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altcdc.altgov.info
Alt CDC (they/them)
@altcdc.altgov.info
150K followers 770 following 8.4K posts
Public health experts resisting harmful policies, fighting disinformation, and defending public health from within.

Not official CDC—but close enough for transmission.

Proudly #AltGov

Tips? signal altCDC.99, email altCDCtips@proton.me or DM
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altcdc.altgov.info
Oh, Rand Paul. Never change.

thehill.com/homenews/sen...
A revival of Drake's Hotline Bling meme with Rand Paul's head superimposed. In the top panel, Drake Paul is shaking his head no at affordable healthcare. In the bottom panel, Drake Paul is smiling at hemp products.
November 10, 2025 at 10:44 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
"Like an ancient cyborg culling through the ruins of a post-apocalyptic planet (twitter, derogatory), Joyce Carol Oates recently fired her full-power death ray at aspiring trillionaire Elon Musk, whose childish attempts to justify his riches prompted this, from JCO (who will never stop tweeting)."
Screenshot of a post by Joyce Carol Oates on X. She writes: “So curious that such a wealthy man never posts anything that indicates that he enjoys or is even aware of what virtually everyone appreciates—scenes from nature, pet dog or cat, praise for a movie, music, a book (but doubt that he reads); pride in a friend’s or relative’s accomplishment; condolences for someone who has died; pleasure in sports, acclaim for a favorite team; references to history. In fact he seems totally uneducated, uncultured. The poorest persons on Twitter may have access to more beauty & meaning in life than the ‘most wealthy person in the world.’”
November 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
I don’t know why I’m still trying to help figure this out with you but here you are - it’s blocked for me too.
A dumb screenshot showing a post is blocked. Why am I still continuing with this thread?!
November 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
Fleh. Measles deserves another post as outbreaks across the US and Canada continue. But we are tired of crowing about it so we wrote you a poem instead. Enjoy!
Image of a Poem. It reads: Measles - The Comeback Tour In early 2000, it was ousted with cheer, “Eliminated! Gone from here!” But in 2025, the contagion is on track, For a viral encore, a sick comeback. 1,600+ U.S. cases, outbreaks galore, Measles said, “Miss me, bitches? I’m back for more!” Vax rates dipped to 92 percent, Now classroom ick feels…different. Across the border, it plays the same show, Canada’s flare-ups grow and grow. We both may lose that “elimination” crown, If herd immunity stays broken down. And somewhere backstage, grin so wide, Measles whispers, “thanks RFK Jr., my ride!” It waited decades for this debut, But two MMRs can still give it the boot!
November 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
I think this cartoon was circa Trump admin #1 - and even more painfully accurate today.

We’re proud of what we do at CDC. Proud to serve. Proud to be #FedStrong 💚

But for tonight’s lighter question:
If you weren’t in public health… what would your other dream job be? 🎭📚🎨
Cartoon by Teresa Burns Parkhurst from MAD Magazine. A parent stands talking to a teenager sitting on a couch while another adult sits nearby looking worried. The caption reads: “Listen, we KNOW your dream is to be a federal government employee, we’re just asking you to consider a career with more job security, like a street performer, or a poet.”
November 7, 2025 at 3:28 AM
altcdc.altgov.info
4/5 Dr. Emily Erbelding - leader in Operation Warp Speed
(That miraculous project to rapidly develop Covid vaccines…. which could have earned Pres Trump a Nobel Peace Prize except he’s such a fuckwit.)

Dr. Eberding - ousted from NIH in April. Her fears about the next pandemic 👇
Snippet from article: If there were another pandemic, she said, the thinned-out federal agencies might not be able to support another effort like Warp Speed. “You’re destroying something with these draconian cuts that took years to build,” she said. “It can’t be rebuilt as fast as it was taken down.”
November 7, 2025 at 2:55 AM
altcdc.altgov.info
2/5 Some choice quotes:

Dr. Jono Mermin helped lead the successful strategy called “Ending the HIV Epidemic” in the US.
Since April, he’s been on admin leave/reassigned outside CDC

Also, CDC's Division of HIV Prevention, part of the Center he directed, is at risk of being shut down.
Dr. Mermin:
Snippet from article: Quote: “If Congress does not save the division, he said, ‘we won’t be able to detect outbreaks, and we won’t be able to respond to them effectively, putting more people at risk for getting H.I.V.’”
November 7, 2025 at 2:55 AM
altcdc.altgov.info
The American Economy is suffering from Acute Kleptocracy Exposure Syndrome: ICD-$

Onset: minutes after contact with goons, grifters, and tech bros.

Symptoms may include:
• fainting spells from being bled dry
• widespread malaise
• elevated inequality

Treatment: strong doses of civic engagement
Donald Trump stands behind his desk not looking at a guy passed out near him with other people huddled around. They’re labeled “private equity”, “crypto”, “big Tech” and “AI”, and the passed out guy on the floor is labeled “American Economy”.
November 6, 2025 at 8:53 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
We could give you a nuanced take on the false and misleading claims and fear mongering design of this crunchy MAHA anti-vax graphic. But instead we’ll just add:

“Rotate baby for maximum stabbage”

😈
Is a white outline of a baby on a black background. The top image says 1986 and says “5 vaccines” and shows two oral doses and three vaccines with red syringes going into the baby. The bottom image says 32 vaccines for a year 2025 going into the baby. This is false, misleading, and designed to drive vaccine fear.
November 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
Just like Deb and Demetre, we're all looking forward to the day we can put the MAHA movement behind us for good

Then we can get back to the real work of actually improving Americans' health instead of side-eyeing quacks 🦆
Demetre Daskalakis (left) and Deb Houry (right) take a sardonic selfie in front of a "Make America Healthy Again" mural on the side of a building. Deb and Demetre are public health heroes who refused to compromise their scientific integrity during their tenure at CDC, despite pressure to warp the agency and science to RFKJr's twisted whims
November 6, 2025 at 1:54 AM
altcdc.altgov.info
It's day 36 of the shutdown 🚫💵and day 5 of no SNAP 🍽️(despite court orders).

We are so grateful to communities coming together to care for one another ❤️‍🩹

If you're a CDC worker needing resources or an ally wanting to support CDC workers 👉https://www.cdcresourceportal.org/
WHERE TO GET FREE FOOD IN ATL Atlanta Justice Alliance, most Saturdays 12pm at Woodruff Park. DM @atlantajusticealliance on IG Sol Underground Free Store, 1st Fridays 7-9pm at For Keeps Books; 2nd + 4th Fridays 7-9pm at 48 MLK Jr Dr SW. DM @solunderground on IG F4L Gresham Distro, every Wednesday 4-6pm at Gresham Rec Center. @weelauneedistro F4L Jonesboro Distro, every Friday 5pm at Jonesboro Rd SE + Hutchens Rd SE. @food4lifatl F4L Lakewood Distro, every Saturday 12pm at Lakewood Ave SE + Rhodesia Ave SE. @food4lifatl South Bend Commons, every Tuesday 5pm at 1799 Lakewood Ter SE. @southbendcommons New Life Community Alliance, Tues-Sat 10am-12pm at 3592 Flat Shoals Rd. 404-381-6731 Food4Life Edgewood Distro, every Sunday 1pm at Mayson Ave + Hardee St. @food4lifatl Intown Food Pantry, every Tues and Sat 10am-12pm at 1026 Ponce de Leon Ave NE. 404-590-6956 Mt Welcome Baptist Church Distro, 2nd + 4th Fridays 12pm-3pm, 2nd + 4th Sundays 11am-1pm at 851 Parker Ave. 404-373-4541 Another Chance of Atlanta, every Friday 11am-4pm at 3700 Wendell Dr SW, Suite 4. 678-974-5989 Community Church, every Wednesday 10am-1pm at 850 Cascade Ave SW. 404-755-4100 Salem Bible Church, 2nd + 4th Thursdays 10am-1pm at 2267 Baker Rd. 404-564-1466 PawKids ATL, every Mon and Thurs 11am-1pm at 1633 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy. @pawkids_atl Water Drop ATL (they have food too!) every Sunday morning near Lindbergh. DM @cun4ts for info F4L Clarkston Distro, every Tuesday 4pm at Milam Park, Clarkston. @food4lifatl Malachi's Storehouse, every Wed 9am-12pm at 4755 N Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody. malachis.org Salem Bible Church Stonecrest, every Tues 10am-1pm at 2750 Panola Rd, Stonecrest. 404-564-1469 Rock Church, every Tues 11am-1pm, Wed 9:30am-3pm, and Thurs 12pm-3pm at 4815 Courtney Dr, Forest Park. rockchurchatl.org MORE: Text “FINDFOOD” or “COMIDA” to 888-976-2232 (Atlanta Community Food Bank). FYI many of the pantries in their directory require ID. Get more info at acfb.org/get-help.
November 5, 2025 at 7:22 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
Welp, this photo on the official HHS X account neatly explains why…. if the Zombie Apocalypse happens today -
We. Are. Screwed.

🧟‍♂️ Back when CDC was great:
🔗 www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/27/c...

💩 And … um… today 👇

G’night 💤 - hope no Zombies come out tonight 🧟‍♀️
Instead of doing any real work - like posting information about vaccinations and actual public health strategies for ending the measles outbreak in the US - we have this. It’s an official HHS post on X showing a “costume" from Spirit of “MAHA Man” - basically, creepy ass RFK Jr and one of his birds. On the costume bag, it says: “Includes: Jeans, Beef Tallow, Radical Transparency, Gold-Standard Science. Does not include: Red 40, ultra-processed foods” Adult Size Costume
October 30, 2025 at 3:56 AM
altcdc.altgov.info
Headline: US health chief (🧠🪱) says there is not enough data to show Tylenol causes autism

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Um, yeah. We know.

www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Meme image from the movie Mean Girls showing a blonde teen girl saying, “So you agree Tylenol does not cause autism.”
October 30, 2025 at 3:03 AM
altcdc.altgov.info
🧟When you’re investigating the zombie apocalypse as patient zero🧟‍♀️

Credit: Emory Rollins School of Public Health
The image is a parody of a Spirit Halloween costume package. It humorously depicts a costume called “Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer.” The package has the familiar Spirit Halloween logo at the top left, showing a hooded grim reaper figure above the yellow “SPIRIT” text. The background fades from orange to red, typical of Spirit Halloween branding. On the left side of the package, white text in bold reads: EPIDEMIC INTELLIGENCE SERVICE OFFICER Includes: • Stress response to Friday emails • Lingering sense of dread • Ability to be resurrected repeatedly Below that, it says ADULT Size Costume and ONE SIZE FITS MOST in smaller text. On the right side of the image is a person dressed as a zombie in business attire — wearing a tattered black suit jacket, a white shirt with fake blood stains, and a loose tie. They have pale face makeup, darkened eyes, and fake blood on their face, posing with a zombie-like expression and outstretched hands.
October 29, 2025 at 4:17 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
If you’re in DC, there will be a vigil on Wednesday 10/29, 6pm to light candles for lives lost in the wake of USAID dismantling.
Image: a candle burns against a dark background. Text: A VIGIL WITH USAID OCTOBER 29, 6:00 P.M. 14T" STREET ENTRANCE RONALD REAGAN BUILDING JOIN US AS WE MOURN THE VICTIMS AND LIGHT CANDLES IN REMEMBRANCE AND IN HOPE
October 27, 2025 at 5:51 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
For this #weekinprotest, we can thank @fedsworkforyou.bsky.social for this call to action to give our reps an ear full about the GOP refusing to feed hungry families.

And if getting in the streets is more your style, find a protest near you.

📣
www.fiftyfifty.one

www.wethepeopledissent.net#map
Trump is holding hostage food benefits for 42 million families... ... all to get Democrats to give in on healthcare. Meanwhile, he has plenty of money to destroy the White House, bail out Argentina, and buy Kristi Noem private jets. Tell Trump to release the $6 billion in SNAP funding NOW! Call the White House: 202-456-1111
October 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
Bird flu is on the rise again after a summer lull, so we resurfacing some recommendations on what you can do to take precautions.

www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...

Data from: www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-po...
Screenshot from the USDA bird flu flock tracker, showing data from the last 30 days. Please visit this link to access this data: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks
October 24, 2025 at 8:56 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
9/9
Two hands, one dark-skinned and one light-skinned, pressed together palm-to-palm, each wearing a black braided bracelet (with rainbows on the bracelets). Large orange text reads “It takes two.” Smaller text explains: “To hug, to tango, Two doses to protect yourself from mpox. Start your mpox vaccine series today!” New York State Department of Health logo in the corner.
October 24, 2025 at 3:47 AM
altcdc.altgov.info
8/ Prevention ✨

💉 Get vaccinated (Jynneos) if at higher risk, including:

🏳️‍🌈 Gay/bi/men who have sex with men
❤️‍🔥 Multiple partners or engaged in sex work
🧬 People with HIV or taking PrEP
🤝 Known exposure to person w/ mpox

Find it 👉 ncsddc.org/mpox-locator/
(Vaccine usually free for those at risk)
Image of a person with a colorful intricate tattoo. The text says: Know the Skin You’re In. Mpox can spread to anyone through close, personal, skin to skin contact. Get vaccinated for you and your community. New York State Department of Health
October 24, 2025 at 3:47 AM
altcdc.altgov.info
4/ What is Mpox?
🦠 Viral disease caused by monkeypox virus, species of Orthopoxvirus
(Mpox is from same viral family as smallpox- now eradicated #publichealthwins)

Key symptoms
#1: Painful Rash
Also: flu like symptoms (fever, headache, body aches)

Infographics:
shorturl.at/ka5Cm
shorturl.at/kFJag
Infographic titled “Symptoms of Mpox.” It says symptoms usually start 5–21 days after exposure, and most people recover in 2–4 weeks. Key symptom: Rash — bumps, pimples, blisters, sores, or scabs that can appear anywhere on the body (including genitals, anus, mouth, hands, face). The rash may be itchy or painful, especially if inside the mouth or anus. Other symptoms: Flu-like symptoms such as fever or chills, exhaustion, muscle aches, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. These can appear 1–4 days before or after the rash. Not everyone gets all symptoms. Infographic showing Mpox lesion progression over 2–4 weeks. Stages: Macules (1–2 days): flat discolored spots. Papules (1–2 days): slightly raised, firm bumps. Vesicles (1–2 days): filled with clear liquid. Pustules (5–7 days): filled with opaque yellow fluid, raised and round. Crusting (7–14 days): lesions scab and itch. Healed (14–28 days): scabs fall off, new skin forms, person no longer contagious. Includes small diagram of a human body highlighting rash areas.
October 24, 2025 at 3:47 AM
altcdc.altgov.info
Get your flu shot. Winter is coming.

#fightflu
A poster from CDC's "wild to mild" flu vaccine campaign. In white font against a deep blue background it says "A flu vaccine can take flu from WILD to mild". A photo of an orange lion is standing over the word "Wild" and a small tabby kitten is sitting next to the word "mild". In the bottom corner is an orange box with white font that says "#fightflu". Next to it is the blue CDC logo with "CDC" in white font.
October 24, 2025 at 3:01 AM
altcdc.altgov.info
And no, this one could not have been an email.

#NoKings #Antifascist
Photo of a protest sign at the No Kings march in Atlanta. It's bright yellow and in black font says "LOVING THIS ANTIFA MEETING"
October 18, 2025 at 9:23 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
Today, from Valdosta to Atlanta, Savannah to Columbus, Georgians across the state stood up to say:

🚫No to kings
🚫No to racism
🚫No to fascism
🚫No to hate

Ya'll, the South will not rise again. It will be reborn.

#NoKings #50501GA
Large crowd of people holding American flags and a sign that has a rainbow background with "We the People, NO KINGS in AMERICA" in white font. Someone in the foreground is wearing a headband with frog eyes. Photo of hundreds of people marching down the street holding signs
October 18, 2025 at 9:20 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
Circular sign with a rod of Asclepius with a worm coiled around it and a red "no" sign overtop. Says, "De-worm our healthcare! Fire RFK Jr" Circular sign with an image of a brain and a worm, with a red "no" sign overtop, says, "Fire RFK Jr" Trump dressed as Marie Antoinette, saying "No Healthcare for Thee but a Ballroom for Me"
October 17, 2025 at 2:34 PM
altcdc.altgov.info
WHO NEEDS PROTEST SIGNS?!

Below, a collection of graphics we have created or used, all freely available.

One request: if you do use them tomorrow, we'd love to see photos of them out in the wild.

Make us proud, y'all!
Green background with raised fist in foreground, saying "Defend Public Health!". In small font, "created by altCDC, find us on Bluesky" Green background with a raised fist clasping a spoon. Says "Defend Public Health!" and in smaller font, "created by altCDC. Find us on Bluesky" Oregon Trail-style graphic with RFK Jr. hanging out of the wagon. Says, "You have died of preventable diseases" Green banner with photo of RFK Jr. saying, "I don't think people should be taking medical advice from me", and in large font, "Fire RFK Jr"
October 17, 2025 at 2:34 PM