Amy Maxmen, PhD
@amymaxmen.bsky.social
Award-winning public health reporter at KFF Health News. Bylines at Nature, New York Times, National Geographic & more. [email protected] Signal: AmyMaxmen.25 www.amymaxmen.com & https://kffhealthnews.org/news/author/amy-maxmen
Pinned
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
🔔 When Trump posted a video of budget director Russell Vought as the grim reaper, public health workers recognized a kernel of truth.
My latest piece @kffhealthnews.org couldn't be more important. Art by the incredible @oonazenda.bsky.social
🧵
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
My latest piece @kffhealthnews.org couldn't be more important. Art by the incredible @oonazenda.bsky.social
🧵
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
Since 2005, the number of wild and domesticated birds H5N1 has killed is greater than the combined human populations of the U.S. and Russia. On this week's episode, why this version of avian influenza won’t go away. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/flu...
November 24, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Since 2005, the number of wild and domesticated birds H5N1 has killed is greater than the combined human populations of the U.S. and Russia. On this week's episode, why this version of avian influenza won’t go away. bigpicturescience.org/episodes/flu...
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15 years ago, @theopennotebook.bsky.social started as a labor of love. Today, TON is a leading source of training, mentoring, & professional support for journalists worldwide. We need your help now more than ever. Please help make sure this critical work continues. Donations will be matched!
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
www.theopennotebook.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:22 PM
If you're looking to support journalism, particularly science journalism, I can't think of a better place to give. The Open Notebook builds community and could really use the support.
On Friday, Washington reported that the person hospitalized with the bird flu H5N5 has died.
The CDC's bird flu tracker hasn't updated to include the death. I haven't seen a press release. Last year, that would have at least been scheduled by now. doh.wa.gov/newsroom/gra...
The CDC's bird flu tracker hasn't updated to include the death. I haven't seen a press release. Last year, that would have at least been scheduled by now. doh.wa.gov/newsroom/gra...
Grays Harbor County resident dies from complications of avian influenza
For immediate release: November 21, 2025 (25-140) Contact: DOH Communications The person was infected with the H5N5 virus; the risk to the public remains low OLYMPIA – A Grays Harbor County resident w...
doh.wa.gov
November 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
On Friday, Washington reported that the person hospitalized with the bird flu H5N5 has died.
The CDC's bird flu tracker hasn't updated to include the death. I haven't seen a press release. Last year, that would have at least been scheduled by now. doh.wa.gov/newsroom/gra...
The CDC's bird flu tracker hasn't updated to include the death. I haven't seen a press release. Last year, that would have at least been scheduled by now. doh.wa.gov/newsroom/gra...
🤔
As I was leaving I saw out of the corner of my eye former CDC director Robert Redfield out of the corner of my eye.
I figured I had to go see if he's speak with me. And he did:
“We didn’t have anything like this” during Trump 1.0, he told me. “Bobby has gotten industry to sit down with him.”
I figured I had to go see if he's speak with me. And he did:
“We didn’t have anything like this” during Trump 1.0, he told me. “Bobby has gotten industry to sit down with him.”
November 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
🤔
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
Republicans increasingly oppose requiring healthy kids to get MMR vaccines to attend public schools
2016 19%
2019 20%
2023 42%
2025 47%
www.pewresearch.org/science/2025... 🧪
2016 19%
2019 20%
2023 42%
2025 47%
www.pewresearch.org/science/2025... 🧪
November 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Republicans increasingly oppose requiring healthy kids to get MMR vaccines to attend public schools
2016 19%
2019 20%
2023 42%
2025 47%
www.pewresearch.org/science/2025... 🧪
2016 19%
2019 20%
2023 42%
2025 47%
www.pewresearch.org/science/2025... 🧪
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
it’s weird knowing we all read the same disgusting document
November 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM
it’s weird knowing we all read the same disgusting document
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
Now that’s a lede.
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
November 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Now that’s a lede.
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
HEADS UP: CDC website now officially asserts that vaccines may cause autism.“Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.” Also says the “vaccines do not cause autism” header remains b/c of an agreement with Cassidy.
November 20, 2025 at 2:53 AM
HEADS UP: CDC website now officially asserts that vaccines may cause autism.“Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.” Also says the “vaccines do not cause autism” header remains b/c of an agreement with Cassidy.
The CDC tracker now says 960+ people exposed to H5 (usually farmworkers) have been tested since March 2024. So 80 people were tested in the last few days, or the tracker wasn't updating for some time. (I'd guess the latter)
Glad to see SOME testing. Unfortunately, the tracker may not be reliable.
Glad to see SOME testing. Unfortunately, the tracker may not be reliable.
According to CDC's tracker, about 870 farmworkers had been tested for bird flu between March 2024 and March 2025. Another 10 were tested in April. Zero since then 🙃
See for yourself @waybackmachine.bsky.social www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-...
See for yourself @waybackmachine.bsky.social www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-...
November 19, 2025 at 9:23 PM
The CDC tracker now says 960+ people exposed to H5 (usually farmworkers) have been tested since March 2024. So 80 people were tested in the last few days, or the tracker wasn't updating for some time. (I'd guess the latter)
Glad to see SOME testing. Unfortunately, the tracker may not be reliable.
Glad to see SOME testing. Unfortunately, the tracker may not be reliable.
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
I’ve been tracking and writing about Brownstone since December 2021 and it’s really validating to see these pieces.
Solid write-up from KFF on its influence. One thing left out: The group helped steer the GOP House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic long before Trump took office.
Solid write-up from KFF on its influence. One thing left out: The group helped steer the GOP House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic long before Trump took office.
A Small Texas Think Tank Cultivated Covid Dissidents. Now They’re Running US Health Policy. - KFF Health News
Fueled by covid backlash, a libertarian author created the Brownstone Institute in 2021. In recent months, people with ties to the group have catapulted to the highest levels of U.S. government, exerc...
kffhealthnews.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I’ve been tracking and writing about Brownstone since December 2021 and it’s really validating to see these pieces.
Solid write-up from KFF on its influence. One thing left out: The group helped steer the GOP House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic long before Trump took office.
Solid write-up from KFF on its influence. One thing left out: The group helped steer the GOP House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic long before Trump took office.
The Brownstone Institute, whose members now run US health policy, is funded by a subset of people who support prominent groups in conservative politics, such as the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation.
By @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
By @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
A Small Texas Think Tank Cultivated Covid Dissidents. Now They’re Running US Health Policy. - KFF Health News
Fueled by covid backlash, a libertarian author created the Brownstone Institute in 2021. In recent months, people with ties to the group have catapulted to the highest levels of U.S. government, exerc...
kffhealthnews.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The Brownstone Institute, whose members now run US health policy, is funded by a subset of people who support prominent groups in conservative politics, such as the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation.
By @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
By @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
I spoke with the Boston Globe about the Summers situation
TLDR: other professors like myself can no longer trust Summers to perform a key duty of a university professor, which is to advise & mentor students
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/18/m...
TLDR: other professors like myself can no longer trust Summers to perform a key duty of a university professor, which is to advise & mentor students
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/18/m...
Long a coveted voice, Larry Summers withdraws from a half-dozen groups amid Epstein ties. Harvard’s not among them. - The Boston Globe
Former Harvard president Larry Summers is no longer affiliated with a series of centers and think tanks with which he’s long been involved, officials confirmed Tuesday.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I spoke with the Boston Globe about the Summers situation
TLDR: other professors like myself can no longer trust Summers to perform a key duty of a university professor, which is to advise & mentor students
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/18/m...
TLDR: other professors like myself can no longer trust Summers to perform a key duty of a university professor, which is to advise & mentor students
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/18/m...
This is such a great read.
For months, I’ve been following a Canadian ostrich farm ordered to cull its flock after a bird flu outbreak. It was a cause célèbre for MAHA activists, a MAGA billionaire, and, of course, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The trucker convoy with birds ended last night. They lost. www.msnbc.com/news/news-an...
Why the conspiratorial right rallied around a flock of ostriches
The anti-vaccine, anti-government crusade to save "the miracle cure birds" is over — and the fringe activists lost.
www.msnbc.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:22 AM
This is such a great read.
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
We've got a MASSIVE DEEP-DIVE rebuttal to the NIH leadership’s recent essay. They're arguing for a head-in-the-sand approach to pandemic preparedness.
The great @angierasmussen.bsky.social joins me in an extraordinarily detailed, line-by-line fact check.
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/a-rebuttal...
The great @angierasmussen.bsky.social joins me in an extraordinarily detailed, line-by-line fact check.
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/a-rebuttal...
A rebuttal to NIH leadership's screed against pandemic preparedness.
Dr. Angela Rasmussen joins Inside Medicine for a tag-team response to a poorly reasoned essay by NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and his deputy, Dr. Matthew Memoli.
insidemedicine.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:54 PM
We've got a MASSIVE DEEP-DIVE rebuttal to the NIH leadership’s recent essay. They're arguing for a head-in-the-sand approach to pandemic preparedness.
The great @angierasmussen.bsky.social joins me in an extraordinarily detailed, line-by-line fact check.
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/a-rebuttal...
The great @angierasmussen.bsky.social joins me in an extraordinarily detailed, line-by-line fact check.
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/a-rebuttal...
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
NEW: An Irish tourist visiting the US was jailed by ICE for 3 months after overstaying 3 days due to medical issue. Thomas agreed to be deported, but instead went to federal prison where he recounted horrific conditions + no medical care.
“Nobody's safe from the system if they get pulled into it"
“Nobody's safe from the system if they get pulled into it"
Irish tourist jailed by Ice for months after overstaying US visit by three days: ‘Nobody is safe’
Exclusive: For roughly 100 days, Thomas says he faced harsh detention conditions, despite agreeing to deportation
www.theguardian.com
July 15, 2025 at 6:41 PM
NEW: An Irish tourist visiting the US was jailed by ICE for 3 months after overstaying 3 days due to medical issue. Thomas agreed to be deported, but instead went to federal prison where he recounted horrific conditions + no medical care.
“Nobody's safe from the system if they get pulled into it"
“Nobody's safe from the system if they get pulled into it"
"Watson’s legacy can — and should be — that the very science his research and leadership enabled disproves his own unfortunate and simplistic view of the human condition."
From @cbo.bsky.social & @sramach.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/14/o...
From @cbo.bsky.social & @sramach.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/14/o...
What James Watson got wrong about DNA - The Boston Globe
The science he helped pioneer consistently undermines his view that genes determine everything about us.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:12 PM
"Watson’s legacy can — and should be — that the very science his research and leadership enabled disproves his own unfortunate and simplistic view of the human condition."
From @cbo.bsky.social & @sramach.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/14/o...
From @cbo.bsky.social & @sramach.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/14/o...
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
“In Texas, CDC funds to stem a measles outbreak weren’t available until after the crisis had subsided and two children had died. A project to protect Alabamans from raw sewage and hookworm was abandoned…Time-dependent surveys on HIV and maternal mortality were halted…”
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
November 12, 2025 at 1:13 AM
“In Texas, CDC funds to stem a measles outbreak weren’t available until after the crisis had subsided and two children had died. A project to protect Alabamans from raw sewage and hookworm was abandoned…Time-dependent surveys on HIV and maternal mortality were halted…”
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
Gift link to NYT article about the corruption of DOJ. One former insider says “I wouldn’t even call it the Justice Department anymore. It’s become Trump’s personal law firm. … [T]he American people should be enraged.”
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
60 Attorneys on the Year of Chaos Inside Trump’s Justice Department (Gift Article)
Sixty former staffers describe an environment of suspicion and intimidation within the nation’s most powerful law enforcement agency.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Gift link to NYT article about the corruption of DOJ. One former insider says “I wouldn’t even call it the Justice Department anymore. It’s become Trump’s personal law firm. … [T]he American people should be enraged.”
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
"No one thought this was possible or legal, but that is what's happening"
Red tape and budget constraints: How the White House is undercutting public health
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment and dementia care.
abcnews.go.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
"No one thought this was possible or legal, but that is what's happening"
“I am deep in research on inflammation and regeneration. … Currently fasting between 2pm and 6am,” Elizabeth Holmes tweets from prison.
ln May, pro-Holmes billboards appeared in LA, NY & Florida claiming she is innocent.
Perhaps she senses this is her moment to rise. sfstandard.com/2025/09/02/e...
ln May, pro-Holmes billboards appeared in LA, NY & Florida claiming she is innocent.
Perhaps she senses this is her moment to rise. sfstandard.com/2025/09/02/e...
Elizabeth Holmes is Bryan Johnson’s newest reply-guy on X
Holmes’s X account is active, but prison rules forbid direct social media posting.
sfstandard.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:38 PM
“I am deep in research on inflammation and regeneration. … Currently fasting between 2pm and 6am,” Elizabeth Holmes tweets from prison.
ln May, pro-Holmes billboards appeared in LA, NY & Florida claiming she is innocent.
Perhaps she senses this is her moment to rise. sfstandard.com/2025/09/02/e...
ln May, pro-Holmes billboards appeared in LA, NY & Florida claiming she is innocent.
Perhaps she senses this is her moment to rise. sfstandard.com/2025/09/02/e...
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
Highly pathogenic H5N5 avian flu has mostly been detected in wild birds and transmitted from Europe to N. America by pelagic seabirds. Mammals (seals, walrus, cats) have been infected, but this is the 1st documented human case. Some have a PB2-E627K mutation known to facilitate mammalian adaptation.
A case in WA of H5N5 (not H5N1), a strain of avian influenza not seen in humans before:
“This is a severely ill patient,” hospitalized w/ high fever, confusion & respiratory distress, said the state epidemiologist.
They have a mixed backyard flock...
1/2
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
“This is a severely ill patient,” hospitalized w/ high fever, confusion & respiratory distress, said the state epidemiologist.
They have a mixed backyard flock...
1/2
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
First U.S. case of human bird flu in 9 months confirmed in Washington state
The U.S. has reported its first human case of bird flu since February, with a confirmed infection in Washington state
www.washingtonpost.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Highly pathogenic H5N5 avian flu has mostly been detected in wild birds and transmitted from Europe to N. America by pelagic seabirds. Mammals (seals, walrus, cats) have been infected, but this is the 1st documented human case. Some have a PB2-E627K mutation known to facilitate mammalian adaptation.
Correction: Apparently it’s a different strain of bird flu, H5N5
A person hospitalized in Washington has tested positive for H5N1, pending confirmatory testing (because that's the system).
First *KNOWN* case this year. Under the Trump admin, the CDC has barely tested any farmworkers for H5N1.
First *KNOWN* case this year. Under the Trump admin, the CDC has barely tested any farmworkers for H5N1.
Preliminary human bird flu case reported in Washington state
If confirmed, it will be the first human bird flu case in the United States since February.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
If confirmed, it will be the first human bird flu case in the United States since February.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
November 15, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Correction: Apparently it’s a different strain of bird flu, H5N5
Reposted by Amy Maxmen, PhD
During the height of the pandemic, Tyson used Palantir to predict Covid-19 infections among meatpacking workers down to a nearly exactly figure. But rather than using this data to increase worker protections, Tyson used it plan for labor shortages + plant closures
My latest for @sentientmedia.org
My latest for @sentientmedia.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:49 PM
During the height of the pandemic, Tyson used Palantir to predict Covid-19 infections among meatpacking workers down to a nearly exactly figure. But rather than using this data to increase worker protections, Tyson used it plan for labor shortages + plant closures
My latest for @sentientmedia.org
My latest for @sentientmedia.org
A person hospitalized in Washington has tested positive for H5N1, pending confirmatory testing (because that's the system).
First *KNOWN* case this year. Under the Trump admin, the CDC has barely tested any farmworkers for H5N1.
First *KNOWN* case this year. Under the Trump admin, the CDC has barely tested any farmworkers for H5N1.
Preliminary human bird flu case reported in Washington state
If confirmed, it will be the first human bird flu case in the United States since February.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
If confirmed, it will be the first human bird flu case in the United States since February.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
November 14, 2025 at 6:55 PM
A person hospitalized in Washington has tested positive for H5N1, pending confirmatory testing (because that's the system).
First *KNOWN* case this year. Under the Trump admin, the CDC has barely tested any farmworkers for H5N1.
First *KNOWN* case this year. Under the Trump admin, the CDC has barely tested any farmworkers for H5N1.