Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
@drjenkirby.bsky.social
Academic Endocrinologist- diabetes and obesity specialist.
Wife, mother, trail runner, bird-lover.
Swearing makes me feel better.
Joy & Gratitude.
Committed to equity in healthcare.
I will not let them steal my joy!
#MedSky #EndoSky
Aka @gu_girl
Wife, mother, trail runner, bird-lover.
Swearing makes me feel better.
Joy & Gratitude.
Committed to equity in healthcare.
I will not let them steal my joy!
#MedSky #EndoSky
Aka @gu_girl
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
for some context for this threadlet, Mitt Romney, who is rich (estimated net worth $235 million), spends $1.7 million/yr on personal security. Someone with some millions is very much a target, but can't afford to protect themselves like Romney can.
there are a lot of wealthy (not rich, but wealthy) people who really need to figure out that enabling this behavior puts them at risk for kidnapping for ransom. I don't think most of them have internalized where this sort of thing leads to.
Just some creepy armed Mad Max guys trying to gain entry to Dodgers Stadium.
ICE says it wasn’t them. DHS says they were Border Patrol. But honestly who the hell knows? They’ve given permission for any psycho to put on a ski mask, point a gun, grab people & throw them into an unmarked vehicle.
ICE says it wasn’t them. DHS says they were Border Patrol. But honestly who the hell knows? They’ve given permission for any psycho to put on a ski mask, point a gun, grab people & throw them into an unmarked vehicle.
June 21, 2025 at 2:20 PM
for some context for this threadlet, Mitt Romney, who is rich (estimated net worth $235 million), spends $1.7 million/yr on personal security. Someone with some millions is very much a target, but can't afford to protect themselves like Romney can.
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
This is a vital message: one of the larger reasons BlueSky is refreshingly free of alt-right shitlords is because in the early days we made a gentleperson’s agreement to starve these fuckos out and it worked. No likes, no quotes, no engagement. They got bored and left. Please keep the Old Ways.
June 18, 2025 at 11:17 PM
This is a vital message: one of the larger reasons BlueSky is refreshingly free of alt-right shitlords is because in the early days we made a gentleperson’s agreement to starve these fuckos out and it worked. No likes, no quotes, no engagement. They got bored and left. Please keep the Old Ways.
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
Things to do today in #Virginia:
1) Vote in the primary. (I voted early.)
2) Listen to any of Paradise Lost's first five albums. (n/p: "Icon")
3) Donate to a food bank/drive or make an appointment to donate blood if you're eligible. (Did the former Saturday, scheduling the latter.)
4) Watch results.
1) Vote in the primary. (I voted early.)
2) Listen to any of Paradise Lost's first five albums. (n/p: "Icon")
3) Donate to a food bank/drive or make an appointment to donate blood if you're eligible. (Did the former Saturday, scheduling the latter.)
4) Watch results.
June 17, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Things to do today in #Virginia:
1) Vote in the primary. (I voted early.)
2) Listen to any of Paradise Lost's first five albums. (n/p: "Icon")
3) Donate to a food bank/drive or make an appointment to donate blood if you're eligible. (Did the former Saturday, scheduling the latter.)
4) Watch results.
1) Vote in the primary. (I voted early.)
2) Listen to any of Paradise Lost's first five albums. (n/p: "Icon")
3) Donate to a food bank/drive or make an appointment to donate blood if you're eligible. (Did the former Saturday, scheduling the latter.)
4) Watch results.
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
Every machine in a Hospital that diagnoses your body without cutting you open is based on a principle of Physics, discovered by a Physicist who had no interest in Medicine.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
June 17, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Every machine in a Hospital that diagnoses your body without cutting you open is based on a principle of Physics, discovered by a Physicist who had no interest in Medicine.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
My sign today for the Charlottesville #NoKings protest. I couldn’t let the news about the ACIP go without comment.
Lots of older folks similar to the hands off protest from May. But I was glad to see more younger protesters this time!
Lots of older folks similar to the hands off protest from May. But I was glad to see more younger protesters this time!
June 14, 2025 at 9:52 PM
My sign today for the Charlottesville #NoKings protest. I couldn’t let the news about the ACIP go without comment.
Lots of older folks similar to the hands off protest from May. But I was glad to see more younger protesters this time!
Lots of older folks similar to the hands off protest from May. But I was glad to see more younger protesters this time!
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
It is 100% carrying water for the opposition to participate in this collective delusion that Dems for some reason need to answer for every teen who throws a rock rather than hold the Trump admin accountable for intentionally creating chaos and breaking the law to stoke violence.
They are in charge.
They are in charge.
June 11, 2025 at 12:44 AM
It is 100% carrying water for the opposition to participate in this collective delusion that Dems for some reason need to answer for every teen who throws a rock rather than hold the Trump admin accountable for intentionally creating chaos and breaking the law to stoke violence.
They are in charge.
They are in charge.
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
The Declaration of Independence specifies 27 grievances with King George III, and I count at least 15 of them that Donald Trump has also committed in whole or in part.
Particularly notable right now:
"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures."
Particularly notable right now:
"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures."
June 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
The Declaration of Independence specifies 27 grievances with King George III, and I count at least 15 of them that Donald Trump has also committed in whole or in part.
Particularly notable right now:
"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures."
Particularly notable right now:
"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures."
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
The world is tough right now bc a few selfish, intolerant folks are making it so. Buy a national parks pass to support national parks. Donate to a local election for someone who consistently stands up for truth. Support abortion providers, immigration lawyers, humanitarian work. Don't let evil win.
June 10, 2025 at 12:05 AM
The world is tough right now bc a few selfish, intolerant folks are making it so. Buy a national parks pass to support national parks. Donate to a local election for someone who consistently stands up for truth. Support abortion providers, immigration lawyers, humanitarian work. Don't let evil win.
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
RFK jr is the biggest conflict of interest around in the vaccine world 😡😡
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
RFK Jr. purges every vaccine adviser on CDC panel; will pick replacements
Kennedy said the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group of experts who recommend vaccines, has been "plagued with persistent conflicts of interest."
www.washingtonpost.com
June 10, 2025 at 12:04 AM
RFK jr is the biggest conflict of interest around in the vaccine world 😡😡
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
i understand the framing, which is about RFK jr lying to a senator to get senate approval
but RFK jr also lied to the american public
just completely unacceptable for a public official and senator bill cassidy is not the only one who should take action for being lied to
but RFK jr also lied to the american public
just completely unacceptable for a public official and senator bill cassidy is not the only one who should take action for being lied to
BREAKING: RFK Jr. fires ACIP, the panel responsible for advising on vaccines.
This breaks a promise to Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted to advance Kennedy as HHS secretary on the condition that he would, among other things, keep ACIP in place.
www.statnews.com/2025/06/09/r...
This breaks a promise to Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted to advance Kennedy as HHS secretary on the condition that he would, among other things, keep ACIP in place.
www.statnews.com/2025/06/09/r...
Health secretary RFK Jr. abruptly fires CDC vaccine advisory panel
Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken the extraordinary step of firing the expert panel that advises the CDC.
www.statnews.com
June 10, 2025 at 12:16 AM
i understand the framing, which is about RFK jr lying to a senator to get senate approval
but RFK jr also lied to the american public
just completely unacceptable for a public official and senator bill cassidy is not the only one who should take action for being lied to
but RFK jr also lied to the american public
just completely unacceptable for a public official and senator bill cassidy is not the only one who should take action for being lied to
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
If you're a Marine or other service member being mobilized to Los Angeles and you'd like to apply for conscientious objector status, call the GI Rights Hotline to get some guidance on your options:
1-877-447-4487
1-877-447-4487
June 9, 2025 at 9:08 PM
If you're a Marine or other service member being mobilized to Los Angeles and you'd like to apply for conscientious objector status, call the GI Rights Hotline to get some guidance on your options:
1-877-447-4487
1-877-447-4487
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
Fight the Empire.
June 9, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Fight the Empire.
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
NEW: I analyzed nearly 300 federal cases involving the Trump administration. Federal judges—across the political spectrum—are using language I’ve never seen before. One called government actions “unconscionable.” Another quoted Kafka. They’re begging us to pay attention.
Federal Judges Are Begging Us to Pay Attention
A Data-Driven Analysis of nearly 300 Federal Cases Reveals Judges Quoting Kafka and Warning of Democracy in Peril
open.substack.com
June 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
NEW: I analyzed nearly 300 federal cases involving the Trump administration. Federal judges—across the political spectrum—are using language I’ve never seen before. One called government actions “unconscionable.” Another quoted Kafka. They’re begging us to pay attention.
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
hey don't forget to turn off biometric access to your phone and if you did happen to forget, in an emergency, pressing the power button 5 times on your iphone will lock it & it can't be unlocked again without the passcode even if you were silly & left face ID on 🙂
June 8, 2025 at 10:20 PM
hey don't forget to turn off biometric access to your phone and if you did happen to forget, in an emergency, pressing the power button 5 times on your iphone will lock it & it can't be unlocked again without the passcode even if you were silly & left face ID on 🙂
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
This is absolutely terrible news.
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
Moderna withdraws application for COVID-flu combination vaccine
Moderna said on Wednesday it has withdrawn an application seeking approval for its flu and COVID combination vaccine candidate after discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
www.reuters.com
May 22, 2025 at 6:46 AM
This is absolutely terrible news.
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
A Review in Nature Reviews Immunology provides an overview of the current vaccines that are offered during pregnancy and to newborns, explaining the rationale behind the different vaccination programmes and the unique challenges that come with immunizing these populations. 🔒
Vaccination in pregnancy to protect the newborn - Nature Reviews Immunology
In this Review, Male and Jones provide an overview of the current vaccines that are offered during pregnancy and to newborns, explaining the rationale behind the different vaccination programmes and the unique challenges that come with immunizing these populations.
go.nature.com
May 18, 2025 at 1:50 PM
A Review in Nature Reviews Immunology provides an overview of the current vaccines that are offered during pregnancy and to newborns, explaining the rationale behind the different vaccination programmes and the unique challenges that come with immunizing these populations. 🔒
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
Remember when Republicans said that they just didn’t want “mandates” for COVID19 protections like masks and vaccines? They wanted a choice?
Well, now they are mandating in the other direction. They are busily making sure that masks and vaccines are banned or unavailable.
Well, now they are mandating in the other direction. They are busily making sure that masks and vaccines are banned or unavailable.
April 30, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Remember when Republicans said that they just didn’t want “mandates” for COVID19 protections like masks and vaccines? They wanted a choice?
Well, now they are mandating in the other direction. They are busily making sure that masks and vaccines are banned or unavailable.
Well, now they are mandating in the other direction. They are busily making sure that masks and vaccines are banned or unavailable.
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
So Canadian. Apologizing for calling someone an asshole.
Canadian Voter: I think who I voted for would be the best to take care of Trump, because Trump is, I’m sorry to say, an asshole.
April 29, 2025 at 2:47 AM
So Canadian. Apologizing for calling someone an asshole.
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
The DOJ just pulled the rug out from under our communities by terminating community violence intervention funds with zero warning. This isn’t a policy change — it’s political punishment. We demand accountability. #ProtectCVI #FundCVI #CommunitySafety
April 28, 2025 at 7:51 PM
The DOJ just pulled the rug out from under our communities by terminating community violence intervention funds with zero warning. This isn’t a policy change — it’s political punishment. We demand accountability. #ProtectCVI #FundCVI #CommunitySafety
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
NEW: Crowd now growing at the Capitol where Cory Booker and Hakeem Jeffries are staging a sit-in on the steps.
Is this building into something?
If you’re in DC, they’re encouraging folk to come down there & support.
#Resist
(📸 Sen. Brian Schatz)
Is this building into something?
If you’re in DC, they’re encouraging folk to come down there & support.
#Resist
(📸 Sen. Brian Schatz)
April 27, 2025 at 4:37 PM
NEW: Crowd now growing at the Capitol where Cory Booker and Hakeem Jeffries are staging a sit-in on the steps.
Is this building into something?
If you’re in DC, they’re encouraging folk to come down there & support.
#Resist
(📸 Sen. Brian Schatz)
Is this building into something?
If you’re in DC, they’re encouraging folk to come down there & support.
#Resist
(📸 Sen. Brian Schatz)
The best!! 👏👏👏
Special thank you to @yalesph.bsky.social @meganranney.bsky.social for your recognition today with the Winslow Medal and our efforts to develop vaccines for the world’s poorest people + countering a dangerous and rising tide of antivaccine activism both in the U.S. and globally
April 25, 2025 at 2:48 AM
The best!! 👏👏👏
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
What, and I repeat, the fuck?
I trust any source Jeremy trusts and will be taking his advice tonight.
I trust any source Jeremy trusts and will be taking his advice tonight.
ATTENTION: NSF GRANT RECIPIENTS
We received a heads up from a trusted source that you should proactively download/print/screen shot any documentation on research.gov pertaining to your NSF awards, both those that are current and any that have closed in the last 5-6 years.
1/n
We received a heads up from a trusted source that you should proactively download/print/screen shot any documentation on research.gov pertaining to your NSF awards, both those that are current and any that have closed in the last 5-6 years.
1/n
a cartoon of a man holding a frying pan and a spoon with red alert written above him
ALT: a cartoon of a man holding a frying pan and a spoon with red alert written above him
media.tenor.com
April 25, 2025 at 12:46 AM
What, and I repeat, the fuck?
I trust any source Jeremy trusts and will be taking his advice tonight.
I trust any source Jeremy trusts and will be taking his advice tonight.
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
Call your member of Congress today. 5calls.org/issue/nation...
Defend Scientific Progress and Protect the NIH (UPDATED 4/17) ⭑ 5 Calls
Update April 17, 2025: A leaked Office of Management and Budget proposal for HHS cuts includes dramatic cuts to NIH funding. The proposal would also …
5calls.org
April 24, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Call your member of Congress today. 5calls.org/issue/nation...
Reposted by Jen Kirby, MD,PhD (she/her)
ACTION ITEM-----ACTION ITEM
Implementation of Schedule F
This is what a lot of us have been worried about.
This allows for many civil service positions to replaced with political appointees. This could include NIH institute directors and even POs.
BUT THERE IS A COMMENT PERIOD...
1/n
Implementation of Schedule F
This is what a lot of us have been worried about.
This allows for many civil service positions to replaced with political appointees. This could include NIH institute directors and even POs.
BUT THERE IS A COMMENT PERIOD...
1/n
the word alert is in a purple circle
ALT: the word alert is in a purple circle
media.tenor.com
April 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
ACTION ITEM-----ACTION ITEM
Implementation of Schedule F
This is what a lot of us have been worried about.
This allows for many civil service positions to replaced with political appointees. This could include NIH institute directors and even POs.
BUT THERE IS A COMMENT PERIOD...
1/n
Implementation of Schedule F
This is what a lot of us have been worried about.
This allows for many civil service positions to replaced with political appointees. This could include NIH institute directors and even POs.
BUT THERE IS A COMMENT PERIOD...
1/n