Ferric Fang, MD
@fangferric.bsky.social
Physician-scientist, microbiologist, infectious diseases specialist, medical school professor. Opinions expressed are my own.
Reagan also said, "Americans don't go around carrying guns with the idea they're using them to influence other Americans."
November 6, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Reagan also said, "Americans don't go around carrying guns with the idea they're using them to influence other Americans."
Our three branches of government
November 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Our three branches of government
The "most critical element" of job performance at HHS is now loyalty to Trump's policies.
www.huffpost.com/entry/hhs-em...
www.huffpost.com/entry/hhs-em...
October 29, 2025 at 2:26 PM
The "most critical element" of job performance at HHS is now loyalty to Trump's policies.
www.huffpost.com/entry/hhs-em...
www.huffpost.com/entry/hhs-em...
A review of 12 studies found that 95% of people have abnormal results by whole body MRI but only 1.1% had histologically-proven cancer.
October 22, 2025 at 9:35 AM
A review of 12 studies found that 95% of people have abnormal results by whole body MRI but only 1.1% had histologically-proven cancer.
Might need to turn the thermostat up soon?
October 17, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Might need to turn the thermostat up soon?
Did he fall— or was he pushed?
October 16, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Did he fall— or was he pushed?
Sure, but that is not what is driving resistance in low and middle income countries, which are becoming hot spots for the emergence of new resistant strains. Also, more antibiotics are consumed by livestock than by humans, and this practice is rapidly increasing in low and middle income countries.
October 15, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Sure, but that is not what is driving resistance in low and middle income countries, which are becoming hot spots for the emergence of new resistant strains. Also, more antibiotics are consumed by livestock than by humans, and this practice is rapidly increasing in low and middle income countries.
The US survey also showed that two-thirds of MDs support a national health plan. That doesn’t seem so conservative. Political contributions from MDs strongly favored Biden/Harris over Trump.
October 13, 2025 at 12:17 AM
The US survey also showed that two-thirds of MDs support a national health plan. That doesn’t seem so conservative. Political contributions from MDs strongly favored Biden/Harris over Trump.
Could have been worse
October 12, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Could have been worse
Only 11% of the public "strongly approve" of the job RFK Jr is doing. That's just 25% of Republicans and 1% of Democrats. LOL.
October 9, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Only 11% of the public "strongly approve" of the job RFK Jr is doing. That's just 25% of Republicans and 1% of Democrats. LOL.
Well that's just not true
October 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Well that's just not true
However, vaccines have had a substantial impact on reducing the incidence of many infectious diseases and have dramatically reduced mortality for specific infections. For example, vaccines account for 40% of the global decline in infant mortality since 1974 (Shattock, Lancet 2024).
September 30, 2025 at 2:53 PM
However, vaccines have had a substantial impact on reducing the incidence of many infectious diseases and have dramatically reduced mortality for specific infections. For example, vaccines account for 40% of the global decline in infant mortality since 1974 (Shattock, Lancet 2024).
Yes, but it depends on what vaccine you are talking about.
September 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Yes, but it depends on what vaccine you are talking about.
I moved to Seattle in 2001. The Mariners won the AL West and a record 116 games in the regular season. They finally won the AL West again tonight. It was worth the wait!
September 25, 2025 at 4:26 AM
I moved to Seattle in 2001. The Mariners won the AL West and a record 116 games in the regular season. They finally won the AL West again tonight. It was worth the wait!
Agree. The politicization of public agencies has made them objectively less reliable, hence falling confidence among Democrats. And RFK Jr's takeover of the vaccine approval process is extremely unpopular because both Republicans and Democrats support childhood vaccines (e.g., MMR, polio).
September 24, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Agree. The politicization of public agencies has made them objectively less reliable, hence falling confidence among Democrats. And RFK Jr's takeover of the vaccine approval process is extremely unpopular because both Republicans and Democrats support childhood vaccines (e.g., MMR, polio).
Support for flu and COVID vaccines is more divided along partisan lines.
September 24, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Support for flu and COVID vaccines is more divided along partisan lines.
A July-August poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation & Washington Post found that 81% of parents support school mandates for measles and polio vaccines, with strong support even among Republicans and MAGA Republicans.
September 24, 2025 at 3:51 AM
A July-August poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation & Washington Post found that 81% of parents support school mandates for measles and polio vaccines, with strong support even among Republicans and MAGA Republicans.
"This is how we rebuild trust in public health."
How that's going--
How that's going--
September 23, 2025 at 6:06 PM
"This is how we rebuild trust in public health."
How that's going--
How that's going--
A breathtaking display of arrogance and ignorance.
Here are correlate of protection data for COVID vaccines period, full stop. From Gilbert et al. New Engl J Med, December 10, 2022.
"Neutralizing antibodies are the current CoP for vaccine efficacy."
2/2
Here are correlate of protection data for COVID vaccines period, full stop. From Gilbert et al. New Engl J Med, December 10, 2022.
"Neutralizing antibodies are the current CoP for vaccine efficacy."
2/2
September 20, 2025 at 5:06 AM
A breathtaking display of arrogance and ignorance.
Here are correlate of protection data for COVID vaccines period, full stop. From Gilbert et al. New Engl J Med, December 10, 2022.
"Neutralizing antibodies are the current CoP for vaccine efficacy."
2/2
Here are correlate of protection data for COVID vaccines period, full stop. From Gilbert et al. New Engl J Med, December 10, 2022.
"Neutralizing antibodies are the current CoP for vaccine efficacy."
2/2
If the WH will insist that reporters quote scientists who donated to the Republican party, it is going to be tough to find sources. Less than 10% of donations from scientists have gone to Republicans in recent years (Kaurov. Hum Soc Sci Comm, 2022). You could say the lack of support is mutual.
September 19, 2025 at 5:13 PM
If the WH will insist that reporters quote scientists who donated to the Republican party, it is going to be tough to find sources. Less than 10% of donations from scientists have gone to Republicans in recent years (Kaurov. Hum Soc Sci Comm, 2022). You could say the lack of support is mutual.
Anna Hulkow wonders whether her kids are better off just getting a disease like chicken pox. “I don’t think my kids are worse off to get it firsthand than they are to get it through the vaccinations,” she said.
The varicella vaccine prevents over 10,000 hospitalizations and 100 deaths each year.
The varicella vaccine prevents over 10,000 hospitalizations and 100 deaths each year.
September 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Anna Hulkow wonders whether her kids are better off just getting a disease like chicken pox. “I don’t think my kids are worse off to get it firsthand than they are to get it through the vaccinations,” she said.
The varicella vaccine prevents over 10,000 hospitalizations and 100 deaths each year.
The varicella vaccine prevents over 10,000 hospitalizations and 100 deaths each year.
It's not just Louisiana. Pertussis (whooping cough) has surged globally since the pandemic ended. The infection can be spread by asymptomatic immune individuals, so it's critically important for everyone to be vaccinated, especially babies and pregnant women. Most kids get pertussis from adults.
September 13, 2025 at 3:01 AM
It's not just Louisiana. Pertussis (whooping cough) has surged globally since the pandemic ended. The infection can be spread by asymptomatic immune individuals, so it's critically important for everyone to be vaccinated, especially babies and pregnant women. Most kids get pertussis from adults.
As I recall, public opinion was good for a few months. After that, it depends on who you were talking to.
September 10, 2025 at 12:25 AM
As I recall, public opinion was good for a few months. After that, it depends on who you were talking to.