disease outbreaks and emerging health threats without a break every week since 1960.
Until today.
Until today.
January 23, 2025 at 6:38 PM
CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) has provided real-time data and analysis about disease outbreaks and emerging health threats without a break every week since 1960.
Until today.
Until today.
Reposted by Miriam
This. The institutional knowledge of a single post-doc or 6th year grad student is truly astonishing. Let alone the PIs! Or the techs who've been there 20 years!
These are not tweedy ivory tower eggheads that the media paints them. They are PEOPLE. People living, often, on pretty subpar salaries.
These are not tweedy ivory tower eggheads that the media paints them. They are PEOPLE. People living, often, on pretty subpar salaries.
I'm not sure if people realize how quickly the Trumpzis can do enormous damage to US science, from basic research to translation. Really fast. REALLY fast. Labs with decades of irreplaceable domain and technique knowledge can break apart with a surprisingly short funding gap. When they're gone...1/
January 23, 2025 at 10:19 PM
This. The institutional knowledge of a single post-doc or 6th year grad student is truly astonishing. Let alone the PIs! Or the techs who've been there 20 years!
These are not tweedy ivory tower eggheads that the media paints them. They are PEOPLE. People living, often, on pretty subpar salaries.
These are not tweedy ivory tower eggheads that the media paints them. They are PEOPLE. People living, often, on pretty subpar salaries.
I can't read the full article, but I'll be keeping my eyes open to see if we get an MMWR release this week! 😕 here's hoping we don't end up with messed up public health communication/coordination bc of this 😬
New: Trump officials have paused all external communications at health agencies like CDC, FDA, NIH.
No health alerts and the famed MMWRs; no updates to key websites or social media posts.
And no indication how long the pause will last.
With @rachelroubein.bsky.social + Lena Sun.
No health alerts and the famed MMWRs; no updates to key websites or social media posts.
And no indication how long the pause will last.
With @rachelroubein.bsky.social + Lena Sun.
Trump officials pause health agencies’ communications, citing review
The agencies are charged with making decisions that touch the lives of every American and are the source of crucial information to health-care providers.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 22, 2025 at 1:28 AM
I can't read the full article, but I'll be keeping my eyes open to see if we get an MMWR release this week! 😕 here's hoping we don't end up with messed up public health communication/coordination bc of this 😬
Reposted by Miriam
Things you may wish to do while you still can:
1. Buy plan B. If you don't need it, you may know someone who may need it. Also, you don't have to be a woman to buy plan B, men can.
2. If you need longterm contraception, now may be the time to get that IUD placed.
Pass it on.
1. Buy plan B. If you don't need it, you may know someone who may need it. Also, you don't have to be a woman to buy plan B, men can.
2. If you need longterm contraception, now may be the time to get that IUD placed.
Pass it on.
January 22, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Things you may wish to do while you still can:
1. Buy plan B. If you don't need it, you may know someone who may need it. Also, you don't have to be a woman to buy plan B, men can.
2. If you need longterm contraception, now may be the time to get that IUD placed.
Pass it on.
1. Buy plan B. If you don't need it, you may know someone who may need it. Also, you don't have to be a woman to buy plan B, men can.
2. If you need longterm contraception, now may be the time to get that IUD placed.
Pass it on.
Reposted by Miriam
Just posting this picture of an iron lung at University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, for no particular reason.
Jonas Salk was pretty dope.
#VaccinesSaveLives
Jonas Salk was pretty dope.
#VaccinesSaveLives
January 19, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Just posting this picture of an iron lung at University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, for no particular reason.
Jonas Salk was pretty dope.
#VaccinesSaveLives
Jonas Salk was pretty dope.
#VaccinesSaveLives
Always a positive sign when the first book of the year is so good 📚💙 I really enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing
Anyone have recommendations like it? #booksky
Anyone have recommendations like it? #booksky
January 6, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Always a positive sign when the first book of the year is so good 📚💙 I really enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing
Anyone have recommendations like it? #booksky
Anyone have recommendations like it? #booksky
Reposted by Miriam
That this is even on the table right now, with the very real risk of a bird flu pandemic kicking off in the near future, is absolutely absurd - what are people thinking?!
The MT legislature passed the Montana Local Food Act in 2021, which allowed the unregulated sale of raw milk by local farmers. I'd be curious if the state government will require the standards McAfee suggests if appointed.
#mtpol #publichealth
www.latimes.com/environment/...
#mtpol #publichealth
www.latimes.com/environment/...
California raw milk producer says RFK Jr. has encouraged him to apply for FDA position
The California raw milk producer who has issued several product recalls for bird flu has has applied for an advisory role at the Food and Drug Administration.
www.latimes.com
December 11, 2024 at 7:29 PM
That this is even on the table right now, with the very real risk of a bird flu pandemic kicking off in the near future, is absolutely absurd - what are people thinking?!
Reposted by Miriam
I wrote about why so many people angry at the health insurance industry -- and whether they should be www.huffpost.com/entry/insura...
The Cold Social Media Reaction To The UnitedHealthcare CEO's Killing Was Not Hard To Predict
You don’t have to feel good about these reactions to a human tragedy to understand why anybody associated with the insurance industry would inspire such hostility.
www.huffpost.com
December 10, 2024 at 1:15 PM
I wrote about why so many people angry at the health insurance industry -- and whether they should be www.huffpost.com/entry/insura...
Reposted by Miriam
My story on this from @usa.streetsblog.org: usa.streetsblog.org/2024/12/10/e...
December 10, 2024 at 2:43 PM
My story on this from @usa.streetsblog.org: usa.streetsblog.org/2024/12/10/e...
Reposted by Miriam
75+ Nobel Prize winners have signed a letter urging senators not to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The letter marks the first time in recent memory that Nobel laureates have banded together against a Cabinet choice.
The letter marks the first time in recent memory that Nobel laureates have banded together against a Cabinet choice.
December 10, 2024 at 12:30 AM
75+ Nobel Prize winners have signed a letter urging senators not to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The letter marks the first time in recent memory that Nobel laureates have banded together against a Cabinet choice.
The letter marks the first time in recent memory that Nobel laureates have banded together against a Cabinet choice.
Reposted by Miriam
Whenever I see the American discussion of healthcare reform it's always the status quo vs the British or Canadian system. There are other systems in the world. Every other wealthy country has achieved universal coverage, often without a single-payer system. A hybrid model would make sense for us.
I know I’ve said this before, but we could have *multipayer* universal health care coverage tomorrow. Countries like Australia already have it. Medicare for all is the safety net and people can still buy private insurance if they want. It’s fucking criminal we don’t have that.
December 7, 2024 at 10:46 PM
Whenever I see the American discussion of healthcare reform it's always the status quo vs the British or Canadian system. There are other systems in the world. Every other wealthy country has achieved universal coverage, often without a single-payer system. A hybrid model would make sense for us.
Reposted by Miriam
Why is H5N1 concerning? 🔬 Small mutations, like Gln226Leu, improve the virus’s ability to infect humans. Its growing host range increases exposure risks. How close are we to sustained human transmission?
Source: www.science.org/doi/full/10....
3/
Source: www.science.org/doi/full/10....
3/
December 8, 2024 at 6:58 PM
Why is H5N1 concerning? 🔬 Small mutations, like Gln226Leu, improve the virus’s ability to infect humans. Its growing host range increases exposure risks. How close are we to sustained human transmission?
Source: www.science.org/doi/full/10....
3/
Source: www.science.org/doi/full/10....
3/
Reposted by Miriam
Even if next admin doesn't ban/undermine vaccines (& it might), this messaging alone--that maybe there's something unsafe about vaccines--is a huge problem.
It can embolden states to pass dangerous laws
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
And can cement hesitancy:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
It can embolden states to pass dangerous laws
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
And can cement hesitancy:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
RFK Jr.’s Junk Science Will Put Every American at Risk
His promotion of bizarre conspiracy theories could turn the government into an “accelerant for misinformation.”
www.bloomberg.com
December 8, 2024 at 4:29 PM
Even if next admin doesn't ban/undermine vaccines (& it might), this messaging alone--that maybe there's something unsafe about vaccines--is a huge problem.
It can embolden states to pass dangerous laws
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
And can cement hesitancy:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
It can embolden states to pass dangerous laws
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
And can cement hesitancy:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Fascinating thread
As a science writer, author, & former microbiologist, my varied interests sometimes converge in unexpected ways. I’d like to share a long & quirky but hopefully interesting thread (with cool supporting links) to show how a question about a very potent emotion has led me in multiple directions. 🧪1/22
a man wearing a grey shirt and a white hat has a beard
Alt: a man wearing a grey shirt and a white hat stands with his dog at the junction of two pathways ahead of him.
media.tenor.com
December 6, 2024 at 12:21 AM
Fascinating thread
Reposted by Miriam
Watch the earthquake waves from the M7.0 earthquake offshore Cape Mendocino, CA sweep across seismic stations in North America.
Sound on 🔊
Sound on 🔊
December 5, 2024 at 10:30 PM
Watch the earthquake waves from the M7.0 earthquake offshore Cape Mendocino, CA sweep across seismic stations in North America.
Sound on 🔊
Sound on 🔊
Reposted by Miriam
One of the best pieces I’ve seen on pandemic revisionism, Jay Bhattacharya, the Great Barrington Declaration & RFK Jr (who Bhattacharya campaigned for—he even spoke at his political rallies)
By @kkjetelina.bsky.social & @kmpanthagani.bsky.social
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/hhs-picks-...
By @kkjetelina.bsky.social & @kmpanthagani.bsky.social
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/hhs-picks-...
HHS picks, the House subcommittee report, and pandemic revisionism
Questions are important and needed, but we must not resort to rewriting history.
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com
December 4, 2024 at 9:13 PM
One of the best pieces I’ve seen on pandemic revisionism, Jay Bhattacharya, the Great Barrington Declaration & RFK Jr (who Bhattacharya campaigned for—he even spoke at his political rallies)
By @kkjetelina.bsky.social & @kmpanthagani.bsky.social
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/hhs-picks-...
By @kkjetelina.bsky.social & @kmpanthagani.bsky.social
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/hhs-picks-...
Only 15% into listening to American Dirt (Jeannine Cummings) and think it's already a contender for my top book of the year #booksky 📚💙
December 4, 2024 at 11:22 PM
Only 15% into listening to American Dirt (Jeannine Cummings) and think it's already a contender for my top book of the year #booksky 📚💙
Reposted by Miriam
Even where they don't look like science problems, many issues have scientific as well as social solutions (anything in the field of epidemiology is political...).So not super fun to discover that scientists think 80% of global policymakers have no science understanding
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
December 4, 2024 at 12:28 PM
Even where they don't look like science problems, many issues have scientific as well as social solutions (anything in the field of epidemiology is political...).So not super fun to discover that scientists think 80% of global policymakers have no science understanding
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Miriam
(cont'd) Imagine whatever it is you are knowledgeable on (car repair, computer programming, accounting, gardening) and repeatedly having mtgs w/ similar knowledgeable to discuss such technical things where you always have to waste time debating a novice attendee who keeps asserting they are right.
December 4, 2024 at 8:49 PM
(cont'd) Imagine whatever it is you are knowledgeable on (car repair, computer programming, accounting, gardening) and repeatedly having mtgs w/ similar knowledgeable to discuss such technical things where you always have to waste time debating a novice attendee who keeps asserting they are right.