Delthia Ricks
@dricks.bsky.social
Science writer, author, essayist & avid gardener.
Pinned
Delthia Ricks
@dricks.bsky.social
· Dec 21
The contrast between Rwanda’s handling of Marburg and the chaotic response to Covid-19 is stark
The country’s response prevented a crisis – and provided the world with a valuable blueprint for effective outbreak control
www.telegraph.co.uk
The stark contrast between Rwanda’s handling of a deadly Marburg virus outbreak this year & the rest of the world’s chaotic response to #Covid provides textbook lessons in how to properly respond to a threat and how to make a threat worse www.telegraph.co.uk/global-healt...
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
NIH shake-up to grant decision-making draws concerns of political meddling | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪
NIH shake-up to grant decision-making draws concerns of political meddling
Policy drops “paylines” based on peer-review scores and requires geography and other factors to guide approvals
www.science.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:10 PM
NIH shake-up to grant decision-making draws concerns of political meddling | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Breaking News: The CDC quietly appointed Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, who has been critical of vaccines, as its second in command. During the Covid pandemic, he promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
C.D.C. Quietly Appoints Doctor Critical of Vaccines as Second in Command
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
trib.al
November 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Breaking News: The CDC quietly appointed Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, who has been critical of vaccines, as its second in command. During the Covid pandemic, he promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
🧪 Dr. Carl Dieffenbach, the highly respected Division of AIDS Director, was transferred to a position w/ significantly less oversight of #NIH. Many advances in HIV treatments happened under his watch.
We are watching MAGA deemphasize the gravity of AIDS & discredit impactful HIV research.
We are watching MAGA deemphasize the gravity of AIDS & discredit impactful HIV research.
1/ ⚠️ Breaking: At CDC, we've been told the US Government will not officially commemorate World AIDS Day this year. No explanation given.
November 25, 2025 at 10:04 PM
🧪 Dr. Carl Dieffenbach, the highly respected Division of AIDS Director, was transferred to a position w/ significantly less oversight of #NIH. Many advances in HIV treatments happened under his watch.
We are watching MAGA deemphasize the gravity of AIDS & discredit impactful HIV research.
We are watching MAGA deemphasize the gravity of AIDS & discredit impactful HIV research.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Looks like Idaho said to hell with measures that protect the public from the spread of many infectious diseases.
The law removes authority that supports basic infection control, including a sweeping ban on medical interventions (treatment, medications, vaccines etc) & ambiguous exemptions for PPE.
The law removes authority that supports basic infection control, including a sweeping ban on medical interventions (treatment, medications, vaccines etc) & ambiguous exemptions for PPE.
Idaho’s Medical Freedom Act disarms public health
The law's broad language threatens the state’s ability to prevent illness and death from infectious diseases, and, if replicated elsewhere, it could unravel decades of progress in public health.
www.healthbeat.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Looks like Idaho said to hell with measures that protect the public from the spread of many infectious diseases.
The law removes authority that supports basic infection control, including a sweeping ban on medical interventions (treatment, medications, vaccines etc) & ambiguous exemptions for PPE.
The law removes authority that supports basic infection control, including a sweeping ban on medical interventions (treatment, medications, vaccines etc) & ambiguous exemptions for PPE.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Another Boar's Head recall. This time it's pecorino romano cheese products being recalled due to a possible risk of Listeria monocytogenes, according to a notice posted by the FDA. A massive 7-million pound recall of Boar's deli meats made headlines in July 2024 & was also linked to Listeria👇
2 Popular Boar's Head Deli Products Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination
Boar's Head has recalled two of its Pecorino Romano deli cheese products due to the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Read on for more details on the recall.
www.allrecipes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Another Boar's Head recall. This time it's pecorino romano cheese products being recalled due to a possible risk of Listeria monocytogenes, according to a notice posted by the FDA. A massive 7-million pound recall of Boar's deli meats made headlines in July 2024 & was also linked to Listeria👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
The Republican brain doesn't want to understand health care👇
"(...) medicine is a complex and technical subject, beyond the grasp of anyone without medical training. So the idea that medical care should be treated like a commercial product to be consumed by medically sophisticated customers is not only silly – it’s dangerous."
The Republican Brain Doesn’t Want To Understand Health Care
For 15 years we have heard the same lies and misrepresentations
paulkrugman.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The Republican brain doesn't want to understand health care👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Waning immunity and falling vaccination rates are fueling whooping cough—perussis—outbreaks across the country. In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6600 cases—4 times the rate of last year's pace. Infants, the most vulnerable group, have died as a result of exposure👇
Waning Immunity and Falling Vaccination Rates Fuel Pertussis Outbreaks
In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6,600 cases -- four times last year's pace
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Waning immunity and falling vaccination rates are fueling whooping cough—perussis—outbreaks across the country. In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6600 cases—4 times the rate of last year's pace. Infants, the most vulnerable group, have died as a result of exposure👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
John F. Kennedy's granddaughter reports that she has terminal cancer. Tatiana Sclossberg, 34, a former NY Times reporter, is the daughter of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. Tatiana has 2 children & discussed her leukemia diagnosis in a New Yorker essay in which she sharply criticizes cousin RFKjr👇
JFK's Granddaughter Reveals Terminal Cancer Diagnosis, Criticizes Cousin RFK Jr.
Tatiana Schlossberg discloses that she has acute myeloid leukemia with a rare mutation
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:03 AM
John F. Kennedy's granddaughter reports that she has terminal cancer. Tatiana Sclossberg, 34, a former NY Times reporter, is the daughter of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. Tatiana has 2 children & discussed her leukemia diagnosis in a New Yorker essay in which she sharply criticizes cousin RFKjr👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Trump's Education Dept wants to 'declassify' nursing as a professional field. In its proposal, the department is changing definitions of professional degree programs & excludes nursing altogether. Changing the definition blocks nursing students from federal loans & loan forgiveness programs👇
Opinion | Declassifying Nursing As 'Professional' Is a Grave Mistake
The DoE's updated definition is dangerous for clinicians and patients alike
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Trump's Education Dept wants to 'declassify' nursing as a professional field. In its proposal, the department is changing definitions of professional degree programs & excludes nursing altogether. Changing the definition blocks nursing students from federal loans & loan forgiveness programs👇
Waning immunity and falling vaccination rates are fueling whooping cough—perussis—outbreaks across the country. In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6600 cases—4 times the rate of last year's pace. Infants, the most vulnerable group, have died as a result of exposure👇
Waning Immunity and Falling Vaccination Rates Fuel Pertussis Outbreaks
In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6,600 cases -- four times last year's pace
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Waning immunity and falling vaccination rates are fueling whooping cough—perussis—outbreaks across the country. In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6600 cases—4 times the rate of last year's pace. Infants, the most vulnerable group, have died as a result of exposure👇
The Republican brain doesn't want to understand health care👇
"(...) medicine is a complex and technical subject, beyond the grasp of anyone without medical training. So the idea that medical care should be treated like a commercial product to be consumed by medically sophisticated customers is not only silly – it’s dangerous."
The Republican Brain Doesn’t Want To Understand Health Care
For 15 years we have heard the same lies and misrepresentations
paulkrugman.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The Republican brain doesn't want to understand health care👇
Another Boar's Head recall. This time it's pecorino romano cheese products being recalled due to a possible risk of Listeria monocytogenes, according to a notice posted by the FDA. A massive 7-million pound recall of Boar's deli meats made headlines in July 2024 & was also linked to Listeria👇
2 Popular Boar's Head Deli Products Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination
Boar's Head has recalled two of its Pecorino Romano deli cheese products due to the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Read on for more details on the recall.
www.allrecipes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Another Boar's Head recall. This time it's pecorino romano cheese products being recalled due to a possible risk of Listeria monocytogenes, according to a notice posted by the FDA. A massive 7-million pound recall of Boar's deli meats made headlines in July 2024 & was also linked to Listeria👇
John F. Kennedy's granddaughter reports that she has terminal cancer. Tatiana Sclossberg, 34, a former NY Times reporter, is the daughter of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. Tatiana has 2 children & discussed her leukemia diagnosis in a New Yorker essay in which she sharply criticizes cousin RFKjr👇
JFK's Granddaughter Reveals Terminal Cancer Diagnosis, Criticizes Cousin RFK Jr.
Tatiana Schlossberg discloses that she has acute myeloid leukemia with a rare mutation
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:03 AM
John F. Kennedy's granddaughter reports that she has terminal cancer. Tatiana Sclossberg, 34, a former NY Times reporter, is the daughter of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. Tatiana has 2 children & discussed her leukemia diagnosis in a New Yorker essay in which she sharply criticizes cousin RFKjr👇
Trump's Education Dept wants to 'declassify' nursing as a professional field. In its proposal, the department is changing definitions of professional degree programs & excludes nursing altogether. Changing the definition blocks nursing students from federal loans & loan forgiveness programs👇
Opinion | Declassifying Nursing As 'Professional' Is a Grave Mistake
The DoE's updated definition is dangerous for clinicians and patients alike
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Trump's Education Dept wants to 'declassify' nursing as a professional field. In its proposal, the department is changing definitions of professional degree programs & excludes nursing altogether. Changing the definition blocks nursing students from federal loans & loan forgiveness programs👇
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
The EPA will approve two new pesticides containing “forever chemicals” and relax a reporting rule for companies who make products with forever chemicals.
The moves come after a $60 million lobbying blitz from the forever chemical industry.
Where is the MAHA outcry?
The moves come after a $60 million lobbying blitz from the forever chemical industry.
Where is the MAHA outcry?
November 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The EPA will approve two new pesticides containing “forever chemicals” and relax a reporting rule for companies who make products with forever chemicals.
The moves come after a $60 million lobbying blitz from the forever chemical industry.
Where is the MAHA outcry?
The moves come after a $60 million lobbying blitz from the forever chemical industry.
Where is the MAHA outcry?
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
📢 SIGN & SHARE THE PETITION! 📢
New York needs an Empire Biomedical Research Institute to create new statewide funding opportunities for scientists & physician-scientists so that patients and their families get the life-saving and life-changing new therapeutics they're hoping for ✏️ c.org/TDMy2H9JTW
New York needs an Empire Biomedical Research Institute to create new statewide funding opportunities for scientists & physician-scientists so that patients and their families get the life-saving and life-changing new therapeutics they're hoping for ✏️ c.org/TDMy2H9JTW
Sign the Petition
Support a New York State Biomedical Institute for a Healthier, More Affordable Future
c.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:53 PM
📢 SIGN & SHARE THE PETITION! 📢
New York needs an Empire Biomedical Research Institute to create new statewide funding opportunities for scientists & physician-scientists so that patients and their families get the life-saving and life-changing new therapeutics they're hoping for ✏️ c.org/TDMy2H9JTW
New York needs an Empire Biomedical Research Institute to create new statewide funding opportunities for scientists & physician-scientists so that patients and their families get the life-saving and life-changing new therapeutics they're hoping for ✏️ c.org/TDMy2H9JTW
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Fluorescent microscopy is beautiful🔬✨
People who are pushing the envelope will not only uncover new biology, but captivate (and entice!) new generations of brilliant minds to love biology the same way we do
People who are pushing the envelope will not only uncover new biology, but captivate (and entice!) new generations of brilliant minds to love biology the same way we do
November 23, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Fluorescent microscopy is beautiful🔬✨
People who are pushing the envelope will not only uncover new biology, but captivate (and entice!) new generations of brilliant minds to love biology the same way we do
People who are pushing the envelope will not only uncover new biology, but captivate (and entice!) new generations of brilliant minds to love biology the same way we do
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Great article by @drjudystone.bsky.social about the impact cuts to government agencies are having on global health.
It was also noted that some international scientists refused to attend this conference because of ICE and racial profiling.
I am so deeply ashamed of our government.
It was also noted that some international scientists refused to attend this conference because of ICE and racial profiling.
I am so deeply ashamed of our government.
Reminders Of What Our Losses From CDC And USAID Mean
With the loss of USAID and much of CDC, our ability to respond to pandemics is at risk. Global health issues are a growing threat.
www.forbes.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Great article by @drjudystone.bsky.social about the impact cuts to government agencies are having on global health.
It was also noted that some international scientists refused to attend this conference because of ICE and racial profiling.
I am so deeply ashamed of our government.
It was also noted that some international scientists refused to attend this conference because of ICE and racial profiling.
I am so deeply ashamed of our government.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Six babies in California who consumed ByHeart formula were treated for botulism between November 2024 and June 2025, up to nine months before the outbreak that has sickened at least 31 babies in 15 states. apnews.com/article/byhe...
Babies who drank ByHeart formula got sick months before botulism outbreak, parents say
At least five families say their babies were treated for infant botulism after consuming ByHeart formula months before a current outbreak was detected.
apnews.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Six babies in California who consumed ByHeart formula were treated for botulism between November 2024 and June 2025, up to nine months before the outbreak that has sickened at least 31 babies in 15 states. apnews.com/article/byhe...
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Wearing masks during high-pollution periods and adopting simple protective measures can drastically reduce exposure to toxic particles and safeguard lung health
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
Masking should be a routine, not a reaction, say experts at webinar
Experts emphasize the importance of routine masking and protective measures to combat the health impacts of air pollution.
www.thehindu.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Wearing masks during high-pollution periods and adopting simple protective measures can drastically reduce exposure to toxic particles and safeguard lung health
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
Jamaica reports deadly leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa - Jamaica has declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease leptospirosis, suspected of causing six deaths, following the devastation from Hurricane Melissa in late October.
Jamaica reports deadly leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica has declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease leptospirosis, suspected of causing six deaths, following the devastation from Hurricane Melissa in late October.
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Jamaica reports deadly leptospirosis outbreak after Hurricane Melissa - Jamaica has declared an outbreak of the bacterial disease leptospirosis, suspected of causing six deaths, following the devastation from Hurricane Melissa in late October.
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
The microbial strategies for the management of chemical #pesticides:
A comprehensive review
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #OpenAccess #pesticide #environment #microbiology #MicroSky #ecology #EcoSky
A comprehensive review
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #OpenAccess #pesticide #environment #microbiology #MicroSky #ecology #EcoSky
November 23, 2025 at 5:36 PM
The microbial strategies for the management of chemical #pesticides:
A comprehensive review
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #OpenAccess #pesticide #environment #microbiology #MicroSky #ecology #EcoSky
A comprehensive review
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #OpenAccess #pesticide #environment #microbiology #MicroSky #ecology #EcoSky
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
When political appointees lie to Congress, Congress must hold them accountable. #DrPanForCongress
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Cassidy Got Pledges From Kennedy on Vaccines. They Haven’t Stuck.
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:18 PM
When political appointees lie to Congress, Congress must hold them accountable. #DrPanForCongress
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Reposted by Delthia Ricks
We've enrolled more than 700 participants (of 1,000 planned) in 3 weeks to a randomized trial for treatment of #LongCovid
Founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, @erictopol.bsky.social, and Julia Moore Vogel, co–principal investigator of the Long COVID Treatment Trial, were featured in @wired.com, sharing insights on a nationwide study testing GLP-1s for long COVID.
Weight-Loss Drug Zepbound Is Being Tested as a Treatment for Long Covid
GLP-1s are being studied for a wide range of conditions. Now, scientists will test whether their anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate symptoms of long Covid.
ow.ly
November 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM
We've enrolled more than 700 participants (of 1,000 planned) in 3 weeks to a randomized trial for treatment of #LongCovid