Jim Alwine
@jimalwine.bsky.social
Virologist, Retired UPenn Professor, avid defender of facts, scientific research, vaccines and public health. Bicyclist, hiker, grandfather, writer, owned by two dachshunds and bass player for the Herpetic Legion.
The NYT’s morning news email called it “An operation in Venezuela.”
An operation?! It was an act of war, an illegal act. The puppet masters who pull Trump’s strings made a big mistake. This will likely lead to another long term war with lots of young Americans sacrificed.
An operation?! It was an act of war, an illegal act. The puppet masters who pull Trump’s strings made a big mistake. This will likely lead to another long term war with lots of young Americans sacrificed.
January 3, 2026 at 2:23 PM
The NYT’s morning news email called it “An operation in Venezuela.”
An operation?! It was an act of war, an illegal act. The puppet masters who pull Trump’s strings made a big mistake. This will likely lead to another long term war with lots of young Americans sacrificed.
An operation?! It was an act of war, an illegal act. The puppet masters who pull Trump’s strings made a big mistake. This will likely lead to another long term war with lots of young Americans sacrificed.
Honoring my southern heritage I am having Blackeyed Peas to bring good luck in the new year. I fear that the luck we need against the regime is far more than the poor beans can provide…but what the hell, every little bit helps.
January 2, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Honoring my southern heritage I am having Blackeyed Peas to bring good luck in the new year. I fear that the luck we need against the regime is far more than the poor beans can provide…but what the hell, every little bit helps.
I am heartened by the decision of Banner Health, a major health provided here in Tucson, to issue a mask mandate across all of its medical facilities starting today, Jan. 1. This is in response to increasing cases of flu caused by the dominant H3N2 flu strain (subclade K). It’s important
January 1, 2026 at 11:37 PM
I am heartened by the decision of Banner Health, a major health provided here in Tucson, to issue a mask mandate across all of its medical facilities starting today, Jan. 1. This is in response to increasing cases of flu caused by the dominant H3N2 flu strain (subclade K). It’s important
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Especially to those in the medical and life sciences and those who believe in science and the value of science-based public health. All those who have suffered under the insane rule of RFK Jr. We head into a new year
January 1, 2026 at 2:24 AM
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Especially to those in the medical and life sciences and those who believe in science and the value of science-based public health. All those who have suffered under the insane rule of RFK Jr. We head into a new year
Reposted by Jim Alwine
I wrote this last winter. I so wish I was wrong about where all this would lead. So much suffering, so much sickness and death because of this man. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/o...
Opinion | When ‘Just Asking Questions’ About Science Turns Into 300,000 Dead
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I wrote this last winter. I so wish I was wrong about where all this would lead. So much suffering, so much sickness and death because of this man. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/o...
Reposted by Jim Alwine
This speech is over 400 years old. It is gripping even now. He could be speaking of Steven Miller, Donald Trump, JD Vance, Tom Homans. It is devastating: "This is the strangers’ case
And this your mountainish inhumanity." Share. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DceE...
And this your mountainish inhumanity." Share. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DceE...
Ian McKellen performs speech about immigrants by Shakespeare from Thomas More (23/4/2016)
YouTube video by TFotF
www.youtube.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:27 AM
This speech is over 400 years old. It is gripping even now. He could be speaking of Steven Miller, Donald Trump, JD Vance, Tom Homans. It is devastating: "This is the strangers’ case
And this your mountainish inhumanity." Share. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DceE...
And this your mountainish inhumanity." Share. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DceE...
Reposted by Jim Alwine
Back in the old days, we used to call this a purge. Firing all your senior leaders at NIH? It's a purge. Just call it what it is.
More news (not good) from NIH
The renewal request from National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke Director Walter Koroshetz has been denied.
I guess the NIH_leadership™ needed another position to fill with their time-tested recruitment process.
The renewal request from National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke Director Walter Koroshetz has been denied.
I guess the NIH_leadership™ needed another position to fill with their time-tested recruitment process.
December 27, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Back in the old days, we used to call this a purge. Firing all your senior leaders at NIH? It's a purge. Just call it what it is.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by a lab virus from vaccine research, a defective influenza vaccine. Let’s analyze what a lie this is. First, in 1918, 107 years ago, virology was in its infancy
December 27, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by a lab virus from vaccine research, a defective influenza vaccine. Let’s analyze what a lie this is. First, in 1918, 107 years ago, virology was in its infancy
A Tucson Christmas, the Javelina on bicycle sculpture on the bike path at Kolb and Sabino Canyon is festively decorated. I particulaly like the Rudolph nose.
December 25, 2025 at 11:30 PM
A Tucson Christmas, the Javelina on bicycle sculpture on the bike path at Kolb and Sabino Canyon is festively decorated. I particulaly like the Rudolph nose.
Lola and Jack say Happy Holidays and send treats.
December 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Lola and Jack say Happy Holidays and send treats.
OK, a lot of posts from people who are in their 70s, like me, and have lived through a lot, only to find the present situation in America intolerable. Well I hope that all of you are protesting, writing to senators and reps, writing OpEds and generally being a wrench in the works. It’s the only
December 25, 2025 at 1:24 AM
OK, a lot of posts from people who are in their 70s, like me, and have lived through a lot, only to find the present situation in America intolerable. Well I hope that all of you are protesting, writing to senators and reps, writing OpEds and generally being a wrench in the works. It’s the only
Smidge
In my home we have a unit of measure called a smidge. It is an ephemeral unit varying in size by the user (Smidgee) and the substance being smidged. For example, a smidge of whipped cream could be a dollop, or two or three, depending on the smidgee. Whereas a smidge of salt
In my home we have a unit of measure called a smidge. It is an ephemeral unit varying in size by the user (Smidgee) and the substance being smidged. For example, a smidge of whipped cream could be a dollop, or two or three, depending on the smidgee. Whereas a smidge of salt
December 21, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Smidge
In my home we have a unit of measure called a smidge. It is an ephemeral unit varying in size by the user (Smidgee) and the substance being smidged. For example, a smidge of whipped cream could be a dollop, or two or three, depending on the smidgee. Whereas a smidge of salt
In my home we have a unit of measure called a smidge. It is an ephemeral unit varying in size by the user (Smidgee) and the substance being smidged. For example, a smidge of whipped cream could be a dollop, or two or three, depending on the smidgee. Whereas a smidge of salt
I would love it if we would all focus on one issue that is threatening our futures in the US. Focus dispite the fire hose of atrocities and diversions being blasted at us by the adminstration. My focus is stopping Robert F Kennedy Jr. and his anti-vaccine misinformation which endangers the lives 
December 20, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I would love it if we would all focus on one issue that is threatening our futures in the US. Focus dispite the fire hose of atrocities and diversions being blasted at us by the adminstration. My focus is stopping Robert F Kennedy Jr. and his anti-vaccine misinformation which endangers the lives 
Reposted by Jim Alwine
Defend Public Health’s amicus brief for American Academy of Pediatrics et al. vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can be read at the link below if you have any interest.
Shout out to the incredible @doritreiss.bsky.social and all of the public health lawyers who are fighting for all of us.
Shout out to the incredible @doritreiss.bsky.social and all of the public health lawyers who are fighting for all of us.
Defend Public Health's Amicus Brief for American Academy of Pediatrics vs. RFK Jr. | Defend Public Health
Defend Public Health has filed an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit filed against RFK Jr. by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, and three other health org...
www.defendpublichealth.org
December 18, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Defend Public Health’s amicus brief for American Academy of Pediatrics et al. vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can be read at the link below if you have any interest.
Shout out to the incredible @doritreiss.bsky.social and all of the public health lawyers who are fighting for all of us.
Shout out to the incredible @doritreiss.bsky.social and all of the public health lawyers who are fighting for all of us.
Reposted by Jim Alwine
Oh my God it just keeps getting worse. This #RFK sponsored #hepatitis vaccine trial in #Guinea-Bissau is being run by people whose research methods have been totally discredited. This isn’t research, it’s gun-for-hire antivax nonsense. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
What is actually the emerging evidence about non-specific vaccine effects in randomized trials from the Bandim Health Project?
www.sciencedirect.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Oh my God it just keeps getting worse. This #RFK sponsored #hepatitis vaccine trial in #Guinea-Bissau is being run by people whose research methods have been totally discredited. This isn’t research, it’s gun-for-hire antivax nonsense. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Jim Alwine
Like many others, I’ve been trying to figure out how the team that RFK Jr. just funded to do a randomized, controlled trial of HepB vaccine in Guinea-Bissau is going to get ethics approval.
In this thread, I share what I think they will do to alleviate ethical concerns.
bsky.app/profile/eliz...
In this thread, I share what I think they will do to alleviate ethical concerns.
bsky.app/profile/eliz...
Here is what I think the research team to whom RFK Jr. just gave $1.6 million to do a randomized controlled trial of HepB vaccine in Guinea-Bissau is going to do.
Although the WHO recommendation is to administer the HepB vaccine at birth, infants in G-B usually get it at 6 weeks, not at birth.
Although the WHO recommendation is to administer the HepB vaccine at birth, infants in G-B usually get it at 6 weeks, not at birth.
December 18, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Like many others, I’ve been trying to figure out how the team that RFK Jr. just funded to do a randomized, controlled trial of HepB vaccine in Guinea-Bissau is going to get ethics approval.
In this thread, I share what I think they will do to alleviate ethical concerns.
bsky.app/profile/eliz...
In this thread, I share what I think they will do to alleviate ethical concerns.
bsky.app/profile/eliz...
An evil, unethical and inhumane study has been funded by the Pershing Square Foundation, the Bluebell Foundation and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the bidding of RFKJr. Researchers at the Bandim Health Project will initiate a randomized 
December 18, 2025 at 7:59 PM
An evil, unethical and inhumane study has been funded by the Pershing Square Foundation, the Bluebell Foundation and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the bidding of RFKJr. Researchers at the Bandim Health Project will initiate a randomized 
Reposted by Jim Alwine
It's Whopper Wednesday!
This week, we take on RFK's claim that food allergies might be caused by aluminum adjuvants in vaccines.
(News flash, aluminum salt adjuvants in vaccines are safe. Removing them will decrease vaccine effectiveness, leaving our children vulnerable to infectious disease.)
This week, we take on RFK's claim that food allergies might be caused by aluminum adjuvants in vaccines.
(News flash, aluminum salt adjuvants in vaccines are safe. Removing them will decrease vaccine effectiveness, leaving our children vulnerable to infectious disease.)
Whopper of the Week: RFK Spreads Disinformation Again about Vaccines and Food Allergies | Defend Public Health
In 2024, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) concluded that over 70% of peanut allergies could be prevented through early consumption of peanut allergens by infants and c...
www.defendpublichealth.org
December 17, 2025 at 5:03 PM
It's Whopper Wednesday!
This week, we take on RFK's claim that food allergies might be caused by aluminum adjuvants in vaccines.
(News flash, aluminum salt adjuvants in vaccines are safe. Removing them will decrease vaccine effectiveness, leaving our children vulnerable to infectious disease.)
This week, we take on RFK's claim that food allergies might be caused by aluminum adjuvants in vaccines.
(News flash, aluminum salt adjuvants in vaccines are safe. Removing them will decrease vaccine effectiveness, leaving our children vulnerable to infectious disease.)
Reposted by Jim Alwine
The media needs to stop writing headlines like “The CDC changes course on vaccines and autism” and “The CDC defends measles response”.
NONE of this is coming from legitimate scientists at the CDC.
ALL of it is coming from RFK Jr.
Every such headline is causing further harm to public health.
NONE of this is coming from legitimate scientists at the CDC.
ALL of it is coming from RFK Jr.
Every such headline is causing further harm to public health.
December 17, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The media needs to stop writing headlines like “The CDC changes course on vaccines and autism” and “The CDC defends measles response”.
NONE of this is coming from legitimate scientists at the CDC.
ALL of it is coming from RFK Jr.
Every such headline is causing further harm to public health.
NONE of this is coming from legitimate scientists at the CDC.
ALL of it is coming from RFK Jr.
Every such headline is causing further harm to public health.
Reposted by Jim Alwine
Let’s be clear. This is about cronyism and patronage. The authoritarian and his minions get to decide what science is and who gets to do it. Everything is Lysenkoism now. And it will end in the same way: human suffering and the fall of a nation’s science. Tragedy All around.
Well, this is an utter disaster for science.
This gutting of peer review is very likely driven by Project 2025/OMB/Vought, very likely is about funding junk science, and very likely is coming for #NIH and biomedical research next.
🧪
This gutting of peer review is very likely driven by Project 2025/OMB/Vought, very likely is about funding junk science, and very likely is coming for #NIH and biomedical research next.
🧪
December 16, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Let’s be clear. This is about cronyism and patronage. The authoritarian and his minions get to decide what science is and who gets to do it. Everything is Lysenkoism now. And it will end in the same way: human suffering and the fall of a nation’s science. Tragedy All around.
Reposted by Jim Alwine
Hear from our very own Miriam Rabkin & David Perlman on “Look to the States to Lead on Public Health”
Like, share, & join us to Defend Public Health!
Like, share, & join us to Defend Public Health!
Opinion | Look to the States to Lead on Public Health
We cannot wait for the next election or hope that federal policy changes
www.medpagetoday.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Hear from our very own Miriam Rabkin & David Perlman on “Look to the States to Lead on Public Health”
Like, share, & join us to Defend Public Health!
Like, share, & join us to Defend Public Health!
Viral infections can leave you permanently damaged in greater or lesser ways. Maybe it’s lasting lung damage, a persistent cough, continual fatigue, loss of cognitive function, liver damage, cancer, loss of immunity, MS, long COVID, paralysis, shingles…the list
December 12, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Viral infections can leave you permanently damaged in greater or lesser ways. Maybe it’s lasting lung damage, a persistent cough, continual fatigue, loss of cognitive function, liver damage, cancer, loss of immunity, MS, long COVID, paralysis, shingles…the list
No, RFKJr, antidepressants do not cause mass shootings. www.defendpublichealth.org/opinion/whop...
Whopper of the Week: No, RFK, Antidepressants Do Not Cause Mass Shootings | Defend Public Health
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (RFK) has repeatedly said that antidepressant medications may be linked to mass shootings. Ignoring the considerable evidence that there are no links between antidepre...
www.defendpublichealth.org
December 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
No, RFKJr, antidepressants do not cause mass shootings. www.defendpublichealth.org/opinion/whop...
It gets worse every day. RFKJr’s deepening threat the health of all Americans. An OpEd by @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social and me.
progressive.org/latest/rfk-j...
progressive.org/latest/rfk-j...
RFK Jr.’s Deepening Threat to Public Health
The current HHS Secretary is the most dangerous in U.S. history.
progressive.org
December 8, 2025 at 11:34 PM
It gets worse every day. RFKJr’s deepening threat the health of all Americans. An OpEd by @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social and me.
progressive.org/latest/rfk-j...
progressive.org/latest/rfk-j...
What RFKJr and Trump are doing to vaccine availability in the US is a criminal attack on children who will be damaged and die from preventable diseases. As if that’s not horrible enough, Kennedy’s denial on infectious diseases is endangering us all. While other countries are planning
December 6, 2025 at 4:38 PM
What RFKJr and Trump are doing to vaccine availability in the US is a criminal attack on children who will be damaged and die from preventable diseases. As if that’s not horrible enough, Kennedy’s denial on infectious diseases is endangering us all. While other countries are planning