Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD
@elizabethjacobs.bsky.social
Epidemiologist. Professor Emerita. Workplace Wrecker. Blue in Arizona, forged in the Burgh.
Banner quote by @amandagorman
1elizabethtjacobs1@gmail.com
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social
https://www.defendpublichealth.org
Banner quote by @amandagorman
1elizabethtjacobs1@gmail.com
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social
https://www.defendpublichealth.org
Reposted by Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD
Sidenote about mumps: swollen (painful) testes in ~15-30% of teens and adults, also swollen ovaries (~5%) and mammary glands (~30%) and encephalitis (~1%), so let's hear people say "natural immunity" is superior to getting vaxxed.
Measles is a bellwether. Because it’s the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, when vaccination rates drop, it’s the first to start spreading.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Maryland health officials warn providers about an upsurge in mumps cases
Maryland health officials are warning about an uptick in cases of mumps.
www.thebanner.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Sidenote about mumps: swollen (painful) testes in ~15-30% of teens and adults, also swollen ovaries (~5%) and mammary glands (~30%) and encephalitis (~1%), so let's hear people say "natural immunity" is superior to getting vaxxed.
Reposted by Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD
Something that you might not know about mumps is that it can lead to a complication known as mumps orchitis, which is the inflammation and swelling of the testicles. It was such a problem in the military, pre-vaccine, leading to loss duty time, that they pushed for the development of a vaccine.
Measles is a bellwether. Because it’s the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, when vaccination rates drop, it’s the first to start spreading.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Maryland health officials warn providers about an upsurge in mumps cases
Maryland health officials are warning about an uptick in cases of mumps.
www.thebanner.com
February 15, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Something that you might not know about mumps is that it can lead to a complication known as mumps orchitis, which is the inflammation and swelling of the testicles. It was such a problem in the military, pre-vaccine, leading to loss duty time, that they pushed for the development of a vaccine.
Reposted by Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD
The Trump Administration Is Waging a Global War on Children. An OpEd with my friend and co-author @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social
www.commondreams.org/opinion/trum...
www.commondreams.org/opinion/trum...
The Trump Administration Is Waging a Global War on Children | Common Dreams
By cutting aid abroad and the social safety net at home, while spreading vaccine skepticism, the administration is ensuring that more children will suffer and die.
www.commondreams.org
February 15, 2026 at 2:59 PM
The Trump Administration Is Waging a Global War on Children. An OpEd with my friend and co-author @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social
www.commondreams.org/opinion/trum...
www.commondreams.org/opinion/trum...
They won’t stop until the National Institutes of Health is a hollowed out RFK Jr. echo chamber and revenue generation machine for snake oil peddlers.
National Institutes of Health faces leadership vacuum as director positions sit open
More than half of the NIH's institutes and centers don’t have permanent directors, giving the Trump administration an unusual opportunity to reshape the agency. The latest departure came on Friday.
www.nbcnews.com
February 15, 2026 at 3:01 PM
They won’t stop until the National Institutes of Health is a hollowed out RFK Jr. echo chamber and revenue generation machine for snake oil peddlers.
Menfolk who maybe don’t want to vaccinate, please google “orchitis”.
It occurs in 20-30% of post-pubertal boys and men who contract mumps.
It occurs in 20-30% of post-pubertal boys and men who contract mumps.
February 15, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Menfolk who maybe don’t want to vaccinate, please google “orchitis”.
It occurs in 20-30% of post-pubertal boys and men who contract mumps.
It occurs in 20-30% of post-pubertal boys and men who contract mumps.
Reposted by Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD
Periodic reminder that mumps can cause testicular inflammation and subsequent infertility in post-pubescent males.
Measles is a bellwether. Because it’s the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, when vaccination rates drop, it’s the first to start spreading.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Maryland health officials warn providers about an upsurge in mumps cases
Maryland health officials are warning about an uptick in cases of mumps.
www.thebanner.com
February 15, 2026 at 12:08 AM
Periodic reminder that mumps can cause testicular inflammation and subsequent infertility in post-pubescent males.
Measles is a bellwether. Because it’s the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, when vaccination rates drop, it’s the first to start spreading.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Maryland health officials warn providers about an upsurge in mumps cases
Maryland health officials are warning about an uptick in cases of mumps.
www.thebanner.com
February 14, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Measles is a bellwether. Because it’s the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, when vaccination rates drop, it’s the first to start spreading.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Now we’ve got mumps rolling up.
Expect more.
This is just the beginning of RFK Jr.’s successful infectious disease reintroduction plan.
Republicans fear education, especially of the military.
The Regime doesn’t want to pay tuition for military members who are furthering their education at Universities that Hegseth deems to be “biased against the US military and sponsoring 'troublesome partnerships with foreign adversaries.'"
The Regime doesn’t want to pay tuition for military members who are furthering their education at Universities that Hegseth deems to be “biased against the US military and sponsoring 'troublesome partnerships with foreign adversaries.'"
February 14, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Republicans fear education, especially of the military.
The Regime doesn’t want to pay tuition for military members who are furthering their education at Universities that Hegseth deems to be “biased against the US military and sponsoring 'troublesome partnerships with foreign adversaries.'"
The Regime doesn’t want to pay tuition for military members who are furthering their education at Universities that Hegseth deems to be “biased against the US military and sponsoring 'troublesome partnerships with foreign adversaries.'"
Reposted by Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD
Sharing a snarky Valentine's Day card.
Pass along to friends or ignore.
Pass along to friends or ignore.
February 14, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Sharing a snarky Valentine's Day card.
Pass along to friends or ignore.
Pass along to friends or ignore.
The Olympics has run out of condoms. This event is famous for all of the hookups. And who can blame them?
Someone send more condoms to Italy immediately. They’re still doing public health there.
Someone send more condoms to Italy immediately. They’re still doing public health there.
'They promised us more': Condom shortage hits Winter Olympics as supplies vanish in just 3 days
It may be the Winter Games, but the temperature at the Olympic Village is heated.
www.nbcboston.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:35 AM
The Olympics has run out of condoms. This event is famous for all of the hookups. And who can blame them?
Someone send more condoms to Italy immediately. They’re still doing public health there.
Someone send more condoms to Italy immediately. They’re still doing public health there.
Yes. Everyone should read this. @nurseteria.bsky.social also brought this to my attention and I’ve been meaning to post it.
@elizabethjacobs.bsky.social
Dr. Jacobs,
I read this and think you and your followers would appreciate it.
I found it to be informative and moving.
Tim in Oregon
Dr. Jacobs,
I read this and think you and your followers would appreciate it.
I found it to be informative and moving.
Tim in Oregon
This Is How a Child Dies of Measles
When your family becomes a data point in an outbreak
www.theatlantic.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Yes. Everyone should read this. @nurseteria.bsky.social also brought this to my attention and I’ve been meaning to post it.
Sure sure let’s order the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) to end all pandemic preparedness and biodefense work.
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Sure sure let’s order the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) to end all pandemic preparedness and biodefense work.
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
Prediction:
The next brand ambassador for RFK Jr.’s “Eat Real Food” campaign after Mike Tyson will be the equally unproblematic Lance Armstrong.
The next brand ambassador for RFK Jr.’s “Eat Real Food” campaign after Mike Tyson will be the equally unproblematic Lance Armstrong.
February 13, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Prediction:
The next brand ambassador for RFK Jr.’s “Eat Real Food” campaign after Mike Tyson will be the equally unproblematic Lance Armstrong.
The next brand ambassador for RFK Jr.’s “Eat Real Food” campaign after Mike Tyson will be the equally unproblematic Lance Armstrong.
I don’t want to be like Mike Tyson, Jay.
It’s incredible that Les Incompétents not only burned a fat stack of cash on a Mike Tyson Super Bowl ad, but are apparently building an entire campaign around him.
The food item for which Tyson is most famous is Evander Holyfield’s ear.
It’s incredible that Les Incompétents not only burned a fat stack of cash on a Mike Tyson Super Bowl ad, but are apparently building an entire campaign around him.
The food item for which Tyson is most famous is Evander Holyfield’s ear.
February 13, 2026 at 2:29 PM
I don’t want to be like Mike Tyson, Jay.
It’s incredible that Les Incompétents not only burned a fat stack of cash on a Mike Tyson Super Bowl ad, but are apparently building an entire campaign around him.
The food item for which Tyson is most famous is Evander Holyfield’s ear.
It’s incredible that Les Incompétents not only burned a fat stack of cash on a Mike Tyson Super Bowl ad, but are apparently building an entire campaign around him.
The food item for which Tyson is most famous is Evander Holyfield’s ear.
Under Trump, the USDA *wildly* underestimated the amount of corn that was harvested by US farmers in 2025.
This has been attributed by experts to be a direct result of massive staffing cuts.
Now, nobody in agriculture trusts USDA estimates and this could have disastrous effects.
This has been attributed by experts to be a direct result of massive staffing cuts.
Now, nobody in agriculture trusts USDA estimates and this could have disastrous effects.
USDA's reputation suffers after massive revisions in US corn acres
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, long the world's gold standard for crop estimates, faces mounting doubts about the reliability of its data from farmers, grain traders and economists following deep...
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Under Trump, the USDA *wildly* underestimated the amount of corn that was harvested by US farmers in 2025.
This has been attributed by experts to be a direct result of massive staffing cuts.
Now, nobody in agriculture trusts USDA estimates and this could have disastrous effects.
This has been attributed by experts to be a direct result of massive staffing cuts.
Now, nobody in agriculture trusts USDA estimates and this could have disastrous effects.
But they *are* representing the country well, JD.
First amendment n’at.
“Vance shared his view that "the way to bring the country together is not to show up in a foreign country and attack the president of the United States, but it's to play your sport and represent the country well."
First amendment n’at.
“Vance shared his view that "the way to bring the country together is not to show up in a foreign country and attack the president of the United States, but it's to play your sport and represent the country well."
Vice President JD Vance issues warning to U.S. Olympians over politics
JD Vance would like American athletes competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics to kindly stop speaking out against the Trump administration: 'You're not there to pop off about politics.'
ew.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:49 AM
But they *are* representing the country well, JD.
First amendment n’at.
“Vance shared his view that "the way to bring the country together is not to show up in a foreign country and attack the president of the United States, but it's to play your sport and represent the country well."
First amendment n’at.
“Vance shared his view that "the way to bring the country together is not to show up in a foreign country and attack the president of the United States, but it's to play your sport and represent the country well."
“A federal judge ruled Thursday that the Trump administration "trampled" on Sen. Mark Kelly's First Amendment rights, blocking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's efforts to punish Kelly, a retired naval officer”.
You’re damned right they did, go off Judge.
You’re damned right they did, go off Judge.
Judge says Pentagon 'trampled' on Sen. Mark Kelly's rights, blocks effort to demote him over 'illegal orders' video
The Pentagon moved to downgrade Kelly’s military retirement rank and pay over a video he appeared in that urged the military and intelligence community not to follow illegal orders.
www.nbcnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:14 AM
“A federal judge ruled Thursday that the Trump administration "trampled" on Sen. Mark Kelly's First Amendment rights, blocking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's efforts to punish Kelly, a retired naval officer”.
You’re damned right they did, go off Judge.
You’re damned right they did, go off Judge.
There’s a massive battle being waged in Maricopa County over elections officials and their duties.
The County recorder is Justin Heap (R, MAGA), who seems to be constructed of equal parts idiocy, arrogance, lies, and hubris.
He may be removed from office by a rival pack of MAGAs.
The County recorder is Justin Heap (R, MAGA), who seems to be constructed of equal parts idiocy, arrogance, lies, and hubris.
He may be removed from office by a rival pack of MAGAs.
Maricopa County Board pursues nuclear option in battle with Recorder Heap: Answer questions or face removal from office
Board's order gives Heap until Feb. 18 to answer questions about his budget requests, inflammatory statements
www.12news.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:50 AM
There’s a massive battle being waged in Maricopa County over elections officials and their duties.
The County recorder is Justin Heap (R, MAGA), who seems to be constructed of equal parts idiocy, arrogance, lies, and hubris.
He may be removed from office by a rival pack of MAGAs.
The County recorder is Justin Heap (R, MAGA), who seems to be constructed of equal parts idiocy, arrogance, lies, and hubris.
He may be removed from office by a rival pack of MAGAs.
RFK Jr. says we should check with AI about what to eat and then AI totally dunked on his stupid dietary guidance.
Also @bethmariem.bsky.social is doing some downright incredible work, and this article is another tour de force of very professional shade.
Also @bethmariem.bsky.social is doing some downright incredible work, and this article is another tour de force of very professional shade.
RFK Jr. food pyramid site links to Grok, which says you shouldn’t trust RFK Jr.
Grok generated a meal plan to fit RFK Jr.'s food pyramid, then explained why it's bad.
arstechnica.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:49 PM
RFK Jr. says we should check with AI about what to eat and then AI totally dunked on his stupid dietary guidance.
Also @bethmariem.bsky.social is doing some downright incredible work, and this article is another tour de force of very professional shade.
Also @bethmariem.bsky.social is doing some downright incredible work, and this article is another tour de force of very professional shade.
I thought this might be another post about ICE for a second…
Minnesota health officials warn of sexually transmitted fungal infection outbreak
www.cidrap.umn.edu
February 12, 2026 at 11:42 PM
I thought this might be another post about ICE for a second…
Karrin Taylor Robson was one of three Republicans running for Arizona Governor, and Trump endorsed her.
She just dropped out because she says she doesn’t want to add to the “divisiveness” of the primaries.
Not sorry to see her go, but the thought of Biggs or Schweikert as governor is sickening.
She just dropped out because she says she doesn’t want to add to the “divisiveness” of the primaries.
Not sorry to see her go, but the thought of Biggs or Schweikert as governor is sickening.
Karrin Taylor Robson drops out of race for Arizona governor
Karrin Taylor Robson announced Thursday that she will be dropping out of the race for Arizona governor.
www.abc15.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Karrin Taylor Robson was one of three Republicans running for Arizona Governor, and Trump endorsed her.
She just dropped out because she says she doesn’t want to add to the “divisiveness” of the primaries.
Not sorry to see her go, but the thought of Biggs or Schweikert as governor is sickening.
She just dropped out because she says she doesn’t want to add to the “divisiveness” of the primaries.
Not sorry to see her go, but the thought of Biggs or Schweikert as governor is sickening.
Yep yep Dr. Elders spoke the truth and got fired for it.
I hope everyone with your platform will scream her praises for stating the best/most practical advice for the betterment of society:
Teen boys should be encouraged to masturbate.
She was fired for it.
A lot of crimes would never happen if teen boys weren't so edgy.
Teen boys should be encouraged to masturbate.
She was fired for it.
A lot of crimes would never happen if teen boys weren't so edgy.
February 12, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Yep yep Dr. Elders spoke the truth and got fired for it.
Dr. Elders broke Republicans’ brains by advocating for and talking about real public health issues.
Dr. Joycelyn Elders was the fifteenth Surgeon General of the United States, the first African American and only the second woman to head the U.S. Public Health Service. Long an outspoken advocate of public health, Elders was appointed Surgeon General by President Clinton in 1993. #blackhistorymonth
February 12, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Dr. Elders broke Republicans’ brains by advocating for and talking about real public health issues.