Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
@mackayim.bsky.social
forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. australian.
#MasksWork
https://virologydownunder.com/
#MasksWork
https://virologydownunder.com/
Pinned
Another small Australian December #flu thread-Xmas edition!
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
⚡️Lions injured, birds killed — Russian attack strikes eco-park near Kharkiv.
Russian forces struck the Feldman Eco-Park near the city of Kharkiv, wounding and killing dozens of animals, Oleksandr Feldman, a Ukrainian member of parliament and founder of the eco-park, reported on Jan. 1.
Russian forces struck the Feldman Eco-Park near the city of Kharkiv, wounding and killing dozens of animals, Oleksandr Feldman, a Ukrainian member of parliament and founder of the eco-park, reported on Jan. 1.
Lions injured, birds killed — Russian attack strikes eco-park near Kharkiv
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, over 100 animals and five people, including employees and volunteers, have been killed by Russian forces on the eco-park's grounds.
kyivindependent.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:48 PM
⚡️Lions injured, birds killed — Russian attack strikes eco-park near Kharkiv.
Russian forces struck the Feldman Eco-Park near the city of Kharkiv, wounding and killing dozens of animals, Oleksandr Feldman, a Ukrainian member of parliament and founder of the eco-park, reported on Jan. 1.
Russian forces struck the Feldman Eco-Park near the city of Kharkiv, wounding and killing dozens of animals, Oleksandr Feldman, a Ukrainian member of parliament and founder of the eco-park, reported on Jan. 1.
"This anger comes from the sense that the country has been abandoned, as if no-one intends to stop the collapse, the instability, or the soaring prices"
#Iran
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
#Iran
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
'A hunger revolution': Inside the massive protests sweeping Iran
Protests spread from capital Tehran to other cities and across other demographics, with people demanding Iran's leaders end the country's clerical rule and hold free elections.
www.abc.net.au
January 1, 2026 at 7:52 PM
"This anger comes from the sense that the country has been abandoned, as if no-one intends to stop the collapse, the instability, or the soaring prices"
#Iran
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
#Iran
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Journalist Caolan Robertson from Kyiv:
"Midnight on New Year's Eve here in Ukraine, the start of 2026. Complete silence, no crowds, no fireworks, there's no cheering. Every other capital in the world right now is exploding with sounds, with light, and here it's silence.
"Midnight on New Year's Eve here in Ukraine, the start of 2026. Complete silence, no crowds, no fireworks, there's no cheering. Every other capital in the world right now is exploding with sounds, with light, and here it's silence.
January 1, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Journalist Caolan Robertson from Kyiv:
"Midnight on New Year's Eve here in Ukraine, the start of 2026. Complete silence, no crowds, no fireworks, there's no cheering. Every other capital in the world right now is exploding with sounds, with light, and here it's silence.
"Midnight on New Year's Eve here in Ukraine, the start of 2026. Complete silence, no crowds, no fireworks, there's no cheering. Every other capital in the world right now is exploding with sounds, with light, and here it's silence.
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Russian forces attacked an eco-park near Kharkiv overnight.
The occupiers hit the park’s territory near the contact yard. The attack destroyed enclosures, and animals were killed.
The occupiers hit the park’s territory near the contact yard. The attack destroyed enclosures, and animals were killed.
March 3, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Russian forces attacked an eco-park near Kharkiv overnight.
The occupiers hit the park’s territory near the contact yard. The attack destroyed enclosures, and animals were killed.
The occupiers hit the park’s territory near the contact yard. The attack destroyed enclosures, and animals were killed.
That feeling that your entire being may have been influenced by someone, and you only realise it in your 50s!
😢
😢
If you grew up with John Clarke on your TV and/or radio go see “Not only Fred Dagg but also John Clarke# - take tissues. Joyous doco by Lorin Clarke. A funny smart man with a big heart. 5/5
January 1, 2026 at 11:35 AM
That feeling that your entire being may have been influenced by someone, and you only realise it in your 50s!
😢
😢
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
NEW: Protests in Iran have expanded geographically and demographically since December 28, and many of the recent protests adopted an explicitly anti-regime tone. 🧵(1/5)
Iran Update, December 30, 2025: isw.pub/IranUpdate12...
Iran Update, December 30, 2025: isw.pub/IranUpdate12...
December 31, 2025 at 3:28 AM
NEW: Protests in Iran have expanded geographically and demographically since December 28, and many of the recent protests adopted an explicitly anti-regime tone. 🧵(1/5)
Iran Update, December 30, 2025: isw.pub/IranUpdate12...
Iran Update, December 30, 2025: isw.pub/IranUpdate12...
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Protesters have now started to storm government buildings in Iran. aje.io/77do6o
Iran protesters try to break into gov’t building as demonstrations continue
A woman was arrested and three security personnel injured in the incident, according to Iranian media reports.
aje.io
January 1, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Protesters have now started to storm government buildings in Iran. aje.io/77do6o
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
THREAD: Verified videos of anti-establishment protests currently unfolding in Iran
Protesters push back police and security forces on Tehran's Jomhouri Street.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/LKZH6YbnT2WE...
@geoconfirmed.org
Protesters push back police and security forces on Tehran's Jomhouri Street.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/LKZH6YbnT2WE...
@geoconfirmed.org
December 31, 2025 at 9:51 PM
THREAD: Verified videos of anti-establishment protests currently unfolding in Iran
Protesters push back police and security forces on Tehran's Jomhouri Street.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/LKZH6YbnT2WE...
@geoconfirmed.org
Protesters push back police and security forces on Tehran's Jomhouri Street.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/LKZH6YbnT2WE...
@geoconfirmed.org
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
“The collective west, including our Asian and Pacific democratic allies, has failed to imagine a free world that includes and encourages more nations.” Another fabulous article from @mollymckew.bsky.social
www.greatpower.us/p/2025-the-a...
www.greatpower.us/p/2025-the-a...
2025, the atomization of reality, and the failure of imagination… (part 1)
The free world is thinking small. Our adversaries are not.
www.greatpower.us
January 1, 2026 at 6:23 AM
“The collective west, including our Asian and Pacific democratic allies, has failed to imagine a free world that includes and encourages more nations.” Another fabulous article from @mollymckew.bsky.social
www.greatpower.us/p/2025-the-a...
www.greatpower.us/p/2025-the-a...
I just looked at the Muskovite's X feed (I'll give up calling it Twitter in 2026; I now see it's beyond recovery) and I'll have to remove, wash, boil and iron my eyeballs.
Good golly he's a foul and irredeemable human.
It's not true, not all things make the world go round. Some turn it backwards.
Good golly he's a foul and irredeemable human.
It's not true, not all things make the world go round. Some turn it backwards.
January 1, 2026 at 3:39 AM
I just looked at the Muskovite's X feed (I'll give up calling it Twitter in 2026; I now see it's beyond recovery) and I'll have to remove, wash, boil and iron my eyeballs.
Good golly he's a foul and irredeemable human.
It's not true, not all things make the world go round. Some turn it backwards.
Good golly he's a foul and irredeemable human.
It's not true, not all things make the world go round. Some turn it backwards.
Same tactics used by anti-science, anti-health, anti-moon landiig ...you name it. Throw out a lie. The other side waste time debunking it, to which the initiator says nothing, then they throw it out again in a few months.
It's like trolls run on a Russian disinformation protocol or something.🤔
It's like trolls run on a Russian disinformation protocol or something.🤔
Watch as absolutely no governments that condemned "the attack" apologize.
January 1, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Same tactics used by anti-science, anti-health, anti-moon landiig ...you name it. Throw out a lie. The other side waste time debunking it, to which the initiator says nothing, then they throw it out again in a few months.
It's like trolls run on a Russian disinformation protocol or something.🤔
It's like trolls run on a Russian disinformation protocol or something.🤔
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is closer than ever to ending the war but warned: “Russia does not end its wars on its own.” No more “Budapest paper,” no “Minsk trap” — only real security. “My signature will be under a strong agreement.”
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/01/u...
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/01/u...
December 31, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is closer than ever to ending the war but warned: “Russia does not end its wars on its own.” No more “Budapest paper,” no “Minsk trap” — only real security. “My signature will be under a strong agreement.”
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/01/u...
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/01/u...
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
NEW: Iranian security forces shot live fire to disperse protesters in at least two instances on December 31, as protests continued across Iran for the fourth consecutive day. The Iranian regime is taking steps to prevent further protests at universities. (1/2)
Read more: isw.pub/IranUpdate12...
Read more: isw.pub/IranUpdate12...
December 31, 2025 at 11:30 PM
NEW: Iranian security forces shot live fire to disperse protesters in at least two instances on December 31, as protests continued across Iran for the fourth consecutive day. The Iranian regime is taking steps to prevent further protests at universities. (1/2)
Read more: isw.pub/IranUpdate12...
Read more: isw.pub/IranUpdate12...
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
❗️🇺🇦 Zelensky: When Putin says, “We’re not going to attack you,” that is the first warning of exactly where his tanks will go and where his drones will fly.
Ukraine is the only shield that separates Europe’s comfortable way of life from the Russian world.
Ukraine is the only shield that separates Europe’s comfortable way of life from the Russian world.
January 1, 2026 at 12:13 AM
❗️🇺🇦 Zelensky: When Putin says, “We’re not going to attack you,” that is the first warning of exactly where his tanks will go and where his drones will fly.
Ukraine is the only shield that separates Europe’s comfortable way of life from the Russian world.
Ukraine is the only shield that separates Europe’s comfortable way of life from the Russian world.
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
⚡️Finland detains Russia-linked ship suspected of sabotage.
Early in the morning on Dec. 31, an undersea communications cable linking Finland and Estonia was reported damaged. The cargo ship Fitburg, sailing from Russia, may be responsible, authorities said.
Early in the morning on Dec. 31, an undersea communications cable linking Finland and Estonia was reported damaged. The cargo ship Fitburg, sailing from Russia, may be responsible, authorities said.
Finland detains Russia-linked ship suspected of sabotage
Early in the morning on Dec. 31, the Finnish telecommunications service provider Elisa reported that an undersea cable linking Finland and Estonia had been damaged. The cargo ship Fitburg, sailing fr...
kyivindependent.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:55 PM
⚡️Finland detains Russia-linked ship suspected of sabotage.
Early in the morning on Dec. 31, an undersea communications cable linking Finland and Estonia was reported damaged. The cargo ship Fitburg, sailing from Russia, may be responsible, authorities said.
Early in the morning on Dec. 31, an undersea communications cable linking Finland and Estonia was reported damaged. The cargo ship Fitburg, sailing from Russia, may be responsible, authorities said.
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Watch as absolutely no governments that condemned "the attack" apologize.
December 31, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Watch as absolutely no governments that condemned "the attack" apologize.
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Finland is thinking things through. I once visited a Helsinki school that had been a hospital during the Winter War. The walls still had Russian bullet holes. yle.fi/a/74-20202073
Finland's hospitals bolster wartime preparedness
From mobile medical units to reinforced hospitals, Finland's hospital system is adapting to harsh lessons learned from Ukraine.
yle.fi
December 31, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Finland is thinking things through. I once visited a Helsinki school that had been a hospital during the Winter War. The walls still had Russian bullet holes. yle.fi/a/74-20202073
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
A malignant narcissist is incapable of withstanding ridicule, so please share this as widely as possible.
Thanking you all in advance, Mar🐫
🙏
shorturl.at/mcfqd
Thanking you all in advance, Mar🐫
🙏
shorturl.at/mcfqd
Somebody Needs to Tell Trump Everybody Is Laughing at Him
His worst fear has already come true.
shorturl.at
December 31, 2025 at 8:03 PM
A malignant narcissist is incapable of withstanding ridicule, so please share this as widely as possible.
Thanking you all in advance, Mar🐫
🙏
shorturl.at/mcfqd
Thanking you all in advance, Mar🐫
🙏
shorturl.at/mcfqd
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Six years ago today I was right here at the kitchen table, learning about a "pneumonia" outbreak in Wuhan. COVID-19 Is Six Today. What We've Learned via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/Analysis/202...
COVID-19 Is Six Today. What We’ve Learned | The Tyee
We need cleaner air, which requires changes in medical culture.
thetyee.ca
December 31, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Six years ago today I was right here at the kitchen table, learning about a "pneumonia" outbreak in Wuhan. COVID-19 Is Six Today. What We've Learned via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/Analysis/202...
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Mike Coston: afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/12/who-...
WHO Statement: COVID-19 Still Causes Severe Disease & Renewed Vaccination Recommendations
#19,005 Six years ago last night - a little before midnight - the dedicated newshounds at FluTrackers began posting reports of a ` SARS-...
afludiary.blogspot.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Mike Coston: afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/12/who-...
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
AFD Blog `WHO Statement: COVID-19 Still Causes Severe Disease & Renewed Vaccination Recommendations' #COVID afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/12/who-...
WHO Statement: COVID-19 Still Causes Severe Disease & Renewed Vaccination Recommendations
#19,005 Six years ago last night - a little before midnight - the dedicated newshounds at FluTrackers began posting reports of a ` SARS-...
afludiary.blogspot.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:51 AM
AFD Blog `WHO Statement: COVID-19 Still Causes Severe Disease & Renewed Vaccination Recommendations' #COVID afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/12/who-...
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Islamophobic incidents surge following Bondi shooting
Islamophobic incidents surge following Bondi shooting
Muslim Australians have expressed concern for their safety after a surge in reports of Islamophobia following the Bondi terror attack. People report being spat on, verbally assaulted and mosques have been vandalised. Faith leaders say it is 'unacceptable' that the actions of two alleged gunmen have led to a rise in hate against the broader Muslim community.
www.sbs.com.au
December 31, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Islamophobic incidents surge following Bondi shooting
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Ukraine war briefing: ‘Attack on global food security’ as Russia hits wheat ships and ports
Ukraine war briefing: ‘Attack on global food security’ as Russia hits wheat ships and ports
US has verified as fake the claimed attack on Putin residence, says Zelenskyy; leaders of Ukraine’s allies to meet in France next week. What we know on day 1,407
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Ukraine war briefing: ‘Attack on global food security’ as Russia hits wheat ships and ports
Reposted by Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🦟🧀
Russia deploys nuclear-capable missiles to Belarus
Russia deploys nuclear-capable missiles to Belarus
Russia says nuclear-capable missiles have been deployed to Belarus and are in active service. It brings the weapons closer to Europe as Russia toughens its negotiating position in peace talks with Ukraine.
www.sbs.com.au
December 31, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Russia deploys nuclear-capable missiles to Belarus