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rx-to-read.bsky.social
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@rx-to-read.bsky.social
940 followers 950 following 250 posts
medpeds faculty; former eis; primary care and inpt; community medicine.

❤️reading, public health, health equity, social justice, MedEd, activism, outdoors, cats, my kids

Always sleep deprived d/t books, over caffeinated, and filled w existential dread
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donmoyn.bsky.social
Full resignation letter from Demetre C. Daskalakis, a CDC leader, does not hold back.
"The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud."
My resignation letter from CDC. Dear Dr. Houry, I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business. I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested. This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough. While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people. This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles. The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people. The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership. This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors. Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people. It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC. The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense. Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function. Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC. Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults. Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc. I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again. I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season. Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.” We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary. I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us. Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources. At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him. To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information. The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer. I believe in nutrition and exercise. I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability. Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun. The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud. I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur. I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed. For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics. I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision. Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically. Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution. If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.
August 28, 2025 at 1:01 AM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Welp; today was not great news in the public health world.
-new recs for covid vax very narrow
-Dr. Susan Monarez fired (told to resign, refused, fired) reportedly because she held the line on vaccines
-at least 4 center directors resign because of this

It’s like a chain of very very bad dominos.
August 28, 2025 at 4:17 AM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Love to see the #ACP standing up for what is right -
a)recognizing that there was a shooting at the #CDC 
b) connecting it to anti vax rhetoric
c) calling for stronger gun laws

www.acponline.org/acp-newsroom...
Internal Medicine Physicians Saddened by Shooting Outside of CDC Headquarters | ACP Online
Statement attributable to:Jason M. Goldman, MD, MACP President, American College of Physicians WASHINGTON August 11, 2025— The American College of Physicians is deeply saddened by the shooting that oc...
www.acponline.org
August 12, 2025 at 1:38 AM
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bedsidemednu.bsky.social
The Northwestern Center for Bedside Medicine is proud to host the First Annual Conference in Bedside Medicine in Chicago, Nov 14-15, 2025. Join international experts including Abraham Verghese & Andrew Elder to hone your bedside clinical & teaching skills. buff.ly/rilgaYS
August 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM
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princess-vimentin.bsky.social
Yet another study (Danish) has found no association between aluminum in childhood vaccines & 50 different health conditions, including autism, asthma & autoimmune diseases. In this study, they tracked 1 million kids over 21 years.

🧪🔗 en.ssi.dk/news/news/20...
Large Danish Study: No link between vaccines and autism or 49 other health conditions
A new Danish study finds no association between aluminum in childhood vaccines and 50 different health conditions, including autism, asthma, and autoimmune diseases. The findings reaffirm the safety o...
en.ssi.dk
July 28, 2025 at 10:29 PM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Vaccine schedules. Never before have i felt the need to save archived copies or source from anywhere other than the acip.

Feel like im living in a dystopian end of times novel.
ameracadpeds.bsky.social The American Academy of Pediatrics @ameracadpeds.bsky.social · Jul 22
In child development, timing matters when it comes to immunization. Just like kids have developmental stages, their immune systems have stages, too, and vaccines work best when their bodies are ready to respond.

Learn more.
www.healthychildren.org/English/safe...
July 23, 2025 at 1:35 AM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Wild thread. I actually love prescribing SSRIs. No one comes to me 2 months after i give them an antihypertensive and is like wow, I feel better! (Actually they’re more likely to complain of side effects and stop taking it). But with SSRIs, people feel loads better and go back to being themselves.
drjengunter.bsky.social Dr. Jen Gunter @drjengunter.bsky.social · Jul 21
Holy shit the FDA panel on antidpressants seems wild to me. I am not an expert, but apparently depression is a useless term and that is preventing us from feeling emotional distress. We should experience everything as a signal and learn to pay attention to it.
July 21, 2025 at 8:15 PM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Really important article! Pls read
July 17, 2025 at 11:52 PM
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urbanviewradio.bsky.social
Group of California farm workers announce 3-day strike, call for end of ICE raids

@luriedanielfavors.bsky.social #LDFShow

www.cbsnews.com/video/califo...
Group of California farm workers announce 3-day strike, call for end of ICE raids
A group of about 50 undocumented Los Angeles farm workers have announced a three-day strike, calling for an end to ICE raids and deportations. CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul reports.
www.cbsnews.com
July 15, 2025 at 2:09 PM
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mirandayaver.bsky.social
Some very good signs at the anti-Trump protest in Pittsburgh.
July 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Want to join me for this No Kings event?

www.mobilize.us/indivisible/...
One Million Rising: Strategic Non-Cooperation to Fight Authoritarianism · Indivisible
Across the country, authoritarian forces are getting bolder and more dangerous. Trump and his allies are not hiding their agenda: mass deportations, rollbacks of civil rights, weaponized courts, and f...
www.mobilize.us
July 15, 2025 at 11:22 AM
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thetnholler.bsky.social
Tear-gassing farm workers. Trump’s America. 😕🇺🇸
July 10, 2025 at 10:22 PM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Unethical. Immoral.

Shows advance compliance doomed to failure. We must stand up for our patients and ourselves!

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/h...
Justice Dept. Demands Patient Details From Trans Medicine Providers
www.nytimes.com
July 11, 2025 at 3:59 AM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
The government making it more difficult for immigrants to access medical care, preschool, and more.

www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
US health department widens immigrant benefit restrictions
The move is part of Trump's wide immigration crackdown.
www.reuters.com
July 11, 2025 at 3:57 AM
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realclaudetaylor.bsky.social
Billboards up now. Chip in if able. maddogpac.com/products/qui...
July 4, 2025 at 9:11 PM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Great graphics about what the proposed budget means to CDC

www.cdcdataproject.org
The CDC Data Project
In the proposed FY26 budget, programs that help Americans live safer, healthier, longer lives are on the chopping block.
www.cdcdataproject.org
June 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Not only did RFK jr abolish the entire ACIP (group recommends what vaccines we should and can get in the US; = what is paid for by insurance)

Not only did he replace it with anti vac anti science peeps

Theyre going to re-vote on things approved last year, like the rsv vaccine
June 13, 2025 at 12:19 PM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Check out www.nokings.org to find a rally near you! And be safe this weekend!
No Kings
On June 14—Flag Day—Donald Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn’t staged in Washington. ...
www.nokings.org
June 13, 2025 at 12:07 PM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Will continue posting and amplifying local events… but find your local no kings event and don’t watch you know who.

Check out www.nokings.org for your local place!
June 12, 2025 at 2:14 AM
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carrieamcdphd.bsky.social
Trump is attacking the universities that have revitalized Pittsburgh. After the No Kings rallies on June 14, during Trump's military parade, come join us on the Mellon Institute steps to learn more and to fight back.
Vigil for Academic Freedom and Scientific Excellence · Mobilize
Pittsburgh is a meds and eds town; our universities and hospitals help our cite thrive. As Trump's costly birthday parade makes its way through D.C., we will gather on the steps of the Mellon Institut...
www.mobilize.us
June 7, 2025 at 9:35 PM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
You may not think the nih or cdc cuts affect you (they do).
Weather forecasting affects us all.

Gutting science and federal agencies is shortsighted and kills americans.
blasphemousjones.bsky.social Blasphemous Jones @blasphemousjones.bsky.social · Jun 3
"South Florida weatherman tells viewers he can't accurately predict hurricanes because of government cuts"

Source:
old.reddit.com/r/PublicFrea...
June 3, 2025 at 11:44 PM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Also call about the budget reconciliation - dont let them cut medicaid!!
May 21, 2025 at 1:58 PM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
Want to comment on the planned restriction of covid vaccines? Aka no vaccines for kids or adults without a qualifying condition. New trials
Required. Comment by the 23rd here:
www.regulations.gov/document/FDA...
Regulations.gov
www.regulations.gov
May 21, 2025 at 10:47 AM
rx-to-read.bsky.social
and this means insurance won't pay for them. so good luck getting vaccinated.
May 16, 2025 at 1:37 AM