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
I’ve been thinking a lot about the tension between the principles of “freedom to” vs. “freedom from” in the context of public health.
Public health is often working toward “freedom from”; from smoke-filled air or vaccine-preventable disease, or from having a mass shooting at an elementary school.
Public health is often working toward “freedom from”; from smoke-filled air or vaccine-preventable disease, or from having a mass shooting at an elementary school.
February 19, 2026 at 4:03 PM
I’ve been thinking a lot about the tension between the principles of “freedom to” vs. “freedom from” in the context of public health.
Public health is often working toward “freedom from”; from smoke-filled air or vaccine-preventable disease, or from having a mass shooting at an elementary school.
Public health is often working toward “freedom from”; from smoke-filled air or vaccine-preventable disease, or from having a mass shooting at an elementary school.
Memorandum to the White House:
Filming obscenely rich men having other extremely rich men over to their estates to pretend to exercise in private facilities is not relatable.
MAHAHAHAHAHA strikes again.
Filming obscenely rich men having other extremely rich men over to their estates to pretend to exercise in private facilities is not relatable.
MAHAHAHAHAHA strikes again.
February 19, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Memorandum to the White House:
Filming obscenely rich men having other extremely rich men over to their estates to pretend to exercise in private facilities is not relatable.
MAHAHAHAHAHA strikes again.
Filming obscenely rich men having other extremely rich men over to their estates to pretend to exercise in private facilities is not relatable.
MAHAHAHAHAHA strikes again.
FDA Chief Makary just said that most drugs should be sold over the counter and not require a prescription, unless it’s “unsafe, you need laboratory tests to monitor…or if it could be used for some nefarious purpose or it's addictive”.
Bacteria celebrate as antibiotic resistance enters the chat.
Bacteria celebrate as antibiotic resistance enters the chat.
FDA chief Marty Makary says 'everything should be over the counter' unless drug is unsafe or addictive
Makary said the FDA is looking at prescription drugs like nausea medications and vaginal estrogen, and hopes to make changes this year.
www.cnbc.com
February 19, 2026 at 3:36 PM
FDA Chief Makary just said that most drugs should be sold over the counter and not require a prescription, unless it’s “unsafe, you need laboratory tests to monitor…or if it could be used for some nefarious purpose or it's addictive”.
Bacteria celebrate as antibiotic resistance enters the chat.
Bacteria celebrate as antibiotic resistance enters the chat.
Gosh I think Oz has cracked the code for Americans getting more physical activity in tree easy steps.
1. Invite Pete Hegseth to your beach house
2. Have your personal chef whip up a Mediterranean feast
3. Do tree pull-ups
1. Invite Pete Hegseth to your beach house
2. Have your personal chef whip up a Mediterranean feast
3. Do tree pull-ups
February 19, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Gosh I think Oz has cracked the code for Americans getting more physical activity in tree easy steps.
1. Invite Pete Hegseth to your beach house
2. Have your personal chef whip up a Mediterranean feast
3. Do tree pull-ups
1. Invite Pete Hegseth to your beach house
2. Have your personal chef whip up a Mediterranean feast
3. Do tree pull-ups
Reposted by Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
February 18, 2026 at 5:39 PM
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
The great news is that this study showed that monthly injections of antiretrovirals for patients with HIV improved medication adherence when compared to oral tablets.
The challenge will be ensuring access.
The challenge will be ensuring access.
The LATITUDE study published today in NEJM is the first randomized trial to show efficacy of long acting antiretrovirals among people with adherence challenges. This is a game changing study. 1/3
February 19, 2026 at 2:52 PM
The great news is that this study showed that monthly injections of antiretrovirals for patients with HIV improved medication adherence when compared to oral tablets.
The challenge will be ensuring access.
The challenge will be ensuring access.
“If I knew this could be the outcome, I still wouldn't have given my son the vaccine.”
This was said by the mother of a child in South Carolina who has been hospitalized with measles encephalitis since January.
I tried out several sentences for this spot, but none could capture my thoughts.
This was said by the mother of a child in South Carolina who has been hospitalized with measles encephalitis since January.
I tried out several sentences for this spot, but none could capture my thoughts.
Mom whose 7-year-old has brain swelling from measles still wouldn’t vaccinate
EXCLUSIVE: South Carolina parents living in the state’s measles epicenter tell Rhian Lubin of their devastation after their unvaccinated 7-year-old son, Ethan, developed encephalitis, a complication f...
www.independent.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 2:35 PM
“If I knew this could be the outcome, I still wouldn't have given my son the vaccine.”
This was said by the mother of a child in South Carolina who has been hospitalized with measles encephalitis since January.
I tried out several sentences for this spot, but none could capture my thoughts.
This was said by the mother of a child in South Carolina who has been hospitalized with measles encephalitis since January.
I tried out several sentences for this spot, but none could capture my thoughts.
This man is correct.
I’ve been shouting that KPM (Kennedy Prasad and Makary) are the greatest threat to health and life to Americans and visitors to the US that we have currently. Even more so than Felonious 47. Every day they prove me right…
RFK Jr., Bhattacharya, Prasad, Makary et al. are constantly claiming that everything they do is to “restore trust” in public health.
At what point do you think they should have to show some progress?
The fact is that trust in public health has plummeted since these fools took office.
At what point do you think they should have to show some progress?
The fact is that trust in public health has plummeted since these fools took office.
February 19, 2026 at 12:41 AM
This man is correct.
😂✅
When reached for comment about how he would handle both jobs, Bhattacharya said “lockdowns were a catastrophic mistake that destroyed a generation.”
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya is now also the temporary head of the CDC, a role in which he is expected to continue to do nothing but appear on right-wing podcasts and further cement the complete lack of respect of his colleagues.
February 19, 2026 at 12:28 AM
😂✅
Sometimes I think I could just post randomly-generated lyrics from Rage Against the Machine and not only would they be evergreen, it wouldn’t be much different from my actual posts.
February 18, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Sometimes I think I could just post randomly-generated lyrics from Rage Against the Machine and not only would they be evergreen, it wouldn’t be much different from my actual posts.
Dr. Corbett is a hero, plain and simple.
Dr. Corbett boasts a patent portfolio which also includes universal coronavirus and influenza vaccine concepts, and novel therapeutic antibodies. In all, she has over 15 years of experience studying dengue virus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, and coronaviruses
#BlackHistoryMonth
#BlackHistoryMonth
February 18, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Dr. Corbett is a hero, plain and simple.
Back in graduate school in the late 1900’s, I worked with HeLa cells in the lab. I had no idea of the story behind them.
They were cervical cancer cells that were taken, without consent, from a woman named Henrietta Lacks.
Her story is one that covers just about every corner of public health.
They were cervical cancer cells that were taken, without consent, from a woman named Henrietta Lacks.
Her story is one that covers just about every corner of public health.
February 18, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Back in graduate school in the late 1900’s, I worked with HeLa cells in the lab. I had no idea of the story behind them.
They were cervical cancer cells that were taken, without consent, from a woman named Henrietta Lacks.
Her story is one that covers just about every corner of public health.
They were cervical cancer cells that were taken, without consent, from a woman named Henrietta Lacks.
Her story is one that covers just about every corner of public health.
Hey fam, it’s us!
“…Defend Public Health filed an amicus brief, arguing that the changes to the vaccine schedule…did not follow best practices for vaccine policy and that HHS’s statements that the changes would increase trust in vaccines and its comparisons to peer nations were faulty”.
“…Defend Public Health filed an amicus brief, arguing that the changes to the vaccine schedule…did not follow best practices for vaccine policy and that HHS’s statements that the changes would increase trust in vaccines and its comparisons to peer nations were faulty”.
In court, AAP argues Kennedy’s HHS made unlawful changes to vaccine policies
After a day of oral arguments in a packed courtroom, a Boston federal judge did not rule from the bench on a lawsuit from AAP against HHS focused on vaccines.
www.statnews.com
February 18, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Hey fam, it’s us!
“…Defend Public Health filed an amicus brief, arguing that the changes to the vaccine schedule…did not follow best practices for vaccine policy and that HHS’s statements that the changes would increase trust in vaccines and its comparisons to peer nations were faulty”.
“…Defend Public Health filed an amicus brief, arguing that the changes to the vaccine schedule…did not follow best practices for vaccine policy and that HHS’s statements that the changes would increase trust in vaccines and its comparisons to peer nations were faulty”.
The next meeting of RFK Jr.’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was scheduled for next week, but may be postponed.
It’s a symptom of the chaos at HHS, caused by placing political operatives and snake oil peddlers in key roles.
TBH, the public will be safer if it’s cancelled.
It’s a symptom of the chaos at HHS, caused by placing political operatives and snake oil peddlers in key roles.
TBH, the public will be safer if it’s cancelled.
Upcoming meeting of federal vaccine panel may be postponed after HHS missed deadlines
Federal officials have missed the legal deadline to notify the public of an upcoming ACIP meeting, raising questions about whether the meeting will be postponed.
www.statnews.com
February 18, 2026 at 8:15 PM
The next meeting of RFK Jr.’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was scheduled for next week, but may be postponed.
It’s a symptom of the chaos at HHS, caused by placing political operatives and snake oil peddlers in key roles.
TBH, the public will be safer if it’s cancelled.
It’s a symptom of the chaos at HHS, caused by placing political operatives and snake oil peddlers in key roles.
TBH, the public will be safer if it’s cancelled.
Defend Public Health and National Nurses United joined forces last Spring to oppose Casey Means as Surgeon General.
Time to dust off all of those emails and call scripts. Her hearing is February 25th.
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social
@nationalnurses.bsky.social
Time to dust off all of those emails and call scripts. Her hearing is February 25th.
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social
@nationalnurses.bsky.social
Nurses and public health advocates join to strongly oppose new U.S. surgeon general nomination
National Nurses United and Defend Public Health are joining together to condemn the nomination of Casey Means for U.S. surgeon general, saying her unscientific, anti-vaccine rhetoric poses a serious t...
www.nationalnursesunited.org
February 18, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Defend Public Health and National Nurses United joined forces last Spring to oppose Casey Means as Surgeon General.
Time to dust off all of those emails and call scripts. Her hearing is February 25th.
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social
@nationalnurses.bsky.social
Time to dust off all of those emails and call scripts. Her hearing is February 25th.
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social
@nationalnurses.bsky.social
Yes
In addition to Bhattacharya’s contempt public health fundamentals, it’s worth talking about this pattern of Trump naming the same person to run two agencies.
-Transportation and NASA
-Social Security and the IRS
-And now CDC and NIH
What’s up? Does this administration have so few loyal lackeys?
-Transportation and NASA
-Social Security and the IRS
-And now CDC and NIH
What’s up? Does this administration have so few loyal lackeys?
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya is now also the temporary head of the CDC, a role in which he is expected to continue to do nothing but appear on right-wing podcasts and further cement the complete lack of respect of his colleagues.
February 18, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Yes
Medical Quacktitioner Casey Means will have her confirmation hearing for Surgeon General next week.
For those thinking there may be a shakeup going on related to RFK Jr.’s public health agencies, this will likely reveal that Republicans still don’t care about scientific evidence or public health.
For those thinking there may be a shakeup going on related to RFK Jr.’s public health agencies, this will likely reveal that Republicans still don’t care about scientific evidence or public health.
U.S. Senate panel sets Feb. 25 hearing for Trump surgeon general nominee
The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will hold its delayed confirmation hearing for Casey Means, President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. surgeon general, next week, th...
www.reuters.com
February 18, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Medical Quacktitioner Casey Means will have her confirmation hearing for Surgeon General next week.
For those thinking there may be a shakeup going on related to RFK Jr.’s public health agencies, this will likely reveal that Republicans still don’t care about scientific evidence or public health.
For those thinking there may be a shakeup going on related to RFK Jr.’s public health agencies, this will likely reveal that Republicans still don’t care about scientific evidence or public health.
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya is now also the temporary head of the CDC, a role in which he is expected to continue to do nothing but appear on right-wing podcasts and further cement the complete lack of respect of his colleagues.
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya will take over leadership of CDC temporarily
The transition is the latest in a monthslong series of leadership shake-ups across federal health agencies.
www.nbcnews.com
February 18, 2026 at 7:19 PM
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya is now also the temporary head of the CDC, a role in which he is expected to continue to do nothing but appear on right-wing podcasts and further cement the complete lack of respect of his colleagues.
It’s Wednesday and that means it’s time for the @defendpublichealth.bsky.social Whopper of the Week!
This time the team takes on RFK Jr.’s attempts to cover up that his anti-vax campaign in Samoa ended with 83 people dead from measles.
This time the team takes on RFK Jr.’s attempts to cover up that his anti-vax campaign in Samoa ended with 83 people dead from measles.
Whopper of the Week: RFK Jr Went to Samoa to Spread Antivax Ideas and Lied About It to Congress | Defend Public Health
Kennedy visited Samoa in 2019 when the Samoan government was restarting its childhood MMR immunization program. At his confirmation hearing in 2025, Secretary Kennedy assured Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) ...
www.defendpublichealth.org
February 18, 2026 at 6:05 PM
It’s Wednesday and that means it’s time for the @defendpublichealth.bsky.social Whopper of the Week!
This time the team takes on RFK Jr.’s attempts to cover up that his anti-vax campaign in Samoa ended with 83 people dead from measles.
This time the team takes on RFK Jr.’s attempts to cover up that his anti-vax campaign in Samoa ended with 83 people dead from measles.
Given the erratic decisions of the Food and Drug Administration, do you think the people who lead it might view it more as a buffet and less of a regulatory agency?
February 18, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Given the erratic decisions of the Food and Drug Administration, do you think the people who lead it might view it more as a buffet and less of a regulatory agency?
RFK Jr., Bhattacharya, Prasad, Makary et al. are constantly claiming that everything they do is to “restore trust” in public health.
At what point do you think they should have to show some progress?
The fact is that trust in public health has plummeted since these fools took office.
At what point do you think they should have to show some progress?
The fact is that trust in public health has plummeted since these fools took office.
February 18, 2026 at 2:44 PM
RFK Jr., Bhattacharya, Prasad, Makary et al. are constantly claiming that everything they do is to “restore trust” in public health.
At what point do you think they should have to show some progress?
The fact is that trust in public health has plummeted since these fools took office.
At what point do you think they should have to show some progress?
The fact is that trust in public health has plummeted since these fools took office.
I wonder which Republican political strategist was mulling over how to promote physical activity when a lightbulb went off.
“I’ve got it. RFK Jr. working out shirtless and in jeans with Kid Rock. Pushups in a sauna, plunge pool, the whole thing. Book it”.
“I’ve got it. RFK Jr. working out shirtless and in jeans with Kid Rock. Pushups in a sauna, plunge pool, the whole thing. Book it”.
February 18, 2026 at 2:36 PM
I wonder which Republican political strategist was mulling over how to promote physical activity when a lightbulb went off.
“I’ve got it. RFK Jr. working out shirtless and in jeans with Kid Rock. Pushups in a sauna, plunge pool, the whole thing. Book it”.
“I’ve got it. RFK Jr. working out shirtless and in jeans with Kid Rock. Pushups in a sauna, plunge pool, the whole thing. Book it”.
The FDA has reversed course and will now review Moderna’s new flu vaccine.
Last week, professional agitator Vinay Prasad overrode FDA scientists and sent a letter saying that the FDA would not review it.
Last week, professional agitator Vinay Prasad overrode FDA scientists and sent a letter saying that the FDA would not review it.
FDA reverses course, agrees to review Moderna’s flu vaccine
The FDA reversed course and told Moderna it would review its application for a new flu vaccine, the company announced Wednesday.
www.statnews.com
February 18, 2026 at 2:04 PM
The FDA has reversed course and will now review Moderna’s new flu vaccine.
Last week, professional agitator Vinay Prasad overrode FDA scientists and sent a letter saying that the FDA would not review it.
Last week, professional agitator Vinay Prasad overrode FDA scientists and sent a letter saying that the FDA would not review it.
Unfortunately as an Arizonan I am all too familiar with ICE purchasing warehouses to use as detention camps.
The incredible @drjudystone.bsky.social takes on this cruelty in her latest.
The incredible @drjudystone.bsky.social takes on this cruelty in her latest.
What To Watch For When ICE Buys Local Warehouses
DHS is buying huge warehouses raising concerns about economic impacts on towns, adequate water and infrastructure, and outbreaks of measles, other infectious diseases.
www.forbes.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Unfortunately as an Arizonan I am all too familiar with ICE purchasing warehouses to use as detention camps.
The incredible @drjudystone.bsky.social takes on this cruelty in her latest.
The incredible @drjudystone.bsky.social takes on this cruelty in her latest.
Republicans in Congress have been warned repeatedly that RFK Jr. is destroying the U.S. vaccine program.
The problem is that they love it. It’s part of their “medical freedom” platform.
The problem is that they love it. It’s part of their “medical freedom” platform.
Vaccine Makers Curtail Research and Cut Jobs
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Republicans in Congress have been warned repeatedly that RFK Jr. is destroying the U.S. vaccine program.
The problem is that they love it. It’s part of their “medical freedom” platform.
The problem is that they love it. It’s part of their “medical freedom” platform.