Bénédicte C
@benecal.bsky.social
Biosciences & Tech policy
Post about research, innovation, public health, politics & policy making, regulation, disinfo
She/Her/Antifacist
Post about research, innovation, public health, politics & policy making, regulation, disinfo
She/Her/Antifacist
Pinned
Whopper of the Week: RFK Jr’s Bogus Attacks on Mifepristone Threaten Abortion Access | Defend Public Health
Secretary Kennedy has repeatedly challenged the safety of mifepristone, one of two drugs used in most abortions. Hundreds of studies using decades of data have conclusively shown that mifepristone is ...
www.defendpublichealth.org
Whopper of the Week: RFK Jr’s Bogus Attacks on Mifepristone Threaten Abortion Access
RFK Jr is not waiting for the FDA study of Mifepristone to come out to cast doubt on its safety. Trump administration is already restricting access to it.
www.defendpublichealth.org/opinion/whop...
RFK Jr is not waiting for the FDA study of Mifepristone to come out to cast doubt on its safety. Trump administration is already restricting access to it.
www.defendpublichealth.org/opinion/whop...
Reposted by Bénédicte C
FIRE is a right-wing organisation funded by Charles Koch and a host of other hard-line conservatives. It’s sought to sand off the sharpest edges of its right-wing reputation but its positions are still hard core: It supports conversion therapy and defends anti-trans groups.
February 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM
FIRE is a right-wing organisation funded by Charles Koch and a host of other hard-line conservatives. It’s sought to sand off the sharpest edges of its right-wing reputation but its positions are still hard core: It supports conversion therapy and defends anti-trans groups.
Reposted by Bénédicte C
This story and interview are hard to read, but this woman is probably among the toughest humans who has ever lived. Few can say they would have the courage and bravery to talk so openly about what she endured. GIFT LINK. (and content warning, of course)
‘They All Tried to Break Me’: Gisèle Pelicot Shares Her Story
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:33 AM
This story and interview are hard to read, but this woman is probably among the toughest humans who has ever lived. Few can say they would have the courage and bravery to talk so openly about what she endured. GIFT LINK. (and content warning, of course)
Reposted by Bénédicte C
Remember: In the prevaccine era, measles would peak in late winter- early spring. Don’t be surprised if in the next few weeks we see a surge
www.aol.com/articles/us-...
www.aol.com/articles/us-...
4 times as many measles cases in few weeks than US typically averages in year: CDC
There have been 733 cases so far this year, a CDC report said.
www.aol.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Remember: In the prevaccine era, measles would peak in late winter- early spring. Don’t be surprised if in the next few weeks we see a surge
www.aol.com/articles/us-...
www.aol.com/articles/us-...
Reposted by Bénédicte C
Fight. Win. Repeat.
NEW: The Trump administration has dropped its appeal of a federal court order blocking its $1.2-billion settlement demand to UCLA over alleged campus civil rights violations: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Trump administration drops its appeal of court order blocking $1.2-billion UCLA settlement
The Trump administration dropped its appeal of a major higher education case in which a federal judge blocked its $1.2-billion settlement proposal to UCLA over alleged civil rights violations. But it ...
www.latimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Fight. Win. Repeat.
Reposted by Bénédicte C
Reposted by Bénédicte C
“Federal Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Cut $600 Million in Health Funds -
It is the latest court ruling staving off deep cuts to social services that Democratic-led states say are politically motivated and would harm hundreds of thousands of people.”
It is the latest court ruling staving off deep cuts to social services that Democratic-led states say are politically motivated and would harm hundreds of thousands of people.”
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Cut $600 Million in Health Funds
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:02 AM
“Federal Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Cut $600 Million in Health Funds -
It is the latest court ruling staving off deep cuts to social services that Democratic-led states say are politically motivated and would harm hundreds of thousands of people.”
It is the latest court ruling staving off deep cuts to social services that Democratic-led states say are politically motivated and would harm hundreds of thousands of people.”
I am begining to wonder whether JB is not just stupid, not just ideological, but actually compromised.
Dismantling pandemic response capabilities is something that benefits an adversary.
Dismantling pandemic response capabilities is something that benefits an adversary.
Right wing chaos agent Jay Bhattacharya strikes again—making the US less prepared for the next pandemic
One of the most important national centers for studying infectious diseases, based at the NIH, is no longer allowed to study pandemic preparedness or bio defense😨
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
One of the most important national centers for studying infectious diseases, based at the NIH, is no longer allowed to study pandemic preparedness or bio defense😨
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:32 AM
I am begining to wonder whether JB is not just stupid, not just ideological, but actually compromised.
Dismantling pandemic response capabilities is something that benefits an adversary.
Dismantling pandemic response capabilities is something that benefits an adversary.
Reposted by Bénédicte C
Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub “pandemic preparedness” and “biodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub “pandemic preparedness” and “biodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
Reposted by Bénédicte C
... while moving away from the germ theory of disease, as per NIAID head Taubenberger
"[O]ne way for people to be prepared is to be healthier, eat better and exercise, so you’re less likely to get sick or have a poor outcome"
Get him on the record for specific diseases.
Ask him, publicly.
"[O]ne way for people to be prepared is to be healthier, eat better and exercise, so you’re less likely to get sick or have a poor outcome"
Get him on the record for specific diseases.
Ask him, publicly.
February 13, 2026 at 9:30 PM
... while moving away from the germ theory of disease, as per NIAID head Taubenberger
"[O]ne way for people to be prepared is to be healthier, eat better and exercise, so you’re less likely to get sick or have a poor outcome"
Get him on the record for specific diseases.
Ask him, publicly.
"[O]ne way for people to be prepared is to be healthier, eat better and exercise, so you’re less likely to get sick or have a poor outcome"
Get him on the record for specific diseases.
Ask him, publicly.
This is becoming a national biosecurity problem.
New reporting shows how NIH will go from "vision"
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
to reality: weakening national capacity for pandemic preparedness and next-generation discoveries to confront infectious disease...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
to reality: weakening national capacity for pandemic preparedness and next-generation discoveries to confront infectious disease...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:29 PM
This is becoming a national biosecurity problem.
Reposted by Bénédicte C
Whether or not the story is apocryphal, I fear many of my colleagues who work in DC and are advocates for biomedical research and public health, do not get the nature of the "inside-outside" strategy. 1/ dissentmagazine.org/online_artic...
The “Make Me Do It” Myth - Dissent Magazine
Politicians fear the disruptive power of a mobilized base, even when it helps them succeed.
dissentmagazine.org
February 13, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Whether or not the story is apocryphal, I fear many of my colleagues who work in DC and are advocates for biomedical research and public health, do not get the nature of the "inside-outside" strategy. 1/ dissentmagazine.org/online_artic...
Reposted by Bénédicte C
Delighted to see the TrumpActionTracker feature in this @timeshighered.bsky.social profile by @patrickjack.bsky.social today :-)
was great to chat to him about it!
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/mathema...
was great to chat to him about it!
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/mathema...
The mathematician lifting the lid on Trump’s ‘attacks’
Scientist behind Trump Action Tracker uses skills in data collection to look for patterns in president’s seemingly scattergun approach
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Delighted to see the TrumpActionTracker feature in this @timeshighered.bsky.social profile by @patrickjack.bsky.social today :-)
was great to chat to him about it!
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/mathema...
was great to chat to him about it!
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/mathema...
Reposted by Bénédicte C
This is a vivid, horribly relevant read. “She does not sleep well. And as you lift up her pajama top to check her rash one morning, you see that her breathing is labored, shadows pooling between her ribs when she sucks in air. You suffer an icy moment of realization: This is a medical crisis.”
This Is How a Child Dies of Measles
When your family becomes a data point in an outbreak
www.theatlantic.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:35 PM
This is a vivid, horribly relevant read. “She does not sleep well. And as you lift up her pajama top to check her rash one morning, you see that her breathing is labored, shadows pooling between her ribs when she sucks in air. You suffer an icy moment of realization: This is a medical crisis.”
Reposted by Bénédicte C
"Racist people are firing and laying off Black women at three times the rate of other women."
😬Yikes! It sounds bad when you say it like that!
"Black women are losing jobs at 3 times the rate."
Much better! Makes it sound like the Black women just need to be more careful or better at their jobs!
😬Yikes! It sounds bad when you say it like that!
"Black women are losing jobs at 3 times the rate."
Much better! Makes it sound like the Black women just need to be more careful or better at their jobs!
Black Women Are Losing Jobs At Three Times The Rate Of Other Women | Essence
New labor data shows Black women accounted for a disproportionate share of job losses across 2025, especially in federal, education, and care-sector roles.
www.essence.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:01 PM
"Racist people are firing and laying off Black women at three times the rate of other women."
😬Yikes! It sounds bad when you say it like that!
"Black women are losing jobs at 3 times the rate."
Much better! Makes it sound like the Black women just need to be more careful or better at their jobs!
😬Yikes! It sounds bad when you say it like that!
"Black women are losing jobs at 3 times the rate."
Much better! Makes it sound like the Black women just need to be more careful or better at their jobs!
Reposted by Bénédicte C
Name names. Marty Makary, Vinay Prasad, Jay Bhattacharya, Tracy Beth Hoeg, Martin Kulldorff, Russell Vought, RFK Jr., Donald Trump. All of them contributed to this by their relentless attacks on vaccines and biomedical R&D.
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
February 13, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Name names. Marty Makary, Vinay Prasad, Jay Bhattacharya, Tracy Beth Hoeg, Martin Kulldorff, Russell Vought, RFK Jr., Donald Trump. All of them contributed to this by their relentless attacks on vaccines and biomedical R&D.
Reposted by Bénédicte C
Last fall, the Trump regime came up with what I'm sure they thought was a "brilliant" solution to the upcoming expiration of the enhanced ACA tax credits: Catastrophic Plans for All!
acasignups.net/25/09/04/let...
acasignups.net/25/09/04/let...
"Let Them Eat Catastrophic Plans!" Trump & RFK Jr. have a "genius" response to expiring tax credit crisis (updated)
For months now I've been shouting from the rooftops about the imminent expiration of the improved federal tax credits for ACA enrollees, repeatedly pointing out that those already paying full price ar...
acasignups.net
February 13, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Last fall, the Trump regime came up with what I'm sure they thought was a "brilliant" solution to the upcoming expiration of the enhanced ACA tax credits: Catastrophic Plans for All!
acasignups.net/25/09/04/let...
acasignups.net/25/09/04/let...
Reposted by Bénédicte C
I want to see a judge who will take action against Fat Bastard and jail his cronies.
February 13, 2026 at 10:44 AM
I want to see a judge who will take action against Fat Bastard and jail his cronies.
Reposted by Bénédicte C
NEW: We’re publishing a full list of the 373 federal judges who have ruled against ICE’s mass detention policy and the 28 who have endorsed it — as well as links to key rulings by each.
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 12, 2026 at 10:01 PM
NEW: We’re publishing a full list of the 373 federal judges who have ruled against ICE’s mass detention policy and the 28 who have endorsed it — as well as links to key rulings by each.
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Bénédicte C
for folks out of town - Central Ave runs north through Northeast Mpls to Columbia Heights to Fridley to Blaine. Dense and then less dense suburbs with lots of working class families (Blaine also has some mcmansion complexes and even the occasional farm). Occupation spreading out.
There has been no draw down today. ICE snatched someone off Central Ave out of his car because he looked Latino before then letting him go a couple hours later. They were stopping people in Blaine on highway 65, they were all around Fridley, and were in the parking lot of the St Anthony liquor store
February 13, 2026 at 2:22 AM
for folks out of town - Central Ave runs north through Northeast Mpls to Columbia Heights to Fridley to Blaine. Dense and then less dense suburbs with lots of working class families (Blaine also has some mcmansion complexes and even the occasional farm). Occupation spreading out.
Reposted by Bénédicte C
CBP didn’t give her or anyone any water; she asked 3 times accg to other reports. CBP killed a 7yr old.
“8 hours after the girl & her father were taken into custody, she began having seizures & her body temperature was measured at 105.7 degrees by emergency medical technicians. shorturl.at/d2OTJ
“8 hours after the girl & her father were taken into custody, she began having seizures & her body temperature was measured at 105.7 degrees by emergency medical technicians. shorturl.at/d2OTJ
7-Year-Old Migrant Girl Dies Of Dehydration And Shock In U.S. Border Patrol Custody
The girl's death underscores the crisis precipitated by large groups of families seeking asylum where there are inadequate facilities to detain them.
shorturl.at
February 13, 2026 at 1:33 AM
CBP didn’t give her or anyone any water; she asked 3 times accg to other reports. CBP killed a 7yr old.
“8 hours after the girl & her father were taken into custody, she began having seizures & her body temperature was measured at 105.7 degrees by emergency medical technicians. shorturl.at/d2OTJ
“8 hours after the girl & her father were taken into custody, she began having seizures & her body temperature was measured at 105.7 degrees by emergency medical technicians. shorturl.at/d2OTJ
Reposted by Bénédicte C
The French translation of The Foreign Gaze is now out!
It is titled “Le regard étranger: Réflexions sur la santé mondiale”
You can download it for free or order a print copy here: www.editions.ird.fr/produit/731/...
Please spread the word to your French-speaking friends, colleagues, and partners.
It is titled “Le regard étranger: Réflexions sur la santé mondiale”
You can download it for free or order a print copy here: www.editions.ird.fr/produit/731/...
Please spread the word to your French-speaking friends, colleagues, and partners.
February 1, 2026 at 4:42 PM
The French translation of The Foreign Gaze is now out!
It is titled “Le regard étranger: Réflexions sur la santé mondiale”
You can download it for free or order a print copy here: www.editions.ird.fr/produit/731/...
Please spread the word to your French-speaking friends, colleagues, and partners.
It is titled “Le regard étranger: Réflexions sur la santé mondiale”
You can download it for free or order a print copy here: www.editions.ird.fr/produit/731/...
Please spread the word to your French-speaking friends, colleagues, and partners.
Reposted by Bénédicte C
Epstein-Barr is also an oncogenic virus - specifically raises the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer, certain lymphomas, and some stomach cancers. Once again, Trump’s HHS is joining the war on cancer on the side of cancer. www.cancer.org/cancer/lates...
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
February 13, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Epstein-Barr is also an oncogenic virus - specifically raises the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer, certain lymphomas, and some stomach cancers. Once again, Trump’s HHS is joining the war on cancer on the side of cancer. www.cancer.org/cancer/lates...
Reposted by Bénédicte C
There needs to be a class action suit against RFK, Jr., NIH, and Donald Trump for endangering the lives of Americans with their kooky, unscientific negligence.
February 13, 2026 at 3:01 AM
There needs to be a class action suit against RFK, Jr., NIH, and Donald Trump for endangering the lives of Americans with their kooky, unscientific negligence.
Reposted by Bénédicte C
The highly classified whistleblower complaint against Tulsi Gabbard is related to a foreign conversation about Jared Kushner that was intercepted last spring.
Gabbard Whistleblower Complaint Based on Intercepted Conversation About Jared Kushner
The substance of the conversation, which covered in part issues related to Iran, isn’t known.
on.wsj.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:09 PM
The highly classified whistleblower complaint against Tulsi Gabbard is related to a foreign conversation about Jared Kushner that was intercepted last spring.
Reposted by Bénédicte C
“.. The allegations in the conversation about Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, would be significant if verified, according to other U.S. officials familiar with its contents.”
@wsj.com #SonInLawWatch
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
@wsj.com #SonInLawWatch
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
February 12, 2026 at 9:14 PM
“.. The allegations in the conversation about Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, would be significant if verified, according to other U.S. officials familiar with its contents.”
@wsj.com #SonInLawWatch
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
@wsj.com #SonInLawWatch
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...