iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

1 down, 5 to go! ⚽ After months of planning and preparing, Philadelphia hosted its first FIFA World Cup event of the summer, including a WIDE range of ESF-8 support activities. We appreciate all of our local, regional, and state partners who have contributed to this success!

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

PAHPA is essential to public health/healthcare preparedness. We need to continue to push for reauthorization that sustains the foundation we have built over the last 20 years, and corrects the issues and adapts for the next 20 years! Thank you to @centerforhealthsecurity.org for this important work!

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Love seeing good work and good collaboration in our PA health departments! Here is the link to the original video - www.facebook.com/share/r/199U...

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Which country is the United States most like in this graphic? Hint....it isn't Denmark... This decision is going to lead to increases in vaccine preventable diseases and death. Full stop.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

So, we invade a foreign country and kidnap their leader because of a 5-year old criminal indictment here in the US. So…when the EU or ICJ issue an indictment against Trump, should we just plan on the foreign special ops folks to start lining up in DC? Or is this “do as we say, not as we do”? 🤔

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Generally, I disagree with this direction...no, I vehemently disagree with this direction. But I'm also very curious to see how far vaccine rates will dip once this is enacted - or will most parents and clinicians do the right thing and continue to ensure their kids and patients are cared for?

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

This year's #NationalPreparednessMonth theme is Preparedness Starts at Home, and that is so true. Emergency managers often say that "disasters start and end locally", and there is nothing more local to you, than you. If you aren't prepared....nothing else matters. #PreparednessStartsAtHome #NPM

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

It's #NationalPreparednessMonth, and I've been neglecting my social media, so for the next 4 weeks or so, I'm going to try to help share both the "official" NPM messages, as well as my own thoughts on preparedness. So, buckle up! #NPM #EmergencyManagement #Preparedness #PublicHealth #GreySky

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

This is a good summary, but again, I am frustrated with the focus on Medicaid as the lead talking point for public health agencies around OBBBA. There are numerous other impacts to public health in this bill, are there not? Why aren’t we talking about those? www.astho.org/advocacy/fed...

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Very poignant comments by Vanderwagen on personal resiliency - how well can we step back and have faith that there will be a future, collectively and individually. “The resiliency of humanity lifted me up.” Who lifts you up? #PrepSummit2025

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Wow - social media engagement at #PrepSummit2025 is way down (nonexistent??) Where is everyone? Am I the only one addicted to my phone right now? Or just on the wrong platform?

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Former ASPR Craig Vanderwagen talking about developing situational awareness, especially around gaps that may exist without federal support - who can help fill those gaps in future emergencies? #PrepSummit2025

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

NACCHO leadership talking about the change facing public health preparedness, now more so than ever. These truly are challenging times for public health agencies and disaster responders. Now is the time to ensure that people know the value of the work we do. And uncertainty cannot paralyze us.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Kicking off #PrepSummit2025! It’s so good to be back with so many public health preparedness colleagues, with so much networking, sharing (and commiserating) going on, and I’m so looking forward to it. Plus…it’s #Fiesta week!

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

A little #publichealth gallows humor? Why not…and it’s for a good cause, right?! 😂 #existentialdread

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Happy National Public Health Week to all who celebrate! 😁 #NHPW

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Reposted by Andy Pickett

Ray Barishansky @rbarishansky.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

If you want a clear picture of what is currently happening to public health in the US, this is a must-read. #publichealthincrisis #publichealth yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/threats-to...

yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com

Threats to public health at every angle

Covid anniversary, pandemic revisionism, chronic diseases, and a boulder going down the hill

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

And there's the other shoe.... www.hhs.gov/about/news/h...

hhs.gov

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

With $11 Billion being snatched from state and local public health - with absolutely zero notice - this will be "Black Tuesday" in the public health community. But I fear this is only the beginning.... www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

nbcnews.com

CDC is pulling back $11B in Covid funding sent to health departments across the U.S.

“Now that the pandemic is over, the grants and cooperative agreements are no longer necessary," federal health authorities wrote to funding recipients this week.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Ugh. It shouldn't surprise me that the Office of Readiness and Response's Board of Scientific Counselors is on the chopping block. But with increasing public health threats - H5N1, Measles, Dengue, and more - don't we WANT to have a robust team providing oversight and advice?

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

So, Google maps will show the “Gulf of America”….but my question is: what will The Weather Channel call it next hurricane season. That’s the real test, because we have seen the naming power of that organization! 😂

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Now I’m even more convinced than ever that the Super Bowl logo color conspiracy is a real thing: Red versus Green in Super Bowl LIX. So, I guess it’s “go birds”??

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

I didn’t have “Mitch McConnell is the voice of Republican reason” on my bingo card after this week…but good for him. This one still has me raising my eyebrows. We will see how it goes.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

This is bad…just plain bad. FEMA was created to support those states whose capability doesn’t meet the need. They fill the gaps…and believe me, there WILL be gaps. They also provide an essential coordination role at the federal level. Is FEMA perfect? Not at all. But damn…this is bad.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Well, with all of my meetings with federal partners over the next week being canceled, I’m finding a lot of free time on my calendar… 😳

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Reposted by Andy Pickett

BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Now more than ever: Global health needs champions Science needs champions Public health needs champions. I will keep doing my part because it's the one thing I can control. Sharing fact-based information on science, health and global health threats.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

I made it to Friday. Isn’t that enough of an accomplishment for the week? Do I actually have to “do” Friday, too?? That seems unfair.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

I saw this earlier and…I feel this…

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

So, “Free Speech for me, but not for thee” is the mantra of the new administration. Expected, but still eye roll worthy.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Data is data. Period. And the data says no. And it doesn’t matter what you “believe”….the data is the data. I don’t know why it’s so difficult for some people.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

I had a profound thought this morning: we all want to “give our kids more than we had growing up” and make their lives better than we had. But the world has changed SO MUCH in the last 30-40 years. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. So make sure they know they are loved, and let the rest go.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

It’s an example of the condition in which, if public health does its job well, no one knows we exist. People aren’t getting sick and dying, kids are growing up to live long lives, and major accidents aren’t occurring. When the ROI is “live a normal life”, people aren’t thinking of the alternative.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

An interesting retrospective, for sure. Definitely calls into question how we quantify risk, and the decisions we make based on those real/perceived risks. #GreySky #Healthcare #Preparedness www.cbsnews.com/news/hurrica...

cbsnews.com

Hurricane Helene destroyed a Tennessee hospital. Officials knew it was at risk.

Flash flooding from Hurricane Helene trapped dozens of people on the rooftop of Unicoi County Hospital.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

I can only hope that this is how reason wins the day in DC over the coming months - folks on both sides who realize that “oh hey, this actually does make sense and help people, like me” that are able to turn the tides of insanity.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

When I got my first #publichealth job in 2008, employees got t-shirts with the “top 10 achievements of public health in the 20 century” list. I still remember it, and it seems that the new administration seems to have a plan to destroy each of these accomplishments www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview...

cdc.gov

Ten Great Public Health Achievements -- United States, 1900-1999

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Kicking off the NASEM Health #MedPrepForum #CriticalInfrastructure workshop with a fireside chat, with high level perspectives from public health, healthcare, and the built environment. Great overview of the need for both internal and collaborative resilience!

4 panelists, 2 male and 2 female, sitting behind a table at the front of the room; with a slide with the title of the workshop above them.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

If you haven’t signed up yet, you can still sign up for virtual attendance at this important workshop on #CriticalInfrastructure for #Healthcare and #PublicHealth occurring next Monday and Tuesday! I will also try and share any good nuggets throughout the 2 days!!

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

So, the new policy of law enforcement nationwide will be “first, ascertain if the subject is an R or a D”. And all investigations and arrests must ensure they are equally prosecuted to both parties. And that’s a BEST case scenario for how I am hearing they will “depoliticize” law enforcement. 🙄

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Reposted by Andy Pickett

Ray Barishansky @rbarishansky.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

If you have questions about vaccines and how they have improved life in US, here are the answers you are looking for. Follow the facts, folks. #publichealth #vaccineswork www.vox.com/future-perfe...

vox.com

The stunning success of vaccines in America, in one chart

America, before and after vaccines.

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Andy Pickett @andypinpa.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Join the NASEM Health #MedPrepForum workshop Dec 9-10 to explore strategies, policies, and innovative actions for reducing risks & strengthening #healthcare and #PublicHealth #CriticalInfrastructure ahead of the next #disaster. Register here: bit.ly/4hsgn4e #PHEP #HPP

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