Antigenic Drifting
@antigenic-drift.bsky.social
Infectious disease epidemiologist with a focus on influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory pathogens. Interested in viral evolution, social commentary, politics, anthropology, science fiction. All opinions are my own. #GetVaccinated #EpiSky
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
A probability matrix is not conscious. For fucks sake.
November 25, 2025 at 8:58 PM
A probability matrix is not conscious. For fucks sake.
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
SARS-CoV-2 is not “airborne HIV” and I will not permit this narrative on my feed.
It’s an irresponsible and harmful claim made by people who understand nothing about viruses.
It’s an irresponsible and harmful claim made by people who understand nothing about viruses.
November 25, 2025 at 6:41 PM
SARS-CoV-2 is not “airborne HIV” and I will not permit this narrative on my feed.
It’s an irresponsible and harmful claim made by people who understand nothing about viruses.
It’s an irresponsible and harmful claim made by people who understand nothing about viruses.
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
<you, smart> the virus must be perfectly adapted to cause a pandemic
<evolution, dumb> eh, good enough
<evolution, dumb> eh, good enough
"SARS-CoV-2 is too well-adapted to humans [hence, insert your favorite conspiracy theory]".
That was never right because, for one, SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic virus so it necessarily had to be "well-adapted".
Now, a new study shows the same is true for BANAL-236 - a related virus isolated from bats.
That was never right because, for one, SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic virus so it necessarily had to be "well-adapted".
Now, a new study shows the same is true for BANAL-236 - a related virus isolated from bats.
November 10, 2025 at 10:37 PM
<you, smart> the virus must be perfectly adapted to cause a pandemic
<evolution, dumb> eh, good enough
<evolution, dumb> eh, good enough
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
"While the CDC website lists 12 active workgroups ...an HHS spokesperson did not directly answer questions from MedPage Today about whether those workgroups remain active or have meetings scheduled."
More about ACIP here #MedSky via @medpagetoday.com.
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
More about ACIP here #MedSky via @medpagetoday.com.
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
CDC Vaccine Panel Workgroups Question Their Fate
Many expert panels shaping vaccine policy haven't met in months, leaving members in the dark
www.medpagetoday.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:41 PM
"While the CDC website lists 12 active workgroups ...an HHS spokesperson did not directly answer questions from MedPage Today about whether those workgroups remain active or have meetings scheduled."
More about ACIP here #MedSky via @medpagetoday.com.
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
More about ACIP here #MedSky via @medpagetoday.com.
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
"Viruses don’t take vacations. The longest government shutdown ever puts everyone’s health at greater risk because the data and reports that are essential for monitoring the spread of diseases haven’t been updated for weeks." — me in @huffpost.com
Experts Warn The Government Shutdown Is Affecting You In A Major, Unexpected Way
This lapse is leaving doctors and the public dangerously in the dark.
www.huffpost.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:44 PM
"Viruses don’t take vacations. The longest government shutdown ever puts everyone’s health at greater risk because the data and reports that are essential for monitoring the spread of diseases haven’t been updated for weeks." — me in @huffpost.com
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
I am so tired of hearing the opinions on the origins of COVID-19 from people who have literally no germane expertise to opine on it. The authors claim not to have a strong opinion. Fine, but it’s clear that they favor lab leak over spillover and their focus on lab leakers as the real victims…
October 21, 2025 at 11:20 PM
I am so tired of hearing the opinions on the origins of COVID-19 from people who have literally no germane expertise to opine on it. The authors claim not to have a strong opinion. Fine, but it’s clear that they favor lab leak over spillover and their focus on lab leakers as the real victims…
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
The real generational divide is people who refuse to watch a video if it could be an article versus people who refuse to read an article if it could be a video
September 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The real generational divide is people who refuse to watch a video if it could be an article versus people who refuse to read an article if it could be a video
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
EXCLUSIVE: A summary of possible CDC funding based on the President’s Budget, the House markup, and the Senate markup.
Red: programs Trump wants entirely slashed.
Yellow: programs Trump requested substantial cuts.
Blue: flat or increased funding.
What does all this mean? 🧵
Red: programs Trump wants entirely slashed.
Yellow: programs Trump requested substantial cuts.
Blue: flat or increased funding.
What does all this mean? 🧵
September 17, 2025 at 9:03 PM
EXCLUSIVE: A summary of possible CDC funding based on the President’s Budget, the House markup, and the Senate markup.
Red: programs Trump wants entirely slashed.
Yellow: programs Trump requested substantial cuts.
Blue: flat or increased funding.
What does all this mean? 🧵
Red: programs Trump wants entirely slashed.
Yellow: programs Trump requested substantial cuts.
Blue: flat or increased funding.
What does all this mean? 🧵
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
#BREAKING: Judge Breyer has held that the Trump admin. *violated* the Posse Comitatus Act in its military deployments in and around Los Angeles, and has enjoined further use of those troops for law enforcement tasks. The order is stayed through 12 PDT on 9/12:
georgetown.app.box.com/file/1973361...
georgetown.app.box.com/file/1973361...
September 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
#BREAKING: Judge Breyer has held that the Trump admin. *violated* the Posse Comitatus Act in its military deployments in and around Los Angeles, and has enjoined further use of those troops for law enforcement tasks. The order is stayed through 12 PDT on 9/12:
georgetown.app.box.com/file/1973361...
georgetown.app.box.com/file/1973361...
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
When a top CDC scientist resigns citing eugenicist rhetoric from federal health agencies, everyone should absolutely be paying attention.
August 28, 2025 at 4:45 PM
When a top CDC scientist resigns citing eugenicist rhetoric from federal health agencies, everyone should absolutely be paying attention.
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
There are no shortcuts in this life. Destroy all the robots.
Now we have a name for an increasingly common phenomenon for people who rely on AI: “deskilling”
Now we have a name for an increasingly common phenomenon for people who rely on AI: “deskilling”
August 28, 2025 at 6:07 PM
There are no shortcuts in this life. Destroy all the robots.
Now we have a name for an increasingly common phenomenon for people who rely on AI: “deskilling”
Now we have a name for an increasingly common phenomenon for people who rely on AI: “deskilling”
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
Massive walkout underway at CDC.
RFK jr. must resign so that we can be safe.
RFK jr. must resign so that we can be safe.
August 28, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Massive walkout underway at CDC.
RFK jr. must resign so that we can be safe.
RFK jr. must resign so that we can be safe.
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
There is a massive walk out at the CDC by staff unfolding right now. It is NECESSARY. I stand in solidarity with my CDC colleagues. standing up for science and public health. It is a moral imperative.
August 28, 2025 at 7:11 PM
There is a massive walk out at the CDC by staff unfolding right now. It is NECESSARY. I stand in solidarity with my CDC colleagues. standing up for science and public health. It is a moral imperative.
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
IDSA calls on insurers to cover COVID vaccines consistent with medical recommendations and evidence, and urges Congress to conduct strong oversight of the Administration’s decision restricting Americans’ freedom to choose vaccination.
Our statement: https://bit.ly/3JBFPb6
Our statement: https://bit.ly/3JBFPb6
August 27, 2025 at 7:35 PM
IDSA calls on insurers to cover COVID vaccines consistent with medical recommendations and evidence, and urges Congress to conduct strong oversight of the Administration’s decision restricting Americans’ freedom to choose vaccination.
Our statement: https://bit.ly/3JBFPb6
Our statement: https://bit.ly/3JBFPb6
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
No, you're not ineligible for the vaccine. Let me introduce you to the concept of lying.
August 27, 2025 at 6:46 PM
No, you're not ineligible for the vaccine. Let me introduce you to the concept of lying.
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
That COVID spike relative to other countries is especially insane. We produced the most effective vaccines in massive numbers and then let ourselves get into a ridiculous fight about whether to use them
Super interesting deep dive into US excess mortality. We're doing better than we were in 1980 but a *lot* worse than every other high-income country.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
August 21, 2025 at 8:51 PM
That COVID spike relative to other countries is especially insane. We produced the most effective vaccines in massive numbers and then let ourselves get into a ridiculous fight about whether to use them
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
After hearing stories of breast cancer surviviors panicked by recent headlines, I decided to revisit my take on the recent “COVID rekindling dormant cancer” paper. After reflection, I was too generous in calling the human results even “suggestive.”
jenndowd.substack.com/p/covid-and-...
jenndowd.substack.com/p/covid-and-...
COVID and cancer "reawakening" redux
Don't panic...it really was just IN MICE
jenndowd.substack.com
August 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
After hearing stories of breast cancer surviviors panicked by recent headlines, I decided to revisit my take on the recent “COVID rekindling dormant cancer” paper. After reflection, I was too generous in calling the human results even “suggestive.”
jenndowd.substack.com/p/covid-and-...
jenndowd.substack.com/p/covid-and-...
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
The administration is taking money from research and public health that protects Americans, and instead is spending it on using the military to enact violence against Americans and suppress our Constitutional rights.
If the former doesn’t bother you, the latter sure as hell should.
If the former doesn’t bother you, the latter sure as hell should.
[💯unnecessary] "troops in LA to cost Americans at least $134m".
Recently, all of NIH's "CREID" Centers were cut because they were deemed "unsafe".
Those centers would have helped pandemic-proof the US for five+ years. For <$100M.
But, sure, send in the troops.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Recently, all of NIH's "CREID" Centers were cut because they were deemed "unsafe".
Those centers would have helped pandemic-proof the US for five+ years. For <$100M.
But, sure, send in the troops.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump’s mobilization of troops in LA to cost Americans at least $134m, Hegseth says
US defense secretary defends president’s decision to dispatch 2,700 military personnel due to Ice protests
www.theguardian.com
June 20, 2025 at 4:27 PM
The administration is taking money from research and public health that protects Americans, and instead is spending it on using the military to enact violence against Americans and suppress our Constitutional rights.
If the former doesn’t bother you, the latter sure as hell should.
If the former doesn’t bother you, the latter sure as hell should.
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
Commentary: Study finds removing school mask mandates contributed to 22,000 U.S. COVID deaths in a year www.latimes.com/business/sto...
Commentary: Study finds removing school mask mandates contributed to 22,000 U.S. COVID deaths in a year
Critics of anti-pandemic measures prompted schools to end mask mandates, but doing so exposed millions to COVID infection, contributing to nearly 22,000 deaths.
www.latimes.com
June 5, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Commentary: Study finds removing school mask mandates contributed to 22,000 U.S. COVID deaths in a year www.latimes.com/business/sto...
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
As another professor of Holocaust and genocide studies, Raz Segal, put it: “Can I name someone whose work I respect who doesn’t think it’s genocide? No.
Opinion | A genocide is happening in Gaza. We should say so.
We can no longer hide the uncomfortable truths of Israel’s destruction of Gaza.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
As another professor of Holocaust and genocide studies, Raz Segal, put it: “Can I name someone whose work I respect who doesn’t think it’s genocide? No.
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
BREAKING: In a serious blow to US pandemic flu preparedness, HHS has cancelled a contract with Moderna to test and license prototype vaccines for #H5N1 #birdflu and other potential pandemic viruses.
In a pandemic, mRNA is the fastest way to vaccine doses. www.statnews.com/2025/05/28/m...
In a pandemic, mRNA is the fastest way to vaccine doses. www.statnews.com/2025/05/28/m...
HHS cancels nearly $600 million Moderna contract on vaccines for flu pandemics
HHS has notified Moderna that it is canceling a nearly $600 million contract for vaccines for flu strains that could trigger future pandemics.
www.statnews.com
May 28, 2025 at 10:02 PM
BREAKING: In a serious blow to US pandemic flu preparedness, HHS has cancelled a contract with Moderna to test and license prototype vaccines for #H5N1 #birdflu and other potential pandemic viruses.
In a pandemic, mRNA is the fastest way to vaccine doses. www.statnews.com/2025/05/28/m...
In a pandemic, mRNA is the fastest way to vaccine doses. www.statnews.com/2025/05/28/m...
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
Aside from the fact that anyone can get seriously ill from COVID, a key point they are deliberately hiding when removing access is that COVID vaccines reduce transmission. People choose to get vaccinated to protect other people. It is wrong and harmful to take that choice away.
May 27, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Aside from the fact that anyone can get seriously ill from COVID, a key point they are deliberately hiding when removing access is that COVID vaccines reduce transmission. People choose to get vaccinated to protect other people. It is wrong and harmful to take that choice away.
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
the big lesson i've learned since the virus emerged is that economists are typically dumb as shit about epidemiology and public health.
May 24, 2025 at 4:47 PM
the big lesson i've learned since the virus emerged is that economists are typically dumb as shit about epidemiology and public health.
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
This is a great thread response to HIV/AIDS denialism (which our Health Secretary also engages in) in 2025 that is somehow being used to bolster the baseless “lab leak” theory.
If you don’t “believe” HIV is the cause of AIDS you are a) stupid, b) a liar, or c) a very stupid liar.
If you don’t “believe” HIV is the cause of AIDS you are a) stupid, b) a liar, or c) a very stupid liar.
I subscribe to the @newyorker.com, I was part of ACT UP, I knew Larry Kramer well and know Tony Fauci too. Daniel Immerwahr's piece on RFKJr, features this and other passages that need a reponse. 1/
May 26, 2025 at 10:45 AM
This is a great thread response to HIV/AIDS denialism (which our Health Secretary also engages in) in 2025 that is somehow being used to bolster the baseless “lab leak” theory.
If you don’t “believe” HIV is the cause of AIDS you are a) stupid, b) a liar, or c) a very stupid liar.
If you don’t “believe” HIV is the cause of AIDS you are a) stupid, b) a liar, or c) a very stupid liar.
Reposted by Antigenic Drifting
Floored that the New Yorker would ever publish such an undeserving paean. Thanks @gregggonsalves.bsky.social for discussing it. RFK Jr as a persecuted heretic is overt propaganda. Invoking a revisionist history of the pandemic and HIV/AIDS denial in pursuit of that is all the more disgraceful.
I subscribe to the @newyorker.com, I was part of ACT UP, I knew Larry Kramer well and know Tony Fauci too. Daniel Immerwahr's piece on RFKJr, features this and other passages that need a reponse. 1/
May 26, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Floored that the New Yorker would ever publish such an undeserving paean. Thanks @gregggonsalves.bsky.social for discussing it. RFK Jr as a persecuted heretic is overt propaganda. Invoking a revisionist history of the pandemic and HIV/AIDS denial in pursuit of that is all the more disgraceful.