iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

ProPublica @propublica.org · 19/08/2026

Robot arms kept catching on fire. Machines kept ruining artillery shells. A $533 million General Dynamics project failed to produce a single usable shell. “It was a waste of government money, and it was a waste of our time,” one former technician said.

propublica.org

Fiasco in the Factory: Taxpayers Funded a $533 Million Artillery Plant That Made Nothing

General Dynamics opened a Texas factory to churn out artillery shells for Ukraine, but the machines kept breaking. Robot arms smashed into things. Hunks of metal crashed to the floor. There was even a...

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Khashoggi's Ghost @urocklive1.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

As a general rule, I'd advise voting for the candidates that PG&E is trying hardest to defeat. They do not have the best interests of people or the planet in mind.

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

ProPublica @propublica.org · 17/08/2026

Babies were found with dead brain tissue similar to what follows cancer and the kind of bleeding seen after a stroke. Their autopsies all came to the same conclusion: Their deaths could have been prevented with the long-standard vitamin K shot. (Published May)

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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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

We are projected to spend $268 BILLION on deportations — costing the average American taxpayer about $2,358 (according to @epi.org). But somehow we “can’t afford” to make sure hungry children can eat or ensure everyone, no matter their income, can access healthcare. Priorities.

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Sarah Karlin-Smith @sarahkarlin-smith.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Now that federal and state governments are writing laws and regulations to crack down on rebates & spread pricing, PBMs are predicted to make up for the lost revenue by imposing larger fees on employer-sponsored health plans and drugmakers when they draw up contracts with clients.

modernhealthcare.com

PBMs pivot to fees as clients, regulators shun old ways

Key revenue sources for pharmacy benefit managers have gone by the wayside, leading companies to seek new ways to make money.

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Eric Umansky @ericumansky.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

NEW: Under Trump, mental health care for vets is getting squeezed VA is bleeding shrinks & *not replacing them* One told me she's so overloaded her sessions can be *16 mins* She's had to online sessions w/ 35 vets How is that therapeutic? It's not, she said www.propublica.org/article/vete...

propublica.org

Veterans Who Depend on Mental Health Care Keep Losing Their Therapists Under Trump

Hundreds of mental health professionals have left the Department of Veterans Affairs since President Donald Trump took office, leaving staff “at a breaking point” and some veterans waiting as long as ...

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Jeff Brady @jeffbradynews.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Utility safety concerns about plug-in solar panels prompted 5 states to delay votes on enabling legislation. Germany has 1.2 million balcony solar panels registered with no safety problems reported. Here's my @npr.org story: www.npr.org/2026/03/12/n...

npr.org

Easy-to-use solar panels are coming, but utilities are trying to delay them

Utilities are convincing lawmakers around the U.S. to delay bills that would allow people to buy solar panels, plug them into an outlet and begin generating electricity.

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Powerful piece by @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social “When I saw clinical trials cut short with callous disregard for participant safety, court orders ignored to achieve political ends, & mission-critical colleagues fired based on false accusations of poor performance, I first spoke up inside the NIH.”

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Onisillos @onisillos.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

"How a country controls measles can be viewed as a proxy for how well it would control many other diseases." Oh dear... theconversation.com/we-study-pan...

theconversation.com

We study pandemics, and the resurgence of measles is a grim sign of what’s coming

Controlling the spread of many infections, including measles, depends on trust in public health, which is eroding.

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

No traumatizing shirt and 🧦 today for my nurse despite encouragement from my rheumatologist 😂😂 but finally back to doing double duty: work and infusions for the RA Tired: ✅ Happy: ✅ If you can, and where you can, find your silver linings and absurdities that make you laugh

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Timothy Caulfield @caulfieldtim.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Yep. The U.S. lies are deadly & despicable. A global threat. 👇 ‘Viruses don’t know borders’: US anti-vaccine rhetoric could impact global measles crisis www.theguardian.com/society/2026... "The rhetoric that happens in the United States spills over across borders to other countries..."

theguardian.com

‘Viruses don’t know borders’: US anti-vaccine rhetoric could impact global measles crisis

Experts say global measles vaccination rates are falling as Trump officials signal a deprioritization of the virus

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

I hope you never know the pain of a doorbell being rung, a Chaplin at the 🚪 “I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. War is hell"

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Max Berger @maxberger.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Democrats should say that Trump’s attacks on Iran are unconstitutional. The American people do not want a war in Iran. The Congress did not authorize a war in Iran. It is an entirely illegitimate action that has no legal or constitutional basis. It is the act of a lawless regime.

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

@drcamidge.bsky.social thx for your vulnerability and honesty to give this talk at #TTLC and share it w/ the 🌍 when you didn’t have to As someone w/ 2 sign chronic illnesses thx for not being singular in talking about how illness impacts a 🧍‍♀️ and the impact of AEs on QOL youtu.be/cnh579D04QI

youtu.be

2026 IASLC Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer: Special Presentation by Dr. Ross Camidge

YouTube video by IASLC IASLC

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Did my care team shake their heads at me when I wore this shirt? Yes Did I take joy in following it up with my socks? Also yes Were both of these gifts from friends? Si In the words of Carrie Fisher, if it’s not funny it’s just true and that is sad and unacceptable

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

our healthcare system is so screwed up even if you have insurance A 16-yr-old kid is asking if it’s okay from him to tell his parents to let him die. Not because there isn’t treatment that could add tie or cure him but because it could bankrupt his parents and ruin their and his sisters lives

reddit.com

From the AITAH community on Reddit

Explore this post and more from the AITAH community

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

larryo99.bsky.social @larryo99.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Washington State Dept of Hlth: “The older adult male in Washington State who tested positive for avian flu in early November has died and was the first global human case of a rare H5N5 strain of the virus” #IDsky #Medsky www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...

medscape.com

Bird Flu Patient Dies From Rare Strain

Older adult male was the first confirmed human case of H5N5 variant globally.

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 29/11/2025

In a new leaked memo, the FDA outlined plans to make it much harder to get new vaccines approved, claiming, without sharing evidence, that the COVID vaccines have killed at least 10 children. This is so reckless. The science shows us that COVID vaccines have saved millions of lives.

Subject: Deaths in children due to COVID-19 vaccines and CBER’s path forward

Dear Team CBER,

I am writing to report that OBPV career staff have found that at least 10 children have died after and because of receiving COVID-19 vaccination. These deaths arerelated to vaccination (likely/probable/possible attribution made by staff). That number is certainly an underestimate due to underreporting, and inherent bias in attribution.

….

For the first time, the US FDA will acknowledge that COVID-19 vaccines have killed American children. Healthy young children who faced tremendously low risk of death were coerced, at the behest of the Biden administration, via school and work mandates, to receive a vaccine that could result in death. In many cases, such mandates were harmful. It is difficult to read cases where kids aged 7 to 16 may be dead as a result of covid vaccines.

….

Putting these facts together, it is horrifying to consider that the US vaccine regulation, including our actions, may have harmed more children than we saved. This requires humility and introspection.

Vinay Prasad MD MPH
CBER Director, CMSO US FDA

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Due to illness a little late to the game… But more than ever it will take a community effort to address food insecurity I have the benefit of having the ability to help No one should ever be hungry Thanks to all involved in #HCWvsHunger for all they do to make this happen

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Lauren Underwood @laurenunderwood.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Today, after months of requests, I toured the Broadview ICE Processing Facility. I want to share what I saw. The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

He needs to be removed yesterday…this move will be written in children’s and immunocompromised ppl’s blood

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

PedsHemeDoc @pedshemedoc.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Vaccines DO NOT cause autism - there is extensive research showing this. Resurrecting old, discredited, fraudulent work is shameful. Vaccine-preventable illnesses are serious - this is going to cause real harms. This is dangerous & disappointing.

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Ed Belongia MD @belongia.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

The CDC website is peddling false information about autism. 👉 Do not trust CDC for vaccine info or guidance 👉 Look to professional orgs or Public Health Canada (NACI) for unbiased, evidence-based guidance Gift link: wapo.st/4idz3Wn

wapo.st

CDC in turmoil after agency backpedals on debunking vaccines-autism link

The CDC’s website now says health authorities ignored evidence of a potential connection between vaccines and autism, despite dozens of studies showing no link.

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

“only an estimated 1 in 5 eligible individuals in the United States received lung cancer screening (LCS) in 2024, and increasing current uptake to 100% could raise the number of lung cancer deaths prevented and life-years-gained by three-fold” #lcsm jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

jamanetwork.com

Lung Cancer Deaths Prevented and Life-Years Gained From Lung Cancer Screening

This study examines the current national prevalence of up-to-date lung cancer screening and estimates lung cancer deaths prevented and life-years gained from screening.

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

It would have been Jei’s 51st birthday today Some days the grief hits hard even though it’s been 5.5 yrs like when I saw an honor flight at the Vietnam Memorial shortly before Veterans Day He took such pride in bringing folks home and giving families closure To remember is to honor

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Bakers half dozen in medical appts this week 1st ✅ done Being chronically ill is its own full time job esp in the U.S. When you are stuck in a 🪑 for hrs, you need something cheery, so I brought a reminder of friends (yes that’s 3 hello kitty stickers🙄) n travels Remind me to just say no to 7 am

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

A yr ago today I was being released from the hospital after nearly dying and having emergency surgery for a hole in my GI due to one of the 💊 for my RA All b/c my insurance thought they knew better than my MD and I I will forever remain at ⬆️ of GI perforations Despite that

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Pete Buttigieg @petebuttigieg.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

No, JD, belonging in America does not depend on how many generations of your family have lived here. The values of this country matter - deeply - to who we are and what it means to be American.

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

sara g miller @saragmiller.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Earlier this week, the FDA said that new clinical trials would be needed to give updated Covid vaccines to healthy kids and adults. An FDA advisory panel today recommended keeping the next round of shots the same - so will new clinical trials still be needed? It is unclear! @berkeleyjr.bsky.social

nbcnews.com

FDA panel says Covid vaccines can stay the same for fall amid access concerns

Committee members said they struggled with the decision. The FDA doesn't need to follow the panel's advice.

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

wyotitania @wyotitania.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

The way they choose to frame the amazing access we have to lifesaving vaccines is just maddening. Let me fix that for them - We're giving kids more vaccines to keep them safe from dangerous infectious diseases? What a remarkable achievement! Let's keep up this important work!

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

If you live in South Dakota Senator Rounds is seeking feedback on where the country is headed… How he could not understand all the cuts to education, science and healthcare hurt the U.S. economy is beyond me but maybe you want to let him know…

outreach.senate.gov

Survey

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

We need politicians with spines that reign in the chaos and protect our standing and foundation in innovative medical science This also leaves many patients in the U.S. out to die Not that I blame any company taking this route …

reuters.com

Upheaval at FDA pushes some biotech firms to move early trials out of US

Worry is growing that layoffs and policy changes at the drugs watchdog may delay regulatory reviews.

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Believe ppl when they show you who they are Sometimes silence, letting dominos fall where they may is warranted Especially if someone diminishes you and your voice And if you fall down when someone tries to shrink you That’s ok Just remember you hold w/in yourself the strength to get back up

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

“depositions filed in the case last week, two NIH officials testified that DOGE itself gave directions in hundreds of grant terminations. The lawsuit offers an unprecedented view into the termination of more than 600 grants at the NIH over the past two months.”

propublica.org

Trump’s NIH Axed Research Grants Even After a Judge Blocked the Cuts, Internal Records Show

A lawsuit led by the Washington state attorney general offers an unprecedented view of the termination of more than 600 NIH grants, including transgender research grants threatened by Trump’s executiv...

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Ryan Marino, MD @ryanmarino.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

It’s a pure fallacy to say that the best way to become immune is by getting infected. Even more bonkers in the case of measles is that the measles virus can wipe out ALL former immunity to other infections, meaning even if you don’t get that sick from measles you’re gonna get sick all the time after

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Tara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

This isn't a new product. It's an updated vaccine to account for new strains and viral evolution. Are they going to do this for all COVID and influenza vaccines yearly? Because that effectively shuts them down. There isn't enough time between identification of strains included & release of vaccine.

Tweet from Marty Makary "To be clear, this is a new product that Novavax is trying to introduce to the market with a study of a different product from 2021. New products require new clinical studies.

Under this administration, we are prioritizing the Gold Standard of Science--not what saves pharma companies "tens of millions of dollars."" Included is a headline saying "FDA Asks Vaccine Maker to complete new clinical trial for delayed COVID-19 shot A new randomized study could cost Novavax tens of millions of dollars, vaccine experts say."

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Tara Herrmann, PhD @tlblase.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

If ykmyk 1 of my pet peeves is ⏰ and $$ toxicity associated w/ cancer care Often families cannot $$$ quality time together Lighthouse Family retreats gives them that ⏰ My sis is taking my niece to show her why its important we take care of others and give back/volunteer

lighthousefamilyretreat.gomethod.app

Retreat 12 - June 22-28, 2025 - Florida

Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025

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Alyssa Burgart, MD, MA (BurgartBioethix) @alyssaburgart.com · 18/04/2025

When RFK Jr denigrates kids with disabilities, he’s talking about the patients I care for every day. Whether or not a person ever plays baseball is not the metric we use to consider human value and flourishing. When RFK Jr laments the existence of children who will never work or

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Joshua J. Friedman @joshuajfriedman.com · 03/04/2025

NEW: Tufts files a declaration in support of Rümeysa Öztürk: "The University has no information to support the allegations that she was engaged in activities at Tufts that warrant her arrest and detention." www.tufts.edu/president/sp...

4. With her consent, the University can confirm that Ms. Oztürk is a third-year doctoral student in good academic and administrative standing. Her research focuses on how young adults can use social media in positive, prosocial ways and she is described by her faculty as a hard-working student dedicated to her studies and the Tufts community. The University has no information to support the allegations that she was engaged in activities at Tufts that warrant her arrest and detention. The University has seen an outpouring of support for Ms. Öztürk over the last week from Tufts students, faculty and staff. These individuals have described Ms. Öztürk as a valued member of the community, dedicated to her academic pursuits and committed to her colleagues.

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Thanh Neville, MD, MSHS @thanh-neville.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

#ICU nurses at #LAGeneral Medical Center are prepping these glass vials to hold the EKG rhythm strips of a dying patient to gift to the family. These "heartbeats in a bottle" don't cost much at all but are so cherished by grieving families. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social #KindnessMatters #EOLcare

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 03/04/2025

One thing about today's tariff shitshow is that congress could undo all this nonsense tonight and the damage would still be huge, because these actions have decisively signaled that the US is an unreliable international trading partner—and this impacts political and economic strategy worldwide.

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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Historians of white supremacy passing the flame to historians of the Great Depression in the world's saddest Olympic torch relay.

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Reposted by Tara Herrmann, PhD

Molly (they/them) 🏳️‍⚧️ @epi-nymph.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

If I wanted the best immunity to infectious diseases generally, not only would I get vaccinated for everything but I would also SPECIFICALLY avoid measles. It literally wipes out your immunity to other infections (whether that was gained by vaccine or prior infection)

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