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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H

@illegibleprune.bsky.social
1.1K followers 5K following 197 posts

Immun-ize and shine! 💉☀️ Infectious disease pediatrician My opinion ≠ advice ≠ employer’s stance All kids deserve health 🌍🌎🌏

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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Michael Kagan @michaelgkagan.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I love my country. I love what it could be and should be. So this just makes me so sad. To those we let down: I hope you find a country that welcomes and values you like you deserve.
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A great read. Politicians (👀 @amyactonoh.bsky.social, @jamestalarico.bsky.social) who cave on advocating for people’s rights b/c they perceive the advocacy to be unpopular undermine faith that they’ll stand up for anything when the going gets tough, & don’t even gain much when they backtrack…
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Once more for the folks in the back: ectopic pregnancies are *NOT* viable pregnancies. If they are not treated, they risk killing the pregnant person. Abortion bans confuse the picture and delay appropriate treatment. www.acog.org/advocacy/fac...
acog.org
Understanding Ectopic Pregnancy
Facts are important, and essential care must never be legislated or regulated based on false or inaccurate premises. This includes lifesaving treatment of ectopic pregnancies.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
“Totalitarianism demands, in fact, the continuous alteration of the past, and in the long run probably demands a disbelief in the very existence of objective truth” —George Orwell, from Orwell on Truth
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Davie Street: The Canadian Abbey Road 🇨🇦
4 Canada geese crossing the street in Vancouver, calling to mind the famous image of The Beatles crossing the street from the Abbey Road album
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 03/09/2026
It’s impossible to calculate how much of what I’ve been able to accomplish is because of women like Gloria Steinem. Rest in power. www.npr.org/2026/09/03/n...
npr.org
Gloria Steinem, trailblazing journalist and activist, dies at 92
At a time when women were largely limited to domestic roles, Steinem challenged gender stereotypes and championed feminist ideals like equality, sisterhood and reproductive freedom.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Lauren Dobson-Hughes @ldobsonhughes.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The US's war on Iran has caused skyrocketing costs for humanitarian aid. It's cost Save the Children alone $13m in aid - money that could have fed 1.5 million children, funded 47 health clinics in Afghanistan or 5 hospitals in Somalia www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
Save the Children aid for 1.5 million in need wiped out by Iran war oil shock
Charity says extra delivery costs equivalent to 47 health clinics in Afghanistan operating for six months
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Philippa Matthews @pippa-matt.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
#VaccinesWork Not only to prevent #infection, but then to prevent #cancer. #HPV is a stunning success story. We can follow suit for #HBV. #MedSky #PublicHealth 🧪
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Onisillos @onisillos.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
"Ending an Ebola outbreak is an important milestone, but the lasting achievement is a stronger ability to protect people from future health threats. Uganda has shown what sustained investment in preparedness can deliver." www.afro.who.int/countries/ug...
afro.who.int
Uganda ends Ebola outbreak following completion of 42-day countdown
Uganda has ended its Ebola outbreak due to Bundibugyo virus after 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case, WHO and Africa CDC announced, urging sustained preparedness across the region.
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Bought a @play.date a few months back as a gift and was surprised to see this message in my e-mail today. This is quite literally the only company I’ve seen do this; everyone other company just passed on the costs to the consumers and pocketed the money.
Screenshot of an unexpected e-mail saying that Playdate is refunding money collected for tariffs now that the tariffs have have been ruled unconstitutional. This was done presumably because Playdate is a company staffed by real humans who maintain good values and a sense of justice and NOT by an army of AI bots led by an oligarch with a gaping black hole sucking up money where his/her heart should be.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 25/08/2026
Dolly Parton supported so many important causes, among them donating a million dollars to COVID vaccine research early in the pandemic, which saved millions of lives. She will always be remembered as a champion of the people.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Dolly Parton was an icon. She was a brilliant songwriter and performer. She was an incredible activist and advocate, helping to donate over 200 million free books to children. She was one of my personal heroes. This is a terrible loss. She will be greatly missed.
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The cold chain is harder to maintain than you would think. If these trials are successful, it will be a huge breakthrough for kids and families who live far from cities.
bbc.com
Half of vaccines are binned - this plant could change that
Scientists have kept vaccines stable at room temperature for a year, which could transform global vaccination.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
The Economist gets it right: the actual scandal of the pandemic is that the US could have averted mass death As the editorial notes, it’s a tragedy how many Americans died because anti-vaccine activists & MAGA/MAHA leaders persuaded them not to get vaccinated 😢 www.economist.com/united-state...
economist.com
The real covid-19 scandal is still unfolding
The failure to reckon with lives needlessly lost will make the next pandemic deadlier
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 19/08/2026
Great news: A mRNA cancer vaccine slowed the return and spread of melanoma when used in combination with cancer immunotherapy in a late-stage clinical trial. The results will be presented at an upcoming meeting.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Patrick Hickey, MD @pwhickey.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
“This will not stop with trans people. It never has.” www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
theatlantic.com
The Wrong Kind of American
The Trump White House needed me—until the fact that I am trans became public.
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Really excellent 🧵 on why splitting vaccines up isn’t benign. Combination vaccines save kids pokes, families money & time, and our communities from illness. And most importantly, they are safe and effective!
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
I'm old enough to remember when polio put my friends into iron lungs. We dutifully lined up at school to get vaccinated. We eradicated the disease. We protected the common good and saved lives. What RFK Jr. is doing to public health in America is a disgrace.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Dr. Zachary Rubin @rubinallergy.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Vaccines remain one of the greatest lifesaving achievements in human history and no executive order can change the evidence.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Peter Morley ♿️ @petermorley.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
This is the ONLY Blanche I recognize.
static.klipy.com
Blanche Devereaux Golden Girls Retro TV
ALT: Blanche Devereaux Golden Girls Retro TV
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Great article from @npr.org describing Rwanda’s innovative solutions to healthcare challenges, as well as the issues yet to be addressed and the U.S.’s conflicting roles in global health of late
npr.org
They're a world leader in using drones for healthcare. But drones can't do it all
Drones carrying medical supplies constantly crisscross the skies of Rwanda. The Trump administration is giving a major grant to the effort — and at the same time cutting aid to the country.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Iron Spike @ironspike.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
This shit with Taylor Farms is exactly what I’m talking about when I say you may say you “don’t do politics,“ but politics are more than happy to do you. The microbes political bribes got out the door and into your intestines don’t particularly care that you find it all beneath you.
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Really proud of this paper we published in @jpidsociety.bsky.social this week. International health policy choices affect us all, even when we stay home. As pediatricians, we have a responsibility to advocate for policies that improve the health of our patients and their families.
academic.oup.com
The Call is Coming from Inside the House: Effects of U.S. Immigration and Global Health Policy Changes on Patients and the Domestic Pediatric Infectious Diseases Workforce
Rachel Martin-Blais, Gabriel Saramago, Willow Anne; The Call is Coming from Inside the House: Effects of U.S. Immigration and Global Health Policy Changes
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Timothy Caulfield @caulfieldtim.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Do vaccines save lives? Yep! Does antivaxx BS kill? Yep. 👇 Cervical cancer deaths for vaccinated young women fall to zero in England: study www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
ctvnews.ca
Cervical cancer deaths for vaccinated young women fall to zero in England: study
The HPV vaccine for cervical cancer has reduced the risk of dying from the disease before the age of 30 in England to almost zero, the first study of its kind showed Thursday.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Huge congratulations to RFK Jr for fulfilling one of his life dreams
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Thomas [DARK MODE], DO @tom.medsky.social · 04/06/2026
Finally! Something that you actually can treat with ivermectin. 🤷‍♂️
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
💯
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Rachel Maddow @maddow.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
"“It’s possible that we’re starting to see the consequences of severe and sudden cuts to global health programs that have eroded surveillance and allowed deadly viruses to spread undetected...” www.nytimes.com/2026/05/15/w...
nytimes.com
Large Ebola Outbreak Is Declared in Congo
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Patrick Chovanec @prchovanec.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Watching a series of former Confederate states rush to eliminate any vestige of black representation in the House pretty much answers the question whether the Voting Rights Act was still necessary.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Patrick Hickey, MD @pwhickey.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Kudos to Jake and the team at the University of Nebraska- I worked in Liberia during the Ebola outbreak, and combating misinformation about conditions and treatment units became a huge priority. Keeping patients connected to family and friends outside is so important.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Alexandra Petri @petridishes.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
sorry I seem distracted just have to keep checking my phone to see if one of my freedoms is being arbitrarily taken away
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
So disheartening to see universities not only failing to support their faculty and students, but being complicit in retaliation against them for defending their colleagues and valuable work.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Krutika Kuppalli, MD FIDSA @krutikakuppalli.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
A lot of people are asking: “Could #hantavirus become another pandemic?” Probably not. But that’s the wrong question. The better question is: “Do we have systems capable of detecting and responding to unusual outbreaks quickly?” That’s what truly matters.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Krutika Kuppalli, MD FIDSA @krutikakuppalli.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
1/ A week into a multi-country #hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, the CDC has finally issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory to clinicians. In a world of rapid global travel and instant information sharing, that delay matters. www.cdc.gov/han/php/noti...
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @drtedros.who.int · 09/05/2026
I arrived in #Spain, where I will join senior government officials in a mission to Tenerife to oversee safe disembarkation of the passengers, crew members and health experts from MV Hondius cruise ship. 1/3
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Richard Ferro, MD MSc @richferro.com · 07/05/2026
You can find information related to Hantavirus and the recent outbreak from trusted medical experts on the @topics.medsky.network feed. Please report any medical misinformation to @moderation.medsky.network and @moderation.bsky.app
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
1. #CDC issued its 1st alert to health providers & public health depts on the cruise ship #hantavirus outbreak overnight. I got it at 12:45 am ET This should have happened days ago. CDC's communications are tightly controlled by HHS in this administration. This isn't the way CDC normally functions.
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
This is a horrible idea, for so many reasons. I did not come from money, and paid for school myself. When I graduated medical school >10 years ago, my student loans totaled more than $250K. I can only imagine what it costs today. If I had had this cap, I probably couldn’t have become a doctor.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 06/05/2026
horrible. this country’s turn away from science based medicine in the name of “wellness” is killing children and will kill a lot more. www.propublica.org/article/more...
propublica.org
Babies Are Bleeding to Death as Parents Reject a Vitamin Shot Given at Birth
A lifesaving injection given at birth to prevent severe bleeding has become collateral damage of the anti-vaccine movement.
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
We’ve been seeing more and more parents declining the vitamin K shot lately. Vitamin K is made in the gut by friendly bacteria and helps with blood clotting. But babies come out without bacteria living in their guts yet! So we give them the vitamin to cover them until they’re ready to make their own
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Dr. Mar @boldnewme.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Attention all men. More of this, please.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
CIDRAP: Words matter: CDC's anti-science messaging can undermine public trust in vaccines, survey finds by Sarah Boden @cidrap.bsky.social @sarahboden.bsky.social bit.ly/3RbNi4o
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
American exceptionalism
Figure shows:

The U.S. Has By Far the Highest Child and Teen Firearm Mortality Rate Among Similarly Large and Wealthy OECD Nations
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
NYT: AIDS Creeps Back in Parts of Zambia, a Year After U.S. Cuts to H.I.V. Assistance by Stephanie Nolen @nytimes.com @stephanienolen.bsky.social nyti.ms/4tsYkR3 gift
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Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H @illegibleprune.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Measles can hurt you in so many different ways, and even years later. My heart aches for this family who lost their daughter to one of the most devastating complications of measles infection.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Court strikes down “Kennedy Declaration” on transgender care, calling arguments “bald-faced lie” and “gaslighting” RFK can’t unilaterally set standards of care and cannot exclude providers from Medicare/caid for offering care consistent w medical guidelines storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
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public health guy @publichealthguy1.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
anyone who knew someone with pancreatic cancer knows how big of a deal this is
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Qasim Rashid, Esq. @qasimrashid.com · 17/04/2026
This article is for men. In just the past few weeks: a wife murdered. A community leader killed. Multiple women alleging assault from another congressman. A survivor died by suicide. "Rape Academy" has 140 million visits in two months. The pattern is horrifying, and the solution starts with us.
qasimrashid.com
Men, We Need to Talk About "Rape Academy"
This isn’t about women. This is about us. And it’s long past time we had this conversation
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Fluoride in drinking water has no effect on IQ or brain function, a long-term study shows. The new research is the first to measure community water fluoridation exposure during childhood and any potential impact on cognition up to age 80. The results contradict RFK Jr. statements.
nbcnews.com
Fluoride in drinking water has no effect on IQ or brain function, long-term study shows
The new research is the first to measure community water fluoridation exposure during childhood and any potential impact on cognition up to age 80.
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Reposted by Rachel Martin-Blais, MD, DTM&H
Fredo Fabrucci: The Poster's Poster™ @fredo.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Soup of the day: Tiramisu
Soup (a piece of tiramisu on a plate with some lady finger cookies around it)
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