Reposted by Tara C. SmithDaniel Westreich @epidbydesign.bsky.social · 19hHey 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.) 352
Reposted by Tara C. SmithDaemonSky @dsky.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Misinfo 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.) 4105
Reposted by Tara C. SmithEric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Still 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 621938387
Reposted by Tara C. SmithElizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 01/10/2026A fifth measles death in Pennsylvania. Entirely preventable.theguardian.comPennsylvania reports fifth measles-related death of the year amid outbreakMeasles outbreak in the state has now reached 39 counties, with 943 confirmed cases and 176 hospitalizations 18288133
Reposted by Tara C. SmithAlicia Ault @aliciaault.bsky.social · 01/10/2026A fifth person has died from measles in Pennsylvania. #IDsky #EpiSky #pediatrics #MMR #vaccinesnbcnews.comPennsylvania reports 5th measles-related death in the stateThe state’s outbreak is the largest in the U.S. 01021
Reposted by Tara C. SmithDorit Reiss @doritreiss.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Public health advocates express concern about nominee to lead the FDA www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va... via @lizszabo.bsky.social @cidrap.bsky.socialcidrap.umn.eduPublic health advocates express concern about nominee to lead the FDA 078
Reposted by Tara C. SmithProf Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 29/09/2026The MAGA/MAHA Administration really loves to censor science www.medpagetoday.com/washington-w...medpagetoday.comTrump Administration Suppressed USPSTF RecommendationsGroup's recommendations on cervical cancer screening, cardiovascular prevention were blocked 06936
Reposted by Tara C. SmithBen Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Gobsmacked 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. 273128242111
Reposted by Tara C. SmithBrandy Zadrozny @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Joke 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! 2626598
Reposted by Tara C. SmithKevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 29/09/2026When 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. 20752391426
Reposted by Tara C. SmithLiz Szabo @lizszabo.bsky.social · 28/09/2026A 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." 12817
Reposted by Tara C. SmithAmesh 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.eduDR Congo Ebola outbreak tops 8,000 cases, with 48% death rate 0127
Reposted by Tara C. SmithProf Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Russell 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.comRFK’s MAHA Think Tank Slammed Over Bathtub Endorsement From Naked Hollywood Star Awaiting Trial for RapeAn 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... 75622
Reposted by Tara C. SmithDan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Russell 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 22425971067
Tara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Have 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. 12663
Reposted by Tara C. Smithpublic 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." 25615
Reposted by Tara C. SmithKate, Queen of the Squirrels (she/her) @pavlovcat.myatproto.social · 26/09/2026Placed 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. 1129032
Reposted by Tara C. SmithJonathan Pruneda @jnpruneda.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Calling 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.orgAmerican Society for Microbiology | Northwest BranchWelcome to the NW ASM Branch Meeting website serving professionals in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. 043
Reposted by Tara C. SmithMaryn McKenna @marynmck.bsky.social · 25/09/2026If 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. 414062
Reposted by Tara C. SmithKathleen 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.comDemocrats press RFK Jr. on an ethics agreement change involving law firm feesThe health secretary quietly changed an ethics agreement he signed before his confirmation. 23014
Reposted by Tara C. SmithMatt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese has been recalled for E. coli. 13 illnesses identified in 9 states, with 8 hospitalizations so far.fda.govOutbreak 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. 34124
Reposted by Tara C. SmithMaryn McKenna @marynmck.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Fake. 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.comInteractive: Meat recall linked to fake USDA labelsPork, 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. 11527471299
Reposted by Tara C. SmithChuck Wendig @chuckwendig.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Listen, 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 1015935
Reposted by Tara C. SmithBlue Heron Farm @blueheronfarm.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Why doesn't he rely on in his body's natural defenses? 328763
Reposted by Tara C. SmithTara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 24/09/2026If 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! 1308
Tara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 24/09/2026If 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! 1308
Reposted by Tara C. SmithElizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 24/09/2026RFK 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.comExclusive | RFK Jr. Got Free Flights to Fiji and Greece From a Top DonorThe health secretary disclosed over $250,000 in gifts from security specialist Gavin de Becker. 2621355
Reposted by Tara C. SmithAaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 24/09/2026MURRAY: 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: 😊 42058981864
Reposted by Tara C. SmithChris Mihos @chrismihos.bsky.social · 24/09/2026I 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. 1454195
Reposted by Tara C. SmithI 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.comExclusive | RFK Jr.’s Enhanced Security Was Funded With Money From Minority Health OfficeThe cost of the health secretary’s security grew from roughly $10 million in fiscal year 2025 to $17 million in fiscal year 2026. 431140603
Reposted by Tara C. SmithTara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Tired: vaccination Wired: microdosing microbial peptides to boost immunity 914035
Reposted by Tara C. SmithColin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 23/09/2026What'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.comThe anthropogenic fingerprint on emerging infectious diseases - NatureEmerging infectious disease outbreak risks are ubiquitous worldwide, and highest in landscapes where people, livestock and fragmented natural ecosystems coexist, but detection and data ... 8553277
Reposted by Tara C. SmithAmy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 23/09/2026RFK 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.comDelays in Covid shots for kids is latest bid by Trump officials to restrict vaccinesAdministration is holding back Covid vaccines for all children in at least 11 states and one US territory 1196119
Reposted by Tara C. SmithTAGHIVscience @taghivscience.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Quote 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" 277
Reposted by Tara C. SmithOG_McDuck @ogmcduck.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Wired with fire: colloidal silver 162
Tara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Tired: vaccination Wired: microdosing microbial peptides to boost immunity 914035
Reposted by Tara C. SmithNikhil 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.comDelays in Covid shots for kids is latest bid by Trump officials to restrict vaccinesAdministration is holding back Covid vaccines for all children in at least 11 states and one US territory 173
Reposted by Tara C. SmithAnthony Michael Kreis @anthonymkreis.bsky.social · 22/09/2026This is the dumbest thing in the world. The fraud is that people are paying for insurance and they’re… healthy? 1472177482
Reposted by Tara C. SmithJeff Sharlet @jeffsharlet.bsky.social · 21/09/2026The 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.comOp-eds, academic articles by Provost Santiago Schnell flagged as ‘AI-written’ by ‘near-zero error’ AI detector PangramSchnell 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.” 711481490
Reposted by Tara C. SmithJohn W. Farrell @johnwfarrell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Five Days to Pub Date! @kejames.bsky.social @nickmatzke.bsky.social @aetiology.bsky.social @eugeniescott.bsky.social bookshop.org/p/books/an-u...bookshop.orgAn Uncommon DescentThere'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... 052
Reposted by Tara C. SmithLinda Holmes @lindaholmes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026I 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. 3841385
Reposted by Tara C. SmithBrendan Cantwell @cantb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026When 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.  1247273
Reposted by Tara C. SmithKate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 20/09/2026I 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.comA Family Tree, Nearly Broken by PolioAs 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. 9332119
Reposted by Tara C. SmithMichelle Cohen @docmcohen.medsky.social · 20/09/2026Preorders 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... 23911
Reposted by Tara C. SmithThe Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 20/09/2026AI 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... 104832
Reposted by Tara C. SmithMatt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Midterm 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.comVaccines become a 2026 midterm election issue amid measles outbreakA measles outbreak and the Trump administration narrowing childhood immunization recommendations have made vaccines a midterm election issue. 1156
Reposted by Tara C. Smithtaylr @taylordahlin.com · 19/09/2026if 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 973142833
Reposted by Tara C. SmithKathleen 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.comRFK 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.” 382343983