Dr. Heather Sue M. Rosen

Yet unsurprising.

When I was researching #risk mitigating behavior related to #covid19 one of the top reasons people did not take precautions was conflicting information from experts. I expect we will see similar patterns with other #vaccines now.

#publichealth #research #HHS

Exclusive: FDA staffers told that 'woman,' 'disabled' among banned words; White House says it’s an error A list with the file name "Prohibited words" has been circulating since at least last week in official work chats, according to two FDA scientists with direct knowledge of the matter.

Some Food and Drug Administration scientists have been told to stop using the words "woman," "disabled" and "elderly" in external communications, two sources familiar with the matter said, part of a list of banned terms that a White House spokesman said had misinterpreted Trump's executive order.

It should not need to be said but I’m case you didn’t know— #measles IS a big deal and is definitely not “just a rash” #PSA #publichealth

The number of comments I’ve seen in the last few days claiming otherwise is alarming.

Hundreds of people feared infected with measles in Texas The outbreak of measles in a small West Texas community may be worse than officials originally thought. They are scrambling to promote vaccinations.

According to the Houston Chronicle, public health officials in Texas think that there are likely 200-300 people now infected with measles. If confirmed, this outbreak is already out of control. H/t to @mickiemo.bsky.social for the heads up. www.chron.com/news/houston...

#AskAnInfectiousDiseaseDoc
For the next 24h ask me anything about infectious diseases and vaccines. I will try to answer your questions below.
Answers are not medical advice, just information and education.
I will try to do this periodically. Let's go!

It's incredibly disheartening to hear about dedicated public health professionals getting mass-laid off from CDC. Including first year epidemic intelligence service officers. This program has been the backbone of outbreak investigations in US since 1951. Decimating this workforce makes us less safe.

US flu reaches high severity status as deaths outpace COVID

The CDC says it's now classifying the flu season as high severity for all age-groups for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...

It is really short-sighted and stupid to be gutting public health and outbreak surveillance capacity right now:
- H5N1 nationwide - uncontrolled
- TB in Kansas - largest U.S outbreak
- Measles in Texas - Expanding
- Seasonal flu - Worst in 15 years
- Pertussis - outbreaks in multiple states.

Trending BETA What people are posting about. CDC Layoffs Texas Outbreak

This is not a good combination of trending topics 😬

A white woman in her early 30’s with red hair in a French braid, sitting on a tan couch decorated with pink and red hearts, wearing a red university of Georgia sweatshirt with black leggings. In one hand she holds a wooden “my first Valentine’s Day” sign shaped like a heart, the other hand holds a baby sitting on her lap wearing a red and grey onesie with the words “bee mine”. There are pink and red heart balloons on the wall in the background.

Tiny valentine 🥰

🥴

Thank you 😊

A white background with bold, black text that says, "ISN’T THE PANDEMIC OVER?" with the words "PANDEMIC OVER" in red. The WHN.global logo is in the top right corner, and a row of colorful dots appears at the top left.

A white background with a blue banner at the top that says "WHY MASK?" and the WHN.global logo in the top right corner. Below, a red button with white text reads "SHORT ANSWER." The text states: "The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the emergency phase over, but that doesn’t mean the pandemic itself has ended."

A white background with a blue banner at the top that says "WHY MASK?" and the WHN.global logo in the top right corner. Below, a red button with white text reads "DETAILED EXPLANATION." The text below says: In May 2023, the WHO announced that COVID-19 was no longer a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern,” which shifted the global response level. However, the WHO has repeatedly cautioned not to speak of COVID-19 in the past tense. New variants continue to emerge, and the virus is still causing significant illness and death around the world, even if hospitalizations aren’t at the peak they were before. Deciding whether to wear a well-fitted mask indoors is about limiting the spread of a virus that hasn’t vanished. Just because the emergency has passed doesn’t mean the risk is gone.

Though the WHO has concluded the emergency phase, COVID-19 continues to be a global concern with emerging variants and persistent infections. Learn why many continue to wear masks and the reasons everyone should consider doing so in our Q&A at whn.global/yes-we-conti....

#Masking #YallMasking

1. #CDC was allowed to publish FluView. Hooray.
10 more kids died this season from #flu; the new deaths occurred between the end of Dec & the beginning of Feb. To date CDC has been alerted to 57 pediatric deaths in 2024-25. Historically most kids who die from flu weren't vaxed.
chart=mine

That’s a great idea!

Perhaps for a bit of comfort we should do some watch-alongs or list recommendations for one-another? 😉 I'm rationing all the Valentine ones for next week.

A cream mini labradoodle laying on a baby playmat

Eli is a big fan of the kick piano mat, apparently it is a fantastic place for a nap.

#IYKYK #dog #labradoodle #kickpiano #purplemonkey

Ooh I love a good cheesy hallmark movie!

A baby doing tummy time on a yellow fuzzy blanket, facing away from the camera and looking at themself in the mirror.

In less dire news, we are working on rolling over here and discovering that mirrors are pretty cool toys 😎

#parenting #4months #milestones #baby #tummytime

What is everyone doing to take care of themselves through this shitshow? Like yes do the actions, but how are you keeping the tank full to make sure you can DO the things? I’ll go first—I’ve been reading a lot of fiction books. #USpol #SurvivingTrump2.0

Experts fear disruptions at FDA as Trump offers buyouts and layoff reports swirl The FDA is always trying to staff up, and already struggles to fulfill some duties.

With rumors swirling that agencies like #CDC & #FDA are about to face major layoffs, experts worry about how critical tasks — like conducting safety inspections at drug manufacturing plants — are going to proceed. @lizzylawrence.bsky.social reports. www.statnews.com/2025/02/07/f...

Warnock: "Donald Trump said he was going to allow Mr. Robert Kennedy to 'go wild' on health. 'Go wild.' Of all the things that I can think of that I'd like to see a secretary of health and human services do, 'go wild' is not on the list."

PLEASE SHARE 🧪‼️

Since CDC websites and datasets are being taken down by the Administration…

The ENTIRE archive of ALL CDC datasets uploaded BEFORE January 28th, 2025 can be found here: archive.org/details/2025...

Dipping my toes back in here after taking some time away to have a baby (!)

Missed y’all!

Hey #COVIDSafe #ZeroCovid #EpiSky crew, what are some Q's you've gotten more than once re: #Covid risk? How do you usually answer? #Science #PublicHealth

(answers, continued, tw NSFW)
5. Covid shouldn't hurt your eggs, but it might hurt your partner's sperm so STAY AWAY FROM THEM until you're negative and consider at-home insemination (turkey baster) if you're still testing positive at "go-time"

(answers, continued)
3. If kiddo can mask, they should mask at school, and you should advocate to have HEPA filters in their classroom, portable HEPA for kiddo to have at their desk
4. There is a high risk of infection right now when traveling especially by plane. Don't risk missing treatment. (ctn)

(answers, feel free to add suggestions in comments)
1. You aren't screwed, but you were probably exposed. Isolate, #mask if you have to go around others, test and lookout for symptoms
2. F has been exposed to #Covid, seeing them is very risky. If you want to avoid covid, I would wait to see F. (ctn)

(questions, continued)
4. I was supposed to travel to see F but if I get #Covid I have to delay important medical treatment, should I skip it?
5. I have Covid and my sperm-producing partner doesn't, is it safe to continue fertility treatments as long as he stays negative or are my eggs ruined? (ctn)