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Tara C. Smith

@aetiology.bsky.social
34K followers 3K following 6.4K posts

Collector of social media sites. Infectious disease epidemiologist. Writes about vaccine hesitancy, science misinfo, zombies. Probably somewhere on a trail. Views own etc.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Tara C. Smith
Daniel Westreich @epidbydesign.bsky.social · 19h
Hey scientists - has anyone else gotten email from purported headhunters trying to recruit you to a too-good-to-be-true job? (I've now gotten 2 for jobs that do not exist. Clearly genAI-produced content, clearly SOME kind of scam - but I can't figure out the angle.)
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DaemonSky @dsky.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Misinfo folks - does anyone know where these "airborne ebola" rumors are coming from? I'm now hearing them from US people and I cannot figure out where TF they're getting them. I just don't have time for the dig right now. (There is no evidence of this in any official report obviously.)
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Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Still kind of inconceivable how many people died or will die because of the death of USAID. And the world’s richest man did it almost as a joke
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Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A fifth measles death in Pennsylvania. Entirely preventable.
theguardian.com
Pennsylvania reports fifth measles-related death of the year amid outbreak
Measles outbreak in the state has now reached 39 counties, with 943 confirmed cases and 176 hospitalizations
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Alicia Ault @aliciaault.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A fifth person has died from measles in Pennsylvania. #IDsky #EpiSky #pediatrics #MMR #vaccines
nbcnews.com
Pennsylvania reports 5th measles-related death in the state
The state’s outbreak is the largest in the U.S.
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Dorit Reiss @doritreiss.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Public health advocates express concern about nominee to lead the FDA www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va... via @lizszabo.bsky.social @cidrap.bsky.social
cidrap.umn.edu
Public health advocates express concern about nominee to lead the FDA
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Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The MAGA/MAHA Administration really loves to censor science www.medpagetoday.com/washington-w...
medpagetoday.com
Trump Administration Suppressed USPSTF Recommendations
Group's recommendations on cervical cancer screening, cardiovascular prevention were blocked
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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Gobsmacked by the elite levels of not knowing ball in the Senate today, thinking an NBA team is called the Hawkeyes then, refusing to Google it, then accusing a guy of treason because you didn’t know the Iowa Lady Hawkeyes aren’t in the NBA. Somehow I don’t trust these people to Save Girls Sports.
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Brandy Zadrozny @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Joke about non-consensual contact right out of the gate at the MAHA Summit's "Reform in CMS" panel from moderator Russell Brand, the comedian who has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of rape and sexual assault for which he will stand trial in London next month. Dr. Oz slaps his knee. MAHA!
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
When they get back in power, Democrats need to go all-in on higher education. We need a campaign of reinvestment in public universities across the country that makes the Morrill Land-Grant Act look like nothing by comparison *and* a GI Bill of Rights-style program of tuition grants.
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Liz Szabo @lizszabo.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A mother’s advice to her sons on HPV and cancer: “All I can do is tell them that Aunt Erica died of this disease. And that a vaccine could have saved her life."
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Amesh Adalja @ameshaa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
“The continuously high CFR, and especially the continuous high rate of deaths occurring in communities, highlights the seriousness of the disease and the persistent challenges in timely case detection and access to early and adequate patient care,” www.cidrap.umn.edu/ebola/dr-con...
cidrap.umn.edu
DR Congo Ebola outbreak tops 8,000 cases, with 48% death rate
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Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Russell Brand is central to MAHA & has been an adviser to its MAHA Action group This will make you throw up a little in your mouth: He dialled into a MAHA Action Zoom meeting from his bath tub, naked, to give a "rambling monologue" on media coverage of US healthcare www.yahoo.com/news/article...
yahoo.com
RFK’s MAHA Think Tank Slammed Over Bathtub Endorsement From Naked Hollywood Star Awaiting Trial for Rape
An influential health think tank linked to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received a bizarre endorsement from Hollywood star Russell Brand, who addressed its online forum while naked in a bath...
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Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Russell Brand, who's awaiting trial in London next month on rape and sexual assault charges, will moderate a panel at DC's MAHA summit tomorrow on reforming a U.S. health agency
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Tara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Have you ever had a manuscript with so many reviews (5! + additional editor comments) and so many contradictory revision suggestions that you just wanted to say "fuck it" and never look at it again? I'm getting anxiety dreams over this damn paper.
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Tara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We have been elevated to turkey caretakers.
Two large white domestic tom turkeys in my driveway
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public health guy @publichealthguy1.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"Of the 109 public health officials, 76% experienced what researchers called “extraordinary backlash” such as threats and harassment."
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Kate, Queen of the Squirrels (she/her) @pavlovcat.myatproto.social · 26/09/2026
Placed a grocery order for pick up and the shopped has messaged me twice now to tell me the item I ordered has been recalled. Totally unrelated foods. Things are going great here in the U.S.
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Jonathan Pruneda @jnpruneda.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Calling all microbiologists of the PNW! Please join us at this year's ASM Northwest Branch Meeting in Moscow, ID over 10/31-11/1. @drpaulrowley.bsky.social has put together a fantastic schedule - you won't want to miss it! See our website for details: www.nwasm.org Spread the news!
nwasm.org
American Society for Microbiology | Northwest Branch
Welcome to the NW ASM Branch Meeting website serving professionals in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
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Tara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Dark Crystal & ET double feature
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Maryn McKenna @marynmck.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
If you were transfixed by THE HOT ZONE when you were young, or then read SPILLOVER and trusted it, then as a career scary diseases reporter, I urge you to read this thread. Science moves on. People discover fresh stuff. The work careers were built on becomes outdated. Be open to the new. Please.
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Kathleen Bachynski @bachynski.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“Shortly after his confirmation hearings, Kennedy quietly changed his ethics disclosures and transferred his stake to his former employer, the personal injury law firm Wisner Baum, apparently contradicting his sworn commitments to members of Congress… senators are now pushing Kennedy for answers”
inquirer.com
Democrats press RFK Jr. on an ethics agreement change involving law firm fees
The health secretary quietly changed an ethics agreement he signed before his confirmation.
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Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese has been recalled for E. coli. 13 illnesses identified in 9 states, with 8 hospitalizations so far.
fda.gov
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O26:H11: Raw Cheese (September 2026)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses.
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Maryn McKenna @marynmck.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Fake. USDA. Seals. Used by an NC meat processing plant on 83.5 TONS of meat. Produced entirely outside the federal inspection system, according to news reports. We are pretty close to The Jungle (second ed.) now, no? www.scrippsnews.com/life/recalls...
scrippsnews.com
Interactive: Meat recall linked to fake USDA labels
Pork, beef and goat products are being recalled after a company allegedly used fake USDA inspection labels. Explore our interactive guide to see which products are affected and what to look for.
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Chuck Wendig @chuckwendig.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Listen, I'm just saying: a) @marynmck.bsky.social is a treasure b) if you like this kinda thing, I really really hope you'll read BLACK RIVER ORCHARD, because it literally features apple detectives hunting rare apples
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Blue Heron Farm @blueheronfarm.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Why doesn't he rely on in his body's natural defenses?
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Tara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
If you're in the Kent OH area, I'll be at the downtown gazebo to talk about @defendpublichealth.bsky.social @dphohio.bsky.social and #SoSforHealth for the next couple of hours!
Ohio Defend Public Health signWe ❤️ vaccines and healthcare signAuthor in orange sunglasses and "vaccinated af" shirt
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Tara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
If you're in the Kent OH area, I'll be at the downtown gazebo to talk about @defendpublichealth.bsky.social @dphohio.bsky.social and #SoSforHealth for the next couple of hours!
Ohio Defend Public Health signWe ❤️ vaccines and healthcare signAuthor in orange sunglasses and "vaccinated af" shirt
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Reposted by Tara C. Smith
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
RFK Jr. has a contract for a book entitled “Unsettled Science”. He likely means it in the sense of “not yet resolved or decided” (as he falsely claims about vaccines). I think the title works in the sense of “feeling nervous, upset, or worried; not comfortable” (with him in charge).
wsj.com
Exclusive | RFK Jr. Got Free Flights to Fiji and Greece From a Top Donor
The health secretary disclosed over $250,000 in gifts from security specialist Gavin de Becker.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 24/09/2026
MURRAY: The Trump admin falsely labeled birth control as abortion. Do you agree that an IUD is an abortifacient? OVERTON: If confirmed, I'll be fully briefed M: That's not an answer. The prospect of an FDA commissioner who doesn't know that birth control isn't an abortion is deeply alarming O: 😊
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Chris Mihos @chrismihos.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I get really annoyed seeing so many people say "Since everyone uses AI to write papers..." or "Referee reports now are just written by AI..." Look: Everything I have written has, for better or worse, been my own writing. Don't project your cynical expectations on my work. Seriously, screw gen-AI.
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I Travel Like Sound Dog @chadstanton.blacksky.app · 23/09/2026
“The Department of Health and Human Services informed congressional appropriators earlier this year that it was moving about $12 million from its Office of Minority Health to help cover the ballooning cost of security for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.” www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
wsj.com
Exclusive | RFK Jr.’s Enhanced Security Was Funded With Money From Minority Health Office
The cost of the health secretary’s security grew from roughly $10 million in fiscal year 2025 to $17 million in fiscal year 2026.
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Tara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Tired: vaccination Wired: microdosing microbial peptides to boost immunity
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Colin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
What's behind this tidal wave of epidemics? In the largest study ever conducted on emerging infectious diseases, we show that the popular explanation - "our relationship with nature is out of balance" - doesn't hold up. Out now in Nature, after half a decade of work: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
The anthropogenic fingerprint on emerging infectious diseases - Nature
Emerging infectious disease outbreak risks are ubiquitous worldwide, and highest in landscapes where people, livestock and fragmented natural ecosystems coexist, but detection and data ...
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Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
RFK Jr's HHS is essentially withholding Covid vaccines from children from poorer backgrounds, amid a Covid wave. Important story from @melodyschreiber.com www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Delays in Covid shots for kids is latest bid by Trump officials to restrict vaccines
Administration is holding back Covid vaccines for all children in at least 11 states and one US territory
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TAGHIVscience @taghivscience.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Quote from the new NIAID Director John Powers III: "infectious diseases don't occur unless your immune system reacts in some way to make you ill"
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OG_McDuck @ogmcduck.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Wired with fire: colloidal silver
Dr Oz and Oprah talking to the colloidal silver guy who turned blue from it. Oprah really sucks btw.A man with blue skinand silver hair in suspenders
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Tara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Tired: vaccination Wired: microdosing microbial peptides to boost immunity
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Nikhil Shah @grandmastershah.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"Vaccinating children is especially important early in life; infants have one of the highest hospitalization rates from Covid after the 65-plus age group. “Those are kids that have never been exposed to Covid,” he said, and vaccination can help prevent these severe outcomes."
theguardian.com
Delays in Covid shots for kids is latest bid by Trump officials to restrict vaccines
Administration is holding back Covid vaccines for all children in at least 11 states and one US territory
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Anthony Michael Kreis @anthonymkreis.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This is the dumbest thing in the world. The fraud is that people are paying for insurance and they’re… healthy?
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Jeff Sharlet @jeffsharlet.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The provost of Dartmouth, at which I teach, has been using AI to write both academic papers & national op-eds, according to brave reporting by @thedartmouth.bsky.social. Many students are already bitter about AI. This leaves us as faculty no ground to stand on. www.thedartmouth.com/article/2026...
thedartmouth.com
Op-eds, academic articles by Provost Santiago Schnell flagged as ‘AI-written’ by ‘near-zero error’ AI detector Pangram
Schnell said he used artificial intelligence for “making writing processes more efficient,” but that AI was not a “substitute” for his own “intellectual judgment or authorship.”
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John W. Farrell @johnwfarrell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Five Days to Pub Date! @kejames.bsky.social @nickmatzke.bsky.social @aetiology.bsky.social @eugeniescott.bsky.social bookshop.org/p/books/an-u...
bookshop.org
An Uncommon Descent
There's nothing like doing science with your back against the wall. A rising star in her field, Nora Dunnahaldey is trying to get back on her feet after the death of her husband and the violent backla...
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Linda Holmes @lindaholmes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I am not saying everybody has the ability to follow this path, but: I was uncertain of my MMR status. I went into the CVS app, scheduled a booster, walked in, got one, walked out, paid nothing.
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Brendan Cantwell @cantb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
When you spend enough time in academia you will notice class based distinctions on career outcomes that have more to do with culture than with talent or work. You’ll also notice the improbably high share of faculty members who had at least one parent who is/was a faculty member. 
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Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I wrote up this story about my mom's survival from polio and its connections to world history, family lore, & current events: katestarbird.substack.com/p/a-family-t... We need to keep telling our stories of the world before vaccines — to prevent ourselves from having to live in a world after them.
katestarbird.substack.com
A Family Tree, Nearly Broken by Polio
As MAHA leaders call the polio vaccine a "fraud," an old family photo tells the story of the world before vaccines — and warns of the risk of forgetting.
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Michelle Cohen @docmcohen.medsky.social · 20/09/2026
Preorders available now for my upcoming book HER BODY, HER CURE! I wrote about the history & politics of wellness culture from its origins in the 1800s to its latest far right incarnation post-2020. Alt-health/wellness is not just academic for me, it’s highly personal. 🧵 utppublishing.com/do...
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The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 20/09/2026
AI is learning to lie — and then gaslight you about it. Kind of funny when the topic is movies, but a lot less funny when the topic is health, law or public policy. theconversation.com/you-can-pers...
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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Midterm voters are more concerned about gas prices than vaccines. BUT, as I discuss with @usatoday.com, vaccines are becoming an increasingly important litmus test for figuring out which candidates will stand up to the Trump admin, and who will not. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
usatoday.com
Vaccines become a 2026 midterm election issue amid measles outbreak
A measles outbreak and the Trump administration narrowing childhood immunization recommendations have made vaccines a midterm election issue.
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taylr @taylordahlin.com · 19/09/2026
if you’re the white woman who was picking up a bat in downtown minneapolis on hennepin ave between washington & 3rd on 9/15 at noon, the minnesota department of health would like to talk to you because that shit was RABID! i would also like to talk to you because girl, wtf
mi
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
protecting, maintaining and improving the health of il Minesotans
RABID BAT FOUND ON SIDEWALK
On Tuesday, September 15 at about 12pm, a bat was found on the sidewalk on Hennepin Ave between N. Washington Ave and N 3°St.
The bat died and was sent for rabies testing. This bat tested positive for
rabies.
A woman was seen crouching by the bat and putting it into a bag. She was described as a 25-to-30-year-old white woman, about 5'5", with curly brown hair and a curly-haired golden retriever-like dog. If this was you, please call 911 and ask to be connected to Animal Care & Control.
Bites from bats are tiny, may be painless, and may not leave a mark. An person who had physical contact or touched this bat should talk with health care provider this weekend for assessment. During the week, Minnesota Department of Health can also provide rabies assessments at 651-201-5414.
If vou did not touch or have any contact with the bat, you have no risk of rabies and do not need shots.
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Kathleen Bachynski @bachynski.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
“On Thursday, Mr. Gorton said that “the success of the polio vaccine was a massive medical fraud” and that widespread vaccination was a “public health disaster.” He received a standing ovation… Mr. Kennedy spoke next, linking arms with the group even as measles cases continue to rise”
nytimes.com
RFK Jr. Assures Vaccine Skeptics They Have a ‘Friend at the White House’
The health secretary spoke at a conference featuring misinformation about vaccines, including a claim that the success of the polio vaccines was a “fraud.”
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