Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD
@elizabethjacobs.bsky.social
Epidemiologist. Professor Emerita. Workplace Wrecker. Blue in Arizona, forged in the Burgh.
When you’re going through hell, keep going. (Churchill)
[email protected]
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social
https://www.defendpublichealth.org
When you’re going through hell, keep going. (Churchill)
[email protected]
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social
https://www.defendpublichealth.org
Humans are about 10 million times larger than viruses, yet they kill us regularly.
We can’t see them. We can’t outrun them. We can’t destroy them with our guns.
And yet we continue to disrespect them.
Vaccinate.
We can’t see them. We can’t outrun them. We can’t destroy them with our guns.
And yet we continue to disrespect them.
Vaccinate.
November 24, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Humans are about 10 million times larger than viruses, yet they kill us regularly.
We can’t see them. We can’t outrun them. We can’t destroy them with our guns.
And yet we continue to disrespect them.
Vaccinate.
We can’t see them. We can’t outrun them. We can’t destroy them with our guns.
And yet we continue to disrespect them.
Vaccinate.
Vaccine-preventable diseases are unimpressed with your consumption of beef tallow and peptides and supplements in lieu of vaccines.
You’re the antelope and the lion is going to track you down.
You’re the antelope and the lion is going to track you down.
November 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Vaccine-preventable diseases are unimpressed with your consumption of beef tallow and peptides and supplements in lieu of vaccines.
You’re the antelope and the lion is going to track you down.
You’re the antelope and the lion is going to track you down.
I ran across this 1896 editorial in a medical journal.
The author is discussing a smallpox outbreak in Gloucester, England (pop 42,000). The town was a hotbed of anti-vaxxers until there was a massive outbreak.
At that point, 25,000 people lined up for smallpox vaccines.
The author is discussing a smallpox outbreak in Gloucester, England (pop 42,000). The town was a hotbed of anti-vaxxers until there was a massive outbreak.
At that point, 25,000 people lined up for smallpox vaccines.
An Object Lesson for Antivaccinists
An official website of the United States government
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
November 24, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I ran across this 1896 editorial in a medical journal.
The author is discussing a smallpox outbreak in Gloucester, England (pop 42,000). The town was a hotbed of anti-vaxxers until there was a massive outbreak.
At that point, 25,000 people lined up for smallpox vaccines.
The author is discussing a smallpox outbreak in Gloucester, England (pop 42,000). The town was a hotbed of anti-vaxxers until there was a massive outbreak.
At that point, 25,000 people lined up for smallpox vaccines.
Five people have now died in the Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Ethiopia near the border with South Sudan.
A total of 53 suspected cases have been tested so far.
MVD is a hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, with a case fatality rate that has been reported to range from 25% to 90%.
A total of 53 suspected cases have been tested so far.
MVD is a hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, with a case fatality rate that has been reported to range from 25% to 90%.
Death toll from Ethiopia’s Marburg outbreak rises to 5 - Namibia Daily News
ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 24 -- The death toll from Ethiopia's Marburg virus disease outbreak has risen to five, the country's Ministry of Health has said. In its latest update issued late Saturday, the minis...
namibiadailynews.info
November 24, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Five people have now died in the Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Ethiopia near the border with South Sudan.
A total of 53 suspected cases have been tested so far.
MVD is a hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, with a case fatality rate that has been reported to range from 25% to 90%.
A total of 53 suspected cases have been tested so far.
MVD is a hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, with a case fatality rate that has been reported to range from 25% to 90%.
Community members in Fairbanks, Alaska can pay off students’ school lunch debts.
School lunch debt should not exist.
But since it does, this story warmed my heart.
School lunch debt should not exist.
But since it does, this story warmed my heart.
Community members can pay off student meal debt under Fairbanks program
Total meal debt in the district currently stands at more than $9,000.
www.alaskasnewssource.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Community members in Fairbanks, Alaska can pay off students’ school lunch debts.
School lunch debt should not exist.
But since it does, this story warmed my heart.
School lunch debt should not exist.
But since it does, this story warmed my heart.
Hi we have an expert in the house on the fungal infection that’s affected 6 patients at Harborview Medical Center.
newsroom.uw.edu/news-release...
newsroom.uw.edu/news-release...
November 24, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Hi we have an expert in the house on the fungal infection that’s affected 6 patients at Harborview Medical Center.
newsroom.uw.edu/news-release...
newsroom.uw.edu/news-release...
Fam I have just learned that the incredible Dr. Richard Pan @drpanmd.bsky.social is running for Congress for CA-06.
Dr. Pan has been a tireless advocate for public health. RFK Jr. rolled into California twice to try to scuttle 2 state vaccine-related bills that Dr. Pan had proposed. Dr. Pan won.
Dr. Pan has been a tireless advocate for public health. RFK Jr. rolled into California twice to try to scuttle 2 state vaccine-related bills that Dr. Pan had proposed. Dr. Pan won.
November 24, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Fam I have just learned that the incredible Dr. Richard Pan @drpanmd.bsky.social is running for Congress for CA-06.
Dr. Pan has been a tireless advocate for public health. RFK Jr. rolled into California twice to try to scuttle 2 state vaccine-related bills that Dr. Pan had proposed. Dr. Pan won.
Dr. Pan has been a tireless advocate for public health. RFK Jr. rolled into California twice to try to scuttle 2 state vaccine-related bills that Dr. Pan had proposed. Dr. Pan won.
Harborview Medical Center in Seattle has had 6 patients since June with a rare fungal infection.
Mucormycosis has a fatality rate of about 50% and strikes the immunocompromised.
Unrelated: Harborview rang a bell and sure enough one of the first U.S. patients died of COVID19 there.
Mucormycosis has a fatality rate of about 50% and strikes the immunocompromised.
Unrelated: Harborview rang a bell and sure enough one of the first U.S. patients died of COVID19 there.
Harborview patients test positive for mucormycosis - UW Medicine | Newsroom
newsroom.uw.edu
November 24, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Harborview Medical Center in Seattle has had 6 patients since June with a rare fungal infection.
Mucormycosis has a fatality rate of about 50% and strikes the immunocompromised.
Unrelated: Harborview rang a bell and sure enough one of the first U.S. patients died of COVID19 there.
Mucormycosis has a fatality rate of about 50% and strikes the immunocompromised.
Unrelated: Harborview rang a bell and sure enough one of the first U.S. patients died of COVID19 there.
Yesterday was El Tour de Tucson, a huge bike race through the streets of our city.
One cyclist was run off the road by a collision with a javelina and the only thing that could make this more Tucson is if they landed in a cactus. 🌵
Everybody is okay.
One cyclist was run off the road by a collision with a javelina and the only thing that could make this more Tucson is if they landed in a cactus. 🌵
Everybody is okay.
Javelina, cyclist collide during El Tour de Tucson, PCSD says
A cyclist riding in El Tour de Tucson escaped injury Saturday morning after a javelina ran into them on the course, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
www.kgun9.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Yesterday was El Tour de Tucson, a huge bike race through the streets of our city.
One cyclist was run off the road by a collision with a javelina and the only thing that could make this more Tucson is if they landed in a cactus. 🌵
Everybody is okay.
One cyclist was run off the road by a collision with a javelina and the only thing that could make this more Tucson is if they landed in a cactus. 🌵
Everybody is okay.
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 Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD
The numbers shouldn't even matter. The Serious People know that vaccines are good. If you believe otherwise, you are excused from the conversation and responsibility to govern. Go play make believe- we have stuff to do.
Anti-vaccine sentiment is now a load-bearing plank in the Republican platform.
Democrats haven’t budged on the need for school vaccine requirements since 2019—86% agree with them then and now.
Republicans have consumed so much disinformation that their support has declined from 79% to 52%.
Democrats haven’t budged on the need for school vaccine requirements since 2019—86% agree with them then and now.
Republicans have consumed so much disinformation that their support has declined from 79% to 52%.
November 23, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The numbers shouldn't even matter. The Serious People know that vaccines are good. If you believe otherwise, you are excused from the conversation and responsibility to govern. Go play make believe- we have stuff to do.
Anti-vaccine sentiment is now a load-bearing plank in the Republican platform.
Democrats haven’t budged on the need for school vaccine requirements since 2019—86% agree with them then and now.
Republicans have consumed so much disinformation that their support has declined from 79% to 52%.
Democrats haven’t budged on the need for school vaccine requirements since 2019—86% agree with them then and now.
Republicans have consumed so much disinformation that their support has declined from 79% to 52%.
November 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Anti-vaccine sentiment is now a load-bearing plank in the Republican platform.
Democrats haven’t budged on the need for school vaccine requirements since 2019—86% agree with them then and now.
Republicans have consumed so much disinformation that their support has declined from 79% to 52%.
Democrats haven’t budged on the need for school vaccine requirements since 2019—86% agree with them then and now.
Republicans have consumed so much disinformation that their support has declined from 79% to 52%.
RFK Jr. sent Olivia Nuzzi a “love” poem where he actually threatens to rape her and all of the Republican Congress turn away from their duty to impeach him.
If you read the article, make sure you have your adult eyes in. This is NSFW and indeed not safe for a Sunday.
If you read the article, make sure you have your adult eyes in. This is NSFW and indeed not safe for a Sunday.
Nuzzi Ex Reveals Super-Gross RFK Love Letter Taught Him Meaning Of Sexual Slang Term
Ryan Lizza claimed he learned the meaning off a sexual slang term from a poem written by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Lizza's ex-fiance, Olivia Nuzzi.
www.yahoo.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:21 PM
RFK Jr. sent Olivia Nuzzi a “love” poem where he actually threatens to rape her and all of the Republican Congress turn away from their duty to impeach him.
If you read the article, make sure you have your adult eyes in. This is NSFW and indeed not safe for a Sunday.
If you read the article, make sure you have your adult eyes in. This is NSFW and indeed not safe for a Sunday.
These guys are watching earth from a galaxy far far away and going bro what the fuck are they doooooinggggg?
November 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
These guys are watching earth from a galaxy far far away and going bro what the fuck are they doooooinggggg?
Italian researchers did a study where they looked at whether more people would give up their seat on a train for a pregnant passenger if Batman were present.
The answer is yes. People are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior when Batman’s around.
Now. How do we apply this to vaccination?
The answer is yes. People are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior when Batman’s around.
Now. How do we apply this to vaccination?
Unexpected events and prosocial behavior: the Batman effect
Prosocial behavior, the act of helping others, is essential to social life, yet spontaneous environmental triggers for such behavior remain underexplored. This study tested whether an unexpected event, such as the presence of a person dressed as ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
November 23, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Italian researchers did a study where they looked at whether more people would give up their seat on a train for a pregnant passenger if Batman were present.
The answer is yes. People are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior when Batman’s around.
Now. How do we apply this to vaccination?
The answer is yes. People are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior when Batman’s around.
Now. How do we apply this to vaccination?
Bill Cassidy has zero control over RFK Jr., and even if he did, he lacks the will to use it.
Cassidy is not going to do a damned thing to address the catastrophe he caused.
He’s up for reelection, after all, so he has to toe the line.
H/t: @datdemlady.bsky.social
Cassidy is not going to do a damned thing to address the catastrophe he caused.
He’s up for reelection, after all, so he has to toe the line.
H/t: @datdemlady.bsky.social
CASSIDY: I know it's titillating, but I think we need to move beyond the titillation
TAPPER: This isn't about titillation. This is about the fact that you are the chairman of the health committee and you voted to confirm somebody that by all accounts is actually making America less healthy
TAPPER: This isn't about titillation. This is about the fact that you are the chairman of the health committee and you voted to confirm somebody that by all accounts is actually making America less healthy
November 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Bill Cassidy has zero control over RFK Jr., and even if he did, he lacks the will to use it.
Cassidy is not going to do a damned thing to address the catastrophe he caused.
He’s up for reelection, after all, so he has to toe the line.
H/t: @datdemlady.bsky.social
Cassidy is not going to do a damned thing to address the catastrophe he caused.
He’s up for reelection, after all, so he has to toe the line.
H/t: @datdemlady.bsky.social
Anti-vaccine sentiment is now a load-bearing plank in the Republican platform.
Democrats haven’t budged on the need for school vaccine requirements since 2019. Republicans have consumed so much disinformation that their support has declined by 27% since then.
Democrats haven’t budged on the need for school vaccine requirements since 2019. Republicans have consumed so much disinformation that their support has declined by 27% since then.
November 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Anti-vaccine sentiment is now a load-bearing plank in the Republican platform.
Democrats haven’t budged on the need for school vaccine requirements since 2019. Republicans have consumed so much disinformation that their support has declined by 27% since then.
Democrats haven’t budged on the need for school vaccine requirements since 2019. Republicans have consumed so much disinformation that their support has declined by 27% since then.
A horrifying graphic from Pew showing the fruits of the right wing war on public health.
Only 48% of Republicans believe that vaccines prevent serious illness, while 80% of Democrats do.
This is not a difference of opinion in science. This is the result of a ruthless disinformation campaign.
Only 48% of Republicans believe that vaccines prevent serious illness, while 80% of Democrats do.
This is not a difference of opinion in science. This is the result of a ruthless disinformation campaign.
November 20, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A horrifying graphic from Pew showing the fruits of the right wing war on public health.
Only 48% of Republicans believe that vaccines prevent serious illness, while 80% of Democrats do.
This is not a difference of opinion in science. This is the result of a ruthless disinformation campaign.
Only 48% of Republicans believe that vaccines prevent serious illness, while 80% of Democrats do.
This is not a difference of opinion in science. This is the result of a ruthless disinformation campaign.
Wanna see a visual on the result of the Republican attack on public health?
I’ve got you covered. This is from Pew Research Center’s most recent survey, showing a 27% drop in Republican support for school vaccine requirements from 2016-2025.
I’ve got you covered. This is from Pew Research Center’s most recent survey, showing a 27% drop in Republican support for school vaccine requirements from 2016-2025.
November 20, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Wanna see a visual on the result of the Republican attack on public health?
I’ve got you covered. This is from Pew Research Center’s most recent survey, showing a 27% drop in Republican support for school vaccine requirements from 2016-2025.
I’ve got you covered. This is from Pew Research Center’s most recent survey, showing a 27% drop in Republican support for school vaccine requirements from 2016-2025.
I haven’t seen a response from Bill Cassidy on his latest humiliation at the hands of RFK Jr.
Did I miss it or is he cowering in a swamp somewhere?
Did I miss it or is he cowering in a swamp somewhere?
November 20, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I haven’t seen a response from Bill Cassidy on his latest humiliation at the hands of RFK Jr.
Did I miss it or is he cowering in a swamp somewhere?
Did I miss it or is he cowering in a swamp somewhere?
The Trump era is going to end, one way or another.
And when it does, we will be ready to build back public health even better than it was.
We will never forget what has been done by these liars, grifters and thieves.
And when it does, we will be ready to build back public health even better than it was.
We will never forget what has been done by these liars, grifters and thieves.
November 20, 2025 at 7:52 PM
The Trump era is going to end, one way or another.
And when it does, we will be ready to build back public health even better than it was.
We will never forget what has been done by these liars, grifters and thieves.
And when it does, we will be ready to build back public health even better than it was.
We will never forget what has been done by these liars, grifters and thieves.
Friends, please don’t pick up ByHeart baby formula for awhile. It’s apparently still on the shelves.
A botulism outbreak that has sickened more than two dozen babies in 15 states has been linked to ByHeart formula sold nationwide. Here's what to know about it. n.pr/3Kf6Ly2
Recalled baby formula linked to a botulism outbreak may still be in some stores
A botulism outbreak that has sickened more than two dozen babies in 15 states has been linked to ByHeart formula sold nationwide. Here's what to know about it.
n.pr
November 20, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Friends, please don’t pick up ByHeart baby formula for awhile. It’s apparently still on the shelves.
If it’s illegal to yell “fire” in a crowded theater when there is no fire, it should also be illegal for the U.S. government to publish grossly false statements on their webpages.
November 20, 2025 at 3:31 PM
If it’s illegal to yell “fire” in a crowded theater when there is no fire, it should also be illegal for the U.S. government to publish grossly false statements on their webpages.
After he leaves office, every single one of RFK Jr.’s lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers will include some variation of this statement by an anti-vaccine group:
“CDC NOW ADMITS SCIENCE LACKING BEHIND CLAIM
'VACCINES DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM’”.
The CDC admits no such thing.
“CDC NOW ADMITS SCIENCE LACKING BEHIND CLAIM
'VACCINES DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM’”.
The CDC admits no such thing.
November 20, 2025 at 3:24 PM
After he leaves office, every single one of RFK Jr.’s lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers will include some variation of this statement by an anti-vaccine group:
“CDC NOW ADMITS SCIENCE LACKING BEHIND CLAIM
'VACCINES DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM’”.
The CDC admits no such thing.
“CDC NOW ADMITS SCIENCE LACKING BEHIND CLAIM
'VACCINES DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM’”.
The CDC admits no such thing.
An anti-vaccination organization is claiming that their lawsuit against the CDC is what got the false webpage claiming that vaccines cause autism published.
If this is the case, surely a lawsuit can be filed to get it removed?
If this is the case, surely a lawsuit can be filed to get it removed?
November 20, 2025 at 3:21 PM
An anti-vaccination organization is claiming that their lawsuit against the CDC is what got the false webpage claiming that vaccines cause autism published.
If this is the case, surely a lawsuit can be filed to get it removed?
If this is the case, surely a lawsuit can be filed to get it removed?