Josh Levy
@josh-levy.bsky.social
Virus spread and evolution + connection to behavior.
@Scripps Research, CA.
@Scripps Research, CA.
Makes absolutely no sense to give up now. Why would you put people through this level of misery and uncertainty if you aren’t going to see it through? It’s a shameful and purposeless defeat if they do settle.
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
November 10, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Makes absolutely no sense to give up now. Why would you put people through this level of misery and uncertainty if you aren’t going to see it through? It’s a shameful and purposeless defeat if they do settle.
Reposted by Josh Levy
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
November 10, 2025 at 12:56 AM
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
Reposted by Josh Levy
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
November 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
Reposted by Josh Levy
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office - Instead of trying to depoliticize their field, a swell of scientists want to become politicians. Via @katherinejwu.com
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office
Instead of trying to depoliticize their field, a swell of scientists want to become politicians.
www.theatlantic.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:03 PM
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office - Instead of trying to depoliticize their field, a swell of scientists want to become politicians. Via @katherinejwu.com
Reposted by Josh Levy
Nextstrain's daily-updated tree of SARS-CoV-2 genomes was my gateway into the world of viral phylogenetics in early 2020, and Nextstrain's beautiful interactive tree display is crucial to making usher.bio results usable. GISAID cutting off data harms global surveillance efforts. 🧵👇
On Oct 1, 2025, GISAID informed us that they had ended updates to the flat file of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences and associated metadata that we had used to update Nextstrain analyses since Feb 2020. GISAID's stated rationale was that their "resources are limited". 1/5
November 7, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Nextstrain's daily-updated tree of SARS-CoV-2 genomes was my gateway into the world of viral phylogenetics in early 2020, and Nextstrain's beautiful interactive tree display is crucial to making usher.bio results usable. GISAID cutting off data harms global surveillance efforts. 🧵👇
Reposted by Josh Levy
🚨 NEW: The majority holder of the world's genetic sequence data is a bad actor who can cut off access to critics and competing services. We've tolerated this for years, and now it threatens the pandemic treaty. Time for WHO to step in. With @ctrlalttim.com: www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/to-f...
To Finish the Pandemic Agreement, WHO Needs a Trustworthy Viral Database | Think Global Health
Online platforms for sharing virus sequences are in disarray. The World Health Organization has a chance to build something new
www.thinkglobalhealth.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
🚨 NEW: The majority holder of the world's genetic sequence data is a bad actor who can cut off access to critics and competing services. We've tolerated this for years, and now it threatens the pandemic treaty. Time for WHO to step in. With @ctrlalttim.com: www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/to-f...
Reposted by Josh Levy
As reflected in the price of a dozen free range eggs being back to costing 10.99$
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Bird flu surges among poultry amid a scaled back federal response
Migrating wild birds are spreading the virus to domesticated flocks, increasing the risk of eventually seeing a human outbreak. Scientists are troubled by the muted federal response.
www.npr.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:21 PM
As reflected in the price of a dozen free range eggs being back to costing 10.99$
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Reposted by Josh Levy
Further proof that even under a judicial order, this current administration refuses to meet the basic needs of our most vulnerable citizens. It’s time for us to stand together and build the support our people deserve. More details coming soon.
November 4, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Further proof that even under a judicial order, this current administration refuses to meet the basic needs of our most vulnerable citizens. It’s time for us to stand together and build the support our people deserve. More details coming soon.
Reposted by Josh Levy
Among the many amazing things about Adams pleading his case here is that he openly supports and now is asking for help from… people who cancelled funding for cancer research.
November 2, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Among the many amazing things about Adams pleading his case here is that he openly supports and now is asking for help from… people who cancelled funding for cancer research.
Reposted by Josh Levy
“Furin cleavage site”, that is. Just casually, and naturally, sitting there in one of the most evolutionarily active parts of the genome.
Mystery solved.
Mystery solved.
CIDRAP: New coronavirus subspecies with SARS-CoV-2–like mutation discovered in Brazilian bat
by Mary Van Beusekom
@cidrap.bsky.social
bit.ly/4hHRfam
by Mary Van Beusekom
@cidrap.bsky.social
bit.ly/4hHRfam
November 1, 2025 at 6:15 PM
“Furin cleavage site”, that is. Just casually, and naturally, sitting there in one of the most evolutionarily active parts of the genome.
Mystery solved.
Mystery solved.
Reposted by Josh Levy
Well reported story on the PBS News Hour about science cuts and the ongoing and potential brain drain.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLvO...
Thanks to Terrance Tao and other scientists at various career stages for having the courage to speak out.
Watch and share!
1/7
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLvO...
Thanks to Terrance Tao and other scientists at various career stages for having the courage to speak out.
Watch and share!
1/7
Top researchers consider leaving U.S. amid funding cuts: 'The science world is ending'
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
www.youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Well reported story on the PBS News Hour about science cuts and the ongoing and potential brain drain.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLvO...
Thanks to Terrance Tao and other scientists at various career stages for having the courage to speak out.
Watch and share!
1/7
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLvO...
Thanks to Terrance Tao and other scientists at various career stages for having the courage to speak out.
Watch and share!
1/7
Reposted by Josh Levy
As expected, unfortunately.
If ever you needed a reason for never using GISAID ever again (as a data producer or data user - we're both), look no further.
Time to move on to more trusted and transparent solutions.
If ever you needed a reason for never using GISAID ever again (as a data producer or data user - we're both), look no further.
Time to move on to more trusted and transparent solutions.
October 31, 2025 at 1:41 AM
As expected, unfortunately.
If ever you needed a reason for never using GISAID ever again (as a data producer or data user - we're both), look no further.
Time to move on to more trusted and transparent solutions.
If ever you needed a reason for never using GISAID ever again (as a data producer or data user - we're both), look no further.
Time to move on to more trusted and transparent solutions.
Reposted by Josh Levy
For 61 years the #BBCWorldService has been broadcasting the latest in science via its weekly Science in Action programme. That dies in the next half hour, with this final edition, reflecting on the fall in trust in expertise driven by malign interests over recent years.
October 30, 2025 at 8:20 PM
For 61 years the #BBCWorldService has been broadcasting the latest in science via its weekly Science in Action programme. That dies in the next half hour, with this final edition, reflecting on the fall in trust in expertise driven by malign interests over recent years.
Reposted by Josh Levy
Americans are on the verge of losing their ability to choose their government. But they don't seem to have realized it yet.
Donald Trumps plan to subvert the midterms is underway
From David Graham, on the cover of the next edition of @theatlantic.com
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
From David Graham, on the cover of the next edition of @theatlantic.com
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
Donald Trump’s Plan to Subvert the Midterms Is Already Under Way
Our election system is reaching a breaking point.
www.theatlantic.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Americans are on the verge of losing their ability to choose their government. But they don't seem to have realized it yet.
Reposted by Josh Levy
It's long past time for state and federal authorities alike to put an end to Stephen Miller's jerkoff fantasy of masked thugs kidnapping people of color off the street with impunity.
Yes, there are Americans who want this. But they are a woefully small minority. Why are we still letting it happen?
Yes, there are Americans who want this. But they are a woefully small minority. Why are we still letting it happen?
A Naperville man was hauled away by federal immigration agents Thursday morning as his two sons watched, the older boy begging them not to hurt his father and tearfully asking for a chance to speak to him before they left.
As his two sons watch and cry, ‘Pa, te amo,’ federal agents arrest man outside of Naperville apartments
A Naperville man was hauled away by federal immigration agents Thursday as his two sons cried and begged for him not to be hurt.
trib.al
October 26, 2025 at 3:36 AM
It's long past time for state and federal authorities alike to put an end to Stephen Miller's jerkoff fantasy of masked thugs kidnapping people of color off the street with impunity.
Yes, there are Americans who want this. But they are a woefully small minority. Why are we still letting it happen?
Yes, there are Americans who want this. But they are a woefully small minority. Why are we still letting it happen?
Reposted by Josh Levy
Now out in @nejm.org :
Between 2023–2024: Sixteen human infections with A/H5N1 in Cambodia. Six deaths. Most in children. All exposed to sick or dead poultry.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Between 2023–2024: Sixteen human infections with A/H5N1 in Cambodia. Six deaths. Most in children. All exposed to sick or dead poultry.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Resurgence of Zoonotic Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Cambodia | NEJM
In this report from Cambodia, 16 human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza
A(H5N1) virus infection that occurred from February 2023 through August 2024 are described.
www.nejm.org
October 23, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Now out in @nejm.org :
Between 2023–2024: Sixteen human infections with A/H5N1 in Cambodia. Six deaths. Most in children. All exposed to sick or dead poultry.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Between 2023–2024: Sixteen human infections with A/H5N1 in Cambodia. Six deaths. Most in children. All exposed to sick or dead poultry.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Josh Levy
Reposted by Josh Levy
“CDC experts actively responding to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has killed 43 people were RIFed in the middle of their deployment.” rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
The Death of Public Health
Another Friday night massacre, but this time it's not just an essential federal public health agency that will die
rasmussenretorts.substack.com
October 11, 2025 at 9:18 PM
“CDC experts actively responding to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has killed 43 people were RIFed in the middle of their deployment.” rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
Reposted by Josh Levy
The Trump admin is in the midst of laying off 1,100-1,200 HHS staff. The CDC's outbreak responders, gone. The office producing CDC's weekly journal MMWR is gone. CDC staff securing sensitive data, gone. Worker safety, gone. Immunization group, gone.
Instead, Congress watches RFK "make the proof"
Instead, Congress watches RFK "make the proof"
RFK Jr on Tylenol and autism: "It is not proof. We're doing the studies to make the proof."
October 11, 2025 at 1:36 PM
The Trump admin is in the midst of laying off 1,100-1,200 HHS staff. The CDC's outbreak responders, gone. The office producing CDC's weekly journal MMWR is gone. CDC staff securing sensitive data, gone. Worker safety, gone. Immunization group, gone.
Instead, Congress watches RFK "make the proof"
Instead, Congress watches RFK "make the proof"
Reposted by Josh Levy
Thoughtful and well-informed op-ed from @ianlmorgan.bsky.social
Definitely worth a read!
www.the-scientist.com/nih-leadersh...
1/2
Definitely worth a read!
www.the-scientist.com/nih-leadersh...
1/2
NIH Leadership Is Failing Early Career Researchers
Halted training programs, funding chaos, and hiring freezes jeopardize advancement options for early career researchers.
www.the-scientist.com
October 10, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Thoughtful and well-informed op-ed from @ianlmorgan.bsky.social
Definitely worth a read!
www.the-scientist.com/nih-leadersh...
1/2
Definitely worth a read!
www.the-scientist.com/nih-leadersh...
1/2
Reposted by Josh Levy
Thank you @nytopinion.nytimes.com for publishing this rot. Marc Rowan has run hundreds of companies into the dust to extract profits from their failure and bankruptcies. Now he wants to do the same to American higher education. Do not believe a word this man says. 1/ www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/o...
Opinion | Trump’s ‘Compact’ With Universities Is Badly Needed
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Thank you @nytopinion.nytimes.com for publishing this rot. Marc Rowan has run hundreds of companies into the dust to extract profits from their failure and bankruptcies. Now he wants to do the same to American higher education. Do not believe a word this man says. 1/ www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/o...
Reposted by Josh Levy
Democrats’ funding proposal would restore access to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act marketplace for legal immigrants who will lose access once certain provisions of the Republicans’ tax and spending law take effect. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
GOP Falsely Ties Shutdown to Democrats’ Alleged Drive To Give All Immigrants Health Care - KFF Health News
Immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status are generally ineligible for federally funded health care programs. Democrats’ funding proposal would restore access to Medicaid and the Affordable C...
kffhealthnews.org
October 6, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Democrats’ funding proposal would restore access to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act marketplace for legal immigrants who will lose access once certain provisions of the Republicans’ tax and spending law take effect. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Josh Levy
I’m 100% sure that’s actually not the question to be asking
As President Trump ramps up efforts to send federal officers and troops into cities, criminologists are watching closely. Are the feds doing this in a smart way?
National Guard presence may deter crime, but experts warn of the long-term costs
As President Trump ramps up efforts to send federal officers and troops into cities, criminologists are watching closely. Are the feds doing this in a smart way?
n.pr
October 3, 2025 at 3:31 AM
I’m 100% sure that’s actually not the question to be asking
Reposted by Josh Levy
Come spend the midnight hour with @saveaidsresearch.bsky.social. We have some great presentations from Africa and Asia, as we head into the second half of our 24 hour livestream to Save AIDS Research! saveaidsresearch.org.
September 17, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Come spend the midnight hour with @saveaidsresearch.bsky.social. We have some great presentations from Africa and Asia, as we head into the second half of our 24 hour livestream to Save AIDS Research! saveaidsresearch.org.
Reposted by Josh Levy
“… just days after a gunman sprayed over 500 bullets across the CDC campus, the government fired over 150 violence and injury prevention specialists”
Amid deadly shootings, CDC has fired experts and closed prevention offices. Expert calls it a 'cruel irony' – gun violence grows as prevention efforts fade
www.statnews.com/2025/09/12/g...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/12/g...
As U.S. faces deadly week, gun violence experts lament end of prevention research
Amid deadly shootings, CDC has fired experts and shut down research on preventing gun violence. Expert calls it a "cruel irony."
www.statnews.com
September 12, 2025 at 10:49 PM
“… just days after a gunman sprayed over 500 bullets across the CDC campus, the government fired over 150 violence and injury prevention specialists”