Andy Pickett
@andypinpa.bsky.social
Doing what I can at the intersection of public health, healthcare, emergency management, and homeland security. Creative problem solver, techie, music geek, and all-around nerd. Trying to make the world a better place.
https://linktr.ee/andrewdpickett
https://linktr.ee/andrewdpickett
Generally, I disagree with this direction...no, I vehemently disagree with this direction. But I'm also very curious to see how far vaccine rates will dip once this is enacted - or will most parents and clinicians do the right thing and continue to ensure their kids and patients are cared for?
Breaking news: Florida will end vaccine requirements to attend school, making it the first state to do so. The state’s surgeon general said every vaccine mandate “drips with disdain and slavery.”
Florida moves to end all school vaccine mandates, first in nation to do so
Florida Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo criticized school vaccine mandates, which every state has, and likened them to slavery.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 3, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Generally, I disagree with this direction...no, I vehemently disagree with this direction. But I'm also very curious to see how far vaccine rates will dip once this is enacted - or will most parents and clinicians do the right thing and continue to ensure their kids and patients are cared for?
This year's #NationalPreparednessMonth theme is Preparedness Starts at Home, and that is so true. Emergency managers often say that "disasters start and end locally", and there is nothing more local to you, than you. If you aren't prepared....nothing else matters. #PreparednessStartsAtHome #NPM
September 3, 2025 at 1:18 PM
This year's #NationalPreparednessMonth theme is Preparedness Starts at Home, and that is so true. Emergency managers often say that "disasters start and end locally", and there is nothing more local to you, than you. If you aren't prepared....nothing else matters. #PreparednessStartsAtHome #NPM
It's #NationalPreparednessMonth, and I've been neglecting my social media, so for the next 4 weeks or so, I'm going to try to help share both the "official" NPM messages, as well as my own thoughts on preparedness. So, buckle up! #NPM #EmergencyManagement #Preparedness #PublicHealth #GreySky
September 3, 2025 at 1:09 PM
It's #NationalPreparednessMonth, and I've been neglecting my social media, so for the next 4 weeks or so, I'm going to try to help share both the "official" NPM messages, as well as my own thoughts on preparedness. So, buckle up! #NPM #EmergencyManagement #Preparedness #PublicHealth #GreySky
This is a good summary, but again, I am frustrated with the focus on Medicaid as the lead talking point for public health agencies around OBBBA. There are numerous other impacts to public health in this bill, are there not? Why aren’t we talking about those?
www.astho.org/advocacy/fed...
www.astho.org/advocacy/fed...
July 10, 2025 at 2:08 PM
This is a good summary, but again, I am frustrated with the focus on Medicaid as the lead talking point for public health agencies around OBBBA. There are numerous other impacts to public health in this bill, are there not? Why aren’t we talking about those?
www.astho.org/advocacy/fed...
www.astho.org/advocacy/fed...
Very poignant comments by Vanderwagen on personal resiliency - how well can we step back and have faith that there will be a future, collectively and individually. “The resiliency of humanity lifted me up.” Who lifts you up? #PrepSummit2025
April 29, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Very poignant comments by Vanderwagen on personal resiliency - how well can we step back and have faith that there will be a future, collectively and individually. “The resiliency of humanity lifted me up.” Who lifts you up? #PrepSummit2025
Wow - social media engagement at #PrepSummit2025 is way down (nonexistent??) Where is everyone? Am I the only one addicted to my phone right now? Or just on the wrong platform?
April 29, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Wow - social media engagement at #PrepSummit2025 is way down (nonexistent??) Where is everyone? Am I the only one addicted to my phone right now? Or just on the wrong platform?
Former ASPR Craig Vanderwagen talking about developing situational awareness, especially around gaps that may exist without federal support - who can help fill those gaps in future emergencies? #PrepSummit2025
April 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Former ASPR Craig Vanderwagen talking about developing situational awareness, especially around gaps that may exist without federal support - who can help fill those gaps in future emergencies? #PrepSummit2025
NACCHO leadership talking about the change facing public health preparedness, now more so than ever. These truly are challenging times for public health agencies and disaster responders. Now is the time to ensure that people know the value of the work we do. And uncertainty cannot paralyze us.
April 29, 2025 at 3:16 PM
NACCHO leadership talking about the change facing public health preparedness, now more so than ever. These truly are challenging times for public health agencies and disaster responders. Now is the time to ensure that people know the value of the work we do. And uncertainty cannot paralyze us.
Kicking off #PrepSummit2025! It’s so good to be back with so many public health preparedness colleagues, with so much networking, sharing (and commiserating) going on, and I’m so looking forward to it. Plus…it’s #Fiesta week!
April 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Kicking off #PrepSummit2025! It’s so good to be back with so many public health preparedness colleagues, with so much networking, sharing (and commiserating) going on, and I’m so looking forward to it. Plus…it’s #Fiesta week!
A little #publichealth gallows humor? Why not…and it’s for a good cause, right?! 😂 #existentialdread
April 9, 2025 at 2:33 PM
A little #publichealth gallows humor? Why not…and it’s for a good cause, right?! 😂 #existentialdread
Happy National Public Health Week to all who celebrate! 😁 #NHPW
National Public Health Week is here! Public health starts with each of us making a difference in our homes and communities. It’s how the places we live, work and play affect our well-being. Join us April 7-13 www.nphw.org #NPHW #ItStartsHere
April 7, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Happy National Public Health Week to all who celebrate! 😁 #NHPW
Reposted by Andy Pickett
If you want a clear picture of what is currently happening to public health in the US, this is a must-read. #publichealthincrisis #publichealth yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/threats-to...
Threats to public health at every angle
Covid anniversary, pandemic revisionism, chronic diseases, and a boulder going down the hill
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com
March 28, 2025 at 1:44 PM
If you want a clear picture of what is currently happening to public health in the US, this is a must-read. #publichealthincrisis #publichealth yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/threats-to...
With $11 Billion being snatched from state and local public health - with absolutely zero notice - this will be "Black Tuesday" in the public health community.
But I fear this is only the beginning....
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
But I fear this is only the beginning....
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
CDC is pulling back $11B in Covid funding sent to health departments across the U.S.
“Now that the pandemic is over, the grants and cooperative agreements are no longer necessary," federal health authorities wrote to funding recipients this week.
www.nbcnews.com
March 25, 2025 at 8:27 PM
With $11 Billion being snatched from state and local public health - with absolutely zero notice - this will be "Black Tuesday" in the public health community.
But I fear this is only the beginning....
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
But I fear this is only the beginning....
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Ugh. It shouldn't surprise me that the Office of Readiness and Response's Board of Scientific Counselors is on the chopping block. But with increasing public health threats - H5N1, Measles, Dengue, and more - don't we WANT to have a robust team providing oversight and advice?
White House considers shutting down 9 CDC expert panels
Why would the federal government need such outside expertise on things like HIV, emergency preparedness, occupational health & safety, among things? Read all the many details here.
🛟📉🧪🧭😷 health policy lawsky sociology demography medsky idsky
Why would the federal government need such outside expertise on things like HIV, emergency preparedness, occupational health & safety, among things? Read all the many details here.
🛟📉🧪🧭😷 health policy lawsky sociology demography medsky idsky
White House considers shutting down 9 CDC expert panels
What could that potentially mean for our health?
drrubin.substack.com
March 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Ugh. It shouldn't surprise me that the Office of Readiness and Response's Board of Scientific Counselors is on the chopping block. But with increasing public health threats - H5N1, Measles, Dengue, and more - don't we WANT to have a robust team providing oversight and advice?
So, Google maps will show the “Gulf of America”….but my question is: what will The Weather Channel call it next hurricane season. That’s the real test, because we have seen the naming power of that organization! 😂
January 29, 2025 at 1:52 PM
So, Google maps will show the “Gulf of America”….but my question is: what will The Weather Channel call it next hurricane season. That’s the real test, because we have seen the naming power of that organization! 😂
Now I’m even more convinced than ever that the Super Bowl logo color conspiracy is a real thing: Red versus Green in Super Bowl LIX.
So, I guess it’s “go birds”??
So, I guess it’s “go birds”??
January 27, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Now I’m even more convinced than ever that the Super Bowl logo color conspiracy is a real thing: Red versus Green in Super Bowl LIX.
So, I guess it’s “go birds”??
So, I guess it’s “go birds”??
I didn’t have “Mitch McConnell is the voice of Republican reason” on my bingo card after this week…but good for him.
This one still has me raising my eyebrows. We will see how it goes.
This one still has me raising my eyebrows. We will see how it goes.
Breaking News: The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as defense secretary after Vice President JD Vance cast a tiebreaking vote.
Pete Hegseth Is Confirmed as Defense Secretary in Narrow Vote: Live Updates
Pete Hegseth has vowed to bring his “warrior” ethos to the Pentagon. Democrats had assailed him as unfit for the job, and his confirmation came down to Vice President JD Vance serving as tiebreaker.
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2025 at 3:15 AM
I didn’t have “Mitch McConnell is the voice of Republican reason” on my bingo card after this week…but good for him.
This one still has me raising my eyebrows. We will see how it goes.
This one still has me raising my eyebrows. We will see how it goes.
This is bad…just plain bad.
FEMA was created to support those states whose capability doesn’t meet the need. They fill the gaps…and believe me, there WILL be gaps. They also provide an essential coordination role at the federal level.
Is FEMA perfect? Not at all. But damn…this is bad.
FEMA was created to support those states whose capability doesn’t meet the need. They fill the gaps…and believe me, there WILL be gaps. They also provide an essential coordination role at the federal level.
Is FEMA perfect? Not at all. But damn…this is bad.
Trump: "We're looking at the whole concept of FEMA. I like, frankly, the concept when North Carolina gets hit, the governor takes care of it. When Florida gets hit, the governor takes care of it. Meaning the state takes care of it ... I'd like to see the states take care of disasters."
January 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
This is bad…just plain bad.
FEMA was created to support those states whose capability doesn’t meet the need. They fill the gaps…and believe me, there WILL be gaps. They also provide an essential coordination role at the federal level.
Is FEMA perfect? Not at all. But damn…this is bad.
FEMA was created to support those states whose capability doesn’t meet the need. They fill the gaps…and believe me, there WILL be gaps. They also provide an essential coordination role at the federal level.
Is FEMA perfect? Not at all. But damn…this is bad.
Well, with all of my meetings with federal partners over the next week being canceled, I’m finding a lot of free time on my calendar… 😳
January 24, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Well, with all of my meetings with federal partners over the next week being canceled, I’m finding a lot of free time on my calendar… 😳
Reposted by Andy Pickett
Now more than ever:
Global health needs champions
Science needs champions
Public health needs champions.
I will keep doing my part because it's the one thing I can control. Sharing fact-based information on science, health and global health threats.
Global health needs champions
Science needs champions
Public health needs champions.
I will keep doing my part because it's the one thing I can control. Sharing fact-based information on science, health and global health threats.
January 21, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Now more than ever:
Global health needs champions
Science needs champions
Public health needs champions.
I will keep doing my part because it's the one thing I can control. Sharing fact-based information on science, health and global health threats.
Global health needs champions
Science needs champions
Public health needs champions.
I will keep doing my part because it's the one thing I can control. Sharing fact-based information on science, health and global health threats.
I made it to Friday. Isn’t that enough of an accomplishment for the week? Do I actually have to “do” Friday, too?? That seems unfair.
January 17, 2025 at 11:43 AM
I made it to Friday. Isn’t that enough of an accomplishment for the week? Do I actually have to “do” Friday, too?? That seems unfair.
I saw this earlier and…I feel this…
December 23, 2024 at 4:25 PM
I saw this earlier and…I feel this…
So, “Free Speech for me, but not for thee” is the mantra of the new administration. Expected, but still eye roll worthy.
Breaking News: President-elect Trump sued The Des Moines Register for a poll that showed him trailing Kamala Harris in Iowa, escalating his threats of retribution.
Trump Sues The Des Moines Register, Escalating Threats Against the Media
President-elect Donald J. Trump has said he would use his power to punish people he claims have wronged him. Those goals are now coming into focus.
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2024 at 9:37 PM
So, “Free Speech for me, but not for thee” is the mantra of the new administration. Expected, but still eye roll worthy.
Data is data. Period. And the data says no. And it doesn’t matter what you “believe”….the data is the data. I don’t know why it’s so difficult for some people.
People did look at it. There's no connection.
REPORTER: Do you believe there's a connection between vaccines and autism?
TRUMP: You have some very brilliant people looking at it
TRUMP: You have some very brilliant people looking at it
December 16, 2024 at 5:02 PM
Data is data. Period. And the data says no. And it doesn’t matter what you “believe”….the data is the data. I don’t know why it’s so difficult for some people.