Beth S Linas, PhD, MHS
@bethlinas.bsky.social
PhD/MHS Epidemiology: Infectious Diseases, Digital Health, Substance Use, Science Communication|Thoughts are my own| #Episky #IDsky
www.bethlinas.com
www.bethlinas.com
Pinned
Without Vaccines, Long COVID Will Be Our Next Public Health Crisis | Defend Public Health
Defend Public Health member Dr. Beth Linas shares an often overlooked aspect of reducing access to COVID19 vaccines: the specter of more and more cases of Long COVID.
www.defendpublichealth.org
My most recent op Ed! When thinking about #COVID vaccines we MUST discuss long COVID and until now this conversation has been lacking!
To anyone familiar with public health and medicine this is no surprise. Amongst other things, there has been little to no scientific evaluation for how Chatbots even make recommendations. These are NOT doctors!
Health Advice From A.I. Chatbots Is Frequently Wrong, Study Shows
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:36 PM
To anyone familiar with public health and medicine this is no surprise. Amongst other things, there has been little to no scientific evaluation for how Chatbots even make recommendations. These are NOT doctors!
Reposted by Beth S Linas, PhD, MHS
Flat out killing vaccine science in the US now
“Moderna, revealing the rejection, took the unusual step of releasing the letter it had received from Vinay Prasad… and issued a strongly worded statement from its CEO, who said the decision “does not further our shared goal of enhancing America’s leadership in developing innovative medicines.”
FDA refuses to review Moderna’s influenza vaccine
FDA refuses to review Moderna’s influenza vaccine, which could raise concerns about the agency’s posture toward vaccines and drug approvals more generally.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:10 AM
Flat out killing vaccine science in the US now
This is the leadership we need right now. Thank you AMA & @cidrap.bsky.social
“The AMA’s evaluation process will be conducted in collaboration with the Vaccine Integrity Project at the CIDRAP at the University of Minnesota. The review will focus on immunizations for flu, COVID-19 and RSV”
“The AMA’s evaluation process will be conducted in collaboration with the Vaccine Integrity Project at the CIDRAP at the University of Minnesota. The review will focus on immunizations for flu, COVID-19 and RSV”
thehill.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:31 PM
This is the leadership we need right now. Thank you AMA & @cidrap.bsky.social
“The AMA’s evaluation process will be conducted in collaboration with the Vaccine Integrity Project at the CIDRAP at the University of Minnesota. The review will focus on immunizations for flu, COVID-19 and RSV”
“The AMA’s evaluation process will be conducted in collaboration with the Vaccine Integrity Project at the CIDRAP at the University of Minnesota. The review will focus on immunizations for flu, COVID-19 and RSV”
Reposted by Beth S Linas, PhD, MHS
Vinay Prasad of the FDA has broken with the usual approval process and refuses to review Moderna’s new flu shot.
He claims that the proposed clinical trial, which would compare the new vaccine to an already approved one, “does not reflect the best-available standard of care”.
He claims that the proposed clinical trial, which would compare the new vaccine to an already approved one, “does not reflect the best-available standard of care”.
Moderna says FDA refuses to review its application for experimental flu shot
Moderna said the move is inconsistent with previous feedback from the FDA on the experimental influenza shot, called mRNA-1010.
www.cnbc.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Vinay Prasad of the FDA has broken with the usual approval process and refuses to review Moderna’s new flu shot.
He claims that the proposed clinical trial, which would compare the new vaccine to an already approved one, “does not reflect the best-available standard of care”.
He claims that the proposed clinical trial, which would compare the new vaccine to an already approved one, “does not reflect the best-available standard of care”.
“Moderna, revealing the rejection, took the unusual step of releasing the letter it had received from Vinay Prasad… and issued a strongly worded statement from its CEO, who said the decision “does not further our shared goal of enhancing America’s leadership in developing innovative medicines.”
FDA refuses to review Moderna’s influenza vaccine
FDA refuses to review Moderna’s influenza vaccine, which could raise concerns about the agency’s posture toward vaccines and drug approvals more generally.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:56 AM
“Moderna, revealing the rejection, took the unusual step of releasing the letter it had received from Vinay Prasad… and issued a strongly worded statement from its CEO, who said the decision “does not further our shared goal of enhancing America’s leadership in developing innovative medicines.”
Reposted by Beth S Linas, PhD, MHS
Reminder: It has been a very bad flu season. Undercutting flu vaccination is a perfect Trump Administration special combination of stupid and dangerous.
February 10, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Reminder: It has been a very bad flu season. Undercutting flu vaccination is a perfect Trump Administration special combination of stupid and dangerous.
Louder for the people in the back! RFK jr MUST GO NOW!
One year into RFK Jr.’s tenure, and the results are clear: our public health system is weaker, Americans are less safe and less healthy, and science has been pushed aside. He must be impeached.
February 10, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Louder for the people in the back! RFK jr MUST GO NOW!
Reposted by Beth S Linas, PhD, MHS
Freedom House Ambulance Service was the first community-based Emergency Medical Service in the US.
It was started by Black men in the Hill District of Pittsburgh (Hill Street Blues was based in part on the Hill District). At the time, EMS was a dash to the hospital in the back of a paddy wagon.
It was started by Black men in the Hill District of Pittsburgh (Hill Street Blues was based in part on the Hill District). At the time, EMS was a dash to the hospital in the back of a paddy wagon.
February 10, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Freedom House Ambulance Service was the first community-based Emergency Medical Service in the US.
It was started by Black men in the Hill District of Pittsburgh (Hill Street Blues was based in part on the Hill District). At the time, EMS was a dash to the hospital in the back of a paddy wagon.
It was started by Black men in the Hill District of Pittsburgh (Hill Street Blues was based in part on the Hill District). At the time, EMS was a dash to the hospital in the back of a paddy wagon.
Black history is inseparable from the history of public health in the U.S
Dr. David Satcher served as both CDC Director and U.S. Surgeon General, one of the few people to hold both roles.
He elevates mental health, racial health disparities, and prevention as national priorities, pushing public health beyond disease control to well-being and equity.
#BlackHistoryMonth
He elevates mental health, racial health disparities, and prevention as national priorities, pushing public health beyond disease control to well-being and equity.
#BlackHistoryMonth
February 10, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Black history is inseparable from the history of public health in the U.S
Reposted by Beth S Linas, PhD, MHS
Remember last week how Dr. Oz called AI the best solution for rural healthcare shortages?
Well, a new study finds that when patients turn to chatbots for health advice, they end up taking the wrong steps and getting the wrong diagnosis more than half the time.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/w...
Well, a new study finds that when patients turn to chatbots for health advice, they end up taking the wrong steps and getting the wrong diagnosis more than half the time.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/w...
Health Advice From A.I. Chatbots Is Frequently Wrong, Study Shows
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Remember last week how Dr. Oz called AI the best solution for rural healthcare shortages?
Well, a new study finds that when patients turn to chatbots for health advice, they end up taking the wrong steps and getting the wrong diagnosis more than half the time.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/w...
Well, a new study finds that when patients turn to chatbots for health advice, they end up taking the wrong steps and getting the wrong diagnosis more than half the time.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/w...
This is a 100% appropriate piece of guidance from the CMS administrator- wonder how long he’ll have a job
'Take the vaccine, please,' a top US health official says in an appeal as measles cases rise
A leading U.S. health official is urging people to get inoculated against the measles at a time of outbreaks across several states. The appeal is from Dr.
apnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:46 PM
This is a 100% appropriate piece of guidance from the CMS administrator- wonder how long he’ll have a job
Reposted by Beth S Linas, PhD, MHS
ICE has grabbed so many people from their vehicles that there are abandoned cars across Minnesota.
This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.
They hate the helpers.
Which is why must keep helping.
This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.
They hate the helpers.
Which is why must keep helping.
Twin Cities tow truck driver returns abandoned vehicles to families after ICE arrests
Juan Leon sends a "chase" car to check out where abandoned vehicles are located and arranges discreet drop-offs. Since late December, he estimated they have dropped off 250 cars.
www.cbsnews.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:30 AM
ICE has grabbed so many people from their vehicles that there are abandoned cars across Minnesota.
This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.
They hate the helpers.
Which is why must keep helping.
This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.
They hate the helpers.
Which is why must keep helping.
Reposted by Beth S Linas, PhD, MHS
RFK routinely tells the public doctors are corrupt liars.
Remember this the next time MAHA disinformation sycophants like Podcast Jay fake that they want to "restore trust."
Remember this the next time MAHA disinformation sycophants like Podcast Jay fake that they want to "restore trust."
February 7, 2026 at 2:20 PM
RFK routinely tells the public doctors are corrupt liars.
Remember this the next time MAHA disinformation sycophants like Podcast Jay fake that they want to "restore trust."
Remember this the next time MAHA disinformation sycophants like Podcast Jay fake that they want to "restore trust."
A very important piece from @holtgrave-health.bsky.social & Regina LaBelle “Such data limitations are like cracks in a car windshield, obscuring our ability to see the road ahead. This is acutely important now”
The cost of chaos: A cracking windshield on substance use in the US | Brookings
Current conditions create incremental cracks in the national substance use windshield, which must be repaired as quickly as possible.
www.brookings.edu
February 6, 2026 at 1:39 PM
A very important piece from @holtgrave-health.bsky.social & Regina LaBelle “Such data limitations are like cracks in a car windshield, obscuring our ability to see the road ahead. This is acutely important now”
I see we are making infectious diseases great again. 🤦♀️
Tuberculosis case confirmed at high school on Long Island
PATCHOGUE, Long Island (PIX11) — A member of the Patchogue-Medford High School community has tested positive for tuberculosis, school officials confirmed to PIX11 News. Officials say there is…
pix11.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:59 AM
I see we are making infectious diseases great again. 🤦♀️
“All eligible persons should receive 2 MMR vaccine doses. Travelers should ensure that their MMR vaccinations are current. Collecting urine specimens might enhance case finding, especially in vaccinated persons.” This is the appropriate guidance, I hope it’s heeded
Measles Outbreak ...
This report describes the public health response to a measles outbreak in Colorado among people exposed to an infectious traveler who arrived in Colorado in May 2025 on an international flight.
www.cdc.gov
February 6, 2026 at 1:17 AM
“All eligible persons should receive 2 MMR vaccine doses. Travelers should ensure that their MMR vaccinations are current. Collecting urine specimens might enhance case finding, especially in vaccinated persons.” This is the appropriate guidance, I hope it’s heeded
PAHO calls for vaccination campaigns. I’m gonna guess the US won’t join in and that’s a huge mistake
Regional health organization issues alert as measles cases surge across the Americas
The Pan American Health Organization has issued an alert due to a surge in measles cases across the Americas, with Mexico reporting the highest numbers.
apnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:23 PM
PAHO calls for vaccination campaigns. I’m gonna guess the US won’t join in and that’s a huge mistake
We didn’t need a report to know this.
Trump admin is "destroying medical research," Senate report finds
In a Senate hearing Tuesday, NIH director dismissed concern about research chaos.
arstechnica.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:18 PM
We didn’t need a report to know this.
Americans should view the panel “more as a safety committee,” Kirk Milhoan told POLITICO. “Efficacy will be secondary,” he said.
The committee’s pivot goes against decades of best practices.
The committee’s pivot goes against decades of best practices.
‘Efficacy will be secondary’: RFK Jr.'s vaccine advisers have a new mission
The new mandate, the chair of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s panel told POLITICO, is to pay more attention to harms caused by vaccines.
www.politico.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Americans should view the panel “more as a safety committee,” Kirk Milhoan told POLITICO. “Efficacy will be secondary,” he said.
The committee’s pivot goes against decades of best practices.
The committee’s pivot goes against decades of best practices.
Nothing good here
HHS Is Using AI Tools From Palantir to Target ‘DEI’ and ‘Gender Ideology’ in Grants
Since March of 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services has been using tools from Palantir and the startup Credal AI to weed out perceived alignment with “DEI” or “gender ideology.”
www.wired.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Nothing good here
Reposted by Beth S Linas, PhD, MHS
A reminder that unlike medications, dietary supplement safety is just a pinkie swear.
Check your moringa “superfood” capsules.
Check your moringa “superfood” capsules.
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Moringa Leaf Powder (January 202
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled dietary supplement products with moringa leaf powder. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
www.fda.gov
February 1, 2026 at 2:53 PM
A reminder that unlike medications, dietary supplement safety is just a pinkie swear.
Check your moringa “superfood” capsules.
Check your moringa “superfood” capsules.
Reposted by Beth S Linas, PhD, MHS
“This is so dangerous as to approach criminality” is my opinion about RFK Jr. appointee Kirk Milhoan’s statements.
Instead of seeing the measles outbreak as the preventable tragedy it is, he views it as an opportunity to see how many kids die.
Another great piece by @melodyschreiber.com.
Instead of seeing the measles outbreak as the preventable tragedy it is, he views it as an opportunity to see how many kids die.
Another great piece by @melodyschreiber.com.
US committee is reconsidering all vaccine recommendations
Move is dramatic departure for advisory group under Kirk Milhoan, who says he doesn’t like the term ‘established science’
www.theguardian.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:03 PM
“This is so dangerous as to approach criminality” is my opinion about RFK Jr. appointee Kirk Milhoan’s statements.
Instead of seeing the measles outbreak as the preventable tragedy it is, he views it as an opportunity to see how many kids die.
Another great piece by @melodyschreiber.com.
Instead of seeing the measles outbreak as the preventable tragedy it is, he views it as an opportunity to see how many kids die.
Another great piece by @melodyschreiber.com.
This piece is very frustrating because it reads like a positive change for dietary guidelines with the only quibble being that it was communicated wrong. Read what @defendpublichealth.bsky.social has to say about this- experts in this area. www.defendpublichealth.org/sites/defaul...
Let’s Be Honest About Public Health Guidance
How to think about two different sets of recommendations from RFK Jr.
thedispatch.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:35 PM
This piece is very frustrating because it reads like a positive change for dietary guidelines with the only quibble being that it was communicated wrong. Read what @defendpublichealth.bsky.social has to say about this- experts in this area. www.defendpublichealth.org/sites/defaul...
Looks like we are making infectious diseases great again!
What to know about tuberculosis in the Bay Area after outbreak at high school
Though tuberculosis is rare in the United States as compared to developing countries, the region has some of the highest rates in the state.
www.mercurynews.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Looks like we are making infectious diseases great again!
Reposted by Beth S Linas, PhD, MHS
They won’t investigate the murders of Good or Pretti, but they’ll investigate fake 2020 election fraud. www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi...
FBI executing search warrant at Georgia election office related to 2020 vote, law enforcement official says
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is executing a search warrant at a Fulton County election office in Georgia related to the 2020 election, a law enforcement official familiar with the matter said o...
www.reuters.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:57 PM
They won’t investigate the murders of Good or Pretti, but they’ll investigate fake 2020 election fraud. www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi...