1/ Happy Friday California! There's a lot going on this week from Covid surges and RSV vaccine news to new laws protecting abortion and vaccine access. Here’s your weekly #publichealth update 👇

1/ Hey New York! We’ve got a lot tot talk about this week, so let’s dive in. This week’s #publichealth updates: Covid, vaccines, Legionnaires’, West Nile, and even a new grassroots movement for immunizations. Here’s what you need to know 👇

1/ Today and tomorrow, #ACIP —the external body that sets vaccine policy—is holding a special session. One item on the agenda is the highly anticipated vote for the Covid vaccine. We’re expecting VAERS data to be misused to suggest 25 pediatric deaths were caused by the vaccine. Here are the facts👇

1/ As you may know, on Thursday & Friday, ACIP—the external body that sets vaccine policy—will hold a special session. They are discussing three vaccines, one of which is the Hepatitis B (HepB) birth dose. Some false claims are likely to spread about this vaccine. Here’s what you should know 👇

1/ On Thurs and Fri, ACIP—the external body that sets vaccine policy—will hold a special session. The MMRV vaccine will be discussed and we’re expecting a few falsehoods to start making the rounds about the vaccine and febrile seizures. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you should know👇

1/ You're going to see #vaccine headlines a lot this week. And I know you've probably been seeing a lot of them, but I mean more than usual. This week is a big week for vaccine access, because there will be two key developments in the vaccine policy space this week 👇

1/ Happy Monday! Today we're covering disease and vaccine news, as well as another public health crisis: the reality that gun violence is a #publichealth problem in the United States, and guns are the number one killer of children. Public health is about protecting health and safety in every sense.👇

1/ Hey California! This week we have big updates on Covid, vaccine access, and a new concern: kratom. Here’s what’s happening, what it means for our health, and how to stay protected 👇

1/ Big vaccine news for New York! Last week, Gov. Hochul signed Executive Order 52 to make #Covid-19vaccines more available. You can now get a shot at a pharmacy without a prescription. Here’s why this matters, what it means for you, and what’s next 👇

1/ Pharmaceutical ads in the United States are annoying. Absurd. And almost uniquely American. This week, a new executive memo and an accompanying #FDA press release claimed to step up enforcement against drug ads. But why haven’t we stopped them already? Let’s break down the top questions. 🧵

1/ Covid-19 vaccine access in the U.S. right now depends on your zip code. Even people 65+ or high risk face different rules across state lines. And if you’re younger and healthy, access is basically blocked, except in a few states. Let's break down state variability for Covid-19 vaccine access🧵

1/ Happy Tuesday! This week’s update is a day late because I spent the weekend fully unplugging with friends—highly recommend. That said, today we're breaking down Covid-19 vaccine access, flu on the horizon, grandparents organizing, Florida’s school rollback, and food safety cuts. Let’s dive 👇

1/ Fall 2025 #vaccines are here: flu, RSV, and Covid-19. Keeping track of them isn’t always easy—especially with Covid-19 guidance in flux—but clarity is the antidote to confusion. But you know what? Clarity is the antidote to confusion and that’s what I’m providing today. 👇

1/ Hey California! It’s the start of September and many of you are asking: when will winter virus season begin? And, more importantly, when should we get vaccinated? Today, I'm taking a look at the wastewater date across the state for RSV, flu and Covid. Here’s what I'm seeing 👇

1/ Happy Friday California! This week brings promising news on #vaccines, some clarity on confusing rollout rules, and a food safety alert that might be sitting in your fridge. Let’s dive in 👇

1/ Fall is around the corner, which means Covid, flu & RSV are gearing up. The good news: we’ve got #vaccines for all 3. But in NY, Covid vaccines are a bit of a confusing mess this year. Here’s what’s going on 👇

1/ Florida is moving to roll back school immunization requirements. That means the protections we’ve long relied on to keep measles, mumps, and polio out of classrooms could (and likely will) rapidly decrease.

1/ The word of the year should be courage. Last week, CDC leaders refused to alter science for politics, even when it meant losing their jobs. They walked away with no safety net, choosing to protect the public over protecting themselves.

1/ Hey New York! This week’s #publichealth updates: Covid, Legionnaires’ reflections, malaria, West Nile, measles, lead testing, back-to-school vaccines, and a tragic bus crash that strained the blood supply. Here’s what you need to know 👇

1/ The FDA just changed the Covid vaccine access to 65+ and immunocompromised. I'm getting a lot of questions, so I’m going to do my best to answer them with the information that is currently available. Here are a few of your top questions answered 👇

1/ Happy Thursday California! This week I’ve got a few #publichealth updates before we head into the weekend: a plague case in Tahoe, rising COVID levels, wildfire smoke, and a proposal for a new food allergy bill. Here’s what it means for your health 👇

CDC employees are walking out in light of the mass shootings, firings, and *waves hands in the air* everything else. #USANotRFK

1/ Last night, RFK Jr. ousted the CDC Director for refusing to rubber-stamp unscientific and reckless directives. In its wake, three senior CDC officials also resigned.

1/ Yesterday, the FDA changed the license for the #Covidvaccine. The vaccine label has been limited to everyone over 65 and for those 6 months through 64 years old with at least one condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. This is a deep dive to bring you up to date👇

1/ Happy Monday! While summer winds down and my daughter heads to first grade (cue the usual mix of pride and twenty forgotten forms), #publichealth is heating up. From Covid-19 to radioactive shrimp and flying maggots—here’s what’s happening and what it means for you 👇

1/ Hey California! This week I’ve got issues on four public health updates of you: Covid’s summer surge, an emerging disease threat (New World Screwworm), a judge defending science, and support for our public health workers. Here’s what Californians need to know 👇

1/ Happy Thursday New York! We’ve talked about the ongoing #Legionnaires’disease outbreak in New York City in the last few updates and this week, we’re taking a closer look at the illness. Even if you aren’t in NYC, much of this information can apply to outbreaks elsewhere. Let’s dive in. 👇

Thinking something through for a future newsletter. What questions do you have around pesticides, farming, and food?

1/ Popping back in with another #fallvaccine update. 👇 In case you missed it, Friday (or soon after) the FDA is expected to license the Covid-19 vaccine. Word is that the label will be restricted to adults 65+ and people at high risk. But a few organizations have made different recommendations.

The current and former CDC, NIH, and HHS staff released a response to the Aug. 8th attack. If you're looking for a way to show healthcare workers your support, it's open for the public to sign 👇 www.savehhs.org/letter/hhs-s...

1/ Quick update on #fallvaccines: Flu and RSV vaccines remain business as usual this fall: if you’re eligible, you should be able to get them without issue. Vaccinations should start in September. Covid-19 vaccines are another story. There will be three key developments this week 👇

1/ Happy Monday! We're halfway through August and the #publichealth scene is buzzing. This week we’re watching the Covid-19 wave, alpha-gal syndrome, leaked MAHA plans, mRNA funding cuts, and… where is bird flu? Here’s what you need to know. 👇

1/ Hey New York! This week I’ve got a bunch of #publichealth updates for you: West Nile Virus, COVID-19, harmful algal blooms, and hand, foot & mouth disease. Plus, a note on supporting our public health workers. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe and informed 👇

1/ Hey California! This week I’ve got updates on three #publichealth fronts: measles, wildfire health impacts, COVID-19, and supporting public health workers. Here’s what Californians need to know to stay safe and informed 👇

1/ It’s been a struggle to process what happened at the CDC just a few days ago. The facts are coming in: one officer died, 500 rounds fired, 200 bullets made contact with 6 CDC buildings, hundreds of staff sheltered in place for hours. The intention is undeniable: this was an attempted massacre.

On Friday, my phone lit up with urgent texts. First: gunshots, lockdown. Then the photos—bullet holes punched through windows, shell casings scattered across the floor, videos echoing with “pop pop pop.” The CDC campus was under attack. Dozens of my friends and colleagues were inside.

1/ Hey New York! This week, I’ve got updates on three infectious disease fronts: A growing Legionnaires’ cluster in Harlem, an increase in West Nile Virus across the state, and rabies warnings in Nassau County. Here’s what New Yorkers need to know to stay informed and safe right now.👇

1/ It’s been 5.5 years (!!) since this newsletter began and what a ride it’s been. Together, we’ve weathered a pandemic, tackled falsehoods, and built a public health community grounded in curiosity, empowerment, and clarity. Now, we have a big announcement!

1/ Hey, do you need some good news? I know I do. I see so much bad news, but stopping and celebrating the good news has really helped me. Here are four #publichealth wins to give you some good news for the week👇

1/ Last night, RFK Jr. announced the cancellation of $500 million in mRNA vaccine research. This means 22 projects, many in active clinical trials, are just... stopped. RFK Jr. stated the #mRNA "poses more risks than benefits," but that claim is simply not backed by science. 🧵

1/ Two weeks ago, RFK Jr. convened a panel to "review" the safety of #SSRIs during pregnancy. Of the 10 panelists, 9 were known critics of antidepressants. What followed was a deeply misleading and dangerous discussion. 👇

Let’s talk about science, baby. Let’s talk about empathy. Let’s talk about all we do know. And all we don’t know, that may be. Let’s talk about science. 🧵 Keep reading for a health communication crash course 1/10 @kmpanthagani.bsky.social @meganranney.bsky.social @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social

1/ Happy Monday! August is here and the #publichealth scene is buzzing. From Covid-19 surges to mosquito season, vaccine concerns, and more—here’s what you need to know right now. Let’s dive in. 👇

1/ As I'm sure you've heard by now, we're saying goodbye to #highfructosecornsyrup (HFCS) in Coke and cane sugar Coke is re-entering the U.S. market. Some people are celebrating it as a massive win for health. But is this swap actually going to fix health problems? Let’s break it down. 🧵

1/ This week in New York #publichealth: A mass shooting in Midtown, rising COVID-19 levels, and a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem. Here’s what New Yorkers need to know to stay informed and safe right now.👇

1/ A few months ago, some of us in public health started meeting with folks from the Make America Healthy Again #MAHA movement. Over that time, I've shared some of what we've learned from them and what I hope they've learned from us. Now, we’re taking action and building something together. 🧵

1/ Last week, RFK Jr’s FDA convened a panel to review the safety of #SSRIs (a class of antidepressants) during pregnancy. Of the 10 panelists, 9 were known critics of antidepressants, many with conflicts of interest. The conversation focused almost entirely on risks—ignoring critical context. 🧵

1/ It’s midsummer, and #publichealth is heating up: Covid-19 is rising, humidity is thick with “corn sweat,” and a heated debate on antidepressants in pregnancy is underway. Plus, new science on step goals and some good news! Let’s dive in. 🧵

1/ #Publichealth is a field where the challenges are urgent and constant, and sometimes it’s easy to miss the progress. That’s why we want to take a minute to showcase some real signs of what public health can accomplish 👇

1/ This week in NY #publichealth: West Nile Virus in NY, COVID levels rising in NYC, measles in NJ, a peak at air quality, and some good news. Whether you're heading outdoors or traveling, here’s what’s going on and what to watch for.🧵