Kit Yates
@kityates.bsky.social
Author.
Prof of Math Bio and Public Engagement.
Member of Independent Sage since October 2020.
@Kit_Yates_Maths on twitter
Books -
Math(s) of Life and Death
How to Expect the Unexpected
Get them here: https://tinyurl.com/37rx2yuv
He/Him
Prof of Math Bio and Public Engagement.
Member of Independent Sage since October 2020.
@Kit_Yates_Maths on twitter
Books -
Math(s) of Life and Death
How to Expect the Unexpected
Get them here: https://tinyurl.com/37rx2yuv
He/Him
One in five children infected in the recent London measles outbreak were reportedly hospitalised.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
February 16, 2026 at 8:00 AM
One in five children infected in the recent London measles outbreak were reportedly hospitalised.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
Don’t believe the anti-vaxxers when they say “it’s a mild disease” or “it’s better to get immunity naturally”.
It isn’t.
As an avid listener and sometime contributor to the BBC Sorld Service, it seems crazy to me that we have got to this point.
It would be a tragedy to let the World Service and all the good it does disappear.
It would be a tragedy to let the World Service and all the good it does disappear.
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:43 PM
As an avid listener and sometime contributor to the BBC Sorld Service, it seems crazy to me that we have got to this point.
It would be a tragedy to let the World Service and all the good it does disappear.
It would be a tragedy to let the World Service and all the good it does disappear.
Reposted by Kit Yates
the loss of the World Service would be a tragedy and huge lost of soft power for Britain
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:02 PM
the loss of the World Service would be a tragedy and huge lost of soft power for Britain
Reposted by Kit Yates
Whooping cough cases hit record high after vaccine rate drop in Australia.
-we need a government Comms campaign about the benefits of vaccination. Yesterday.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
-we need a government Comms campaign about the benefits of vaccination. Yesterday.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Record spike in whooping cough cases due to 'potentially catastrophic' trend
A "potentially catastrophic" decline in Australia's childhood vaccination rates has contributed to the sharpest increase in cases of whooping cough in 35 years, infectious diseases experts say.
www.abc.net.au
February 15, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Whooping cough cases hit record high after vaccine rate drop in Australia.
-we need a government Comms campaign about the benefits of vaccination. Yesterday.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
-we need a government Comms campaign about the benefits of vaccination. Yesterday.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
“Measles is a nasty illness for any child, but for some it can lead to long term complications and tragically death, but is so easily preventable with two doses of the MMRV”
Protect your loved ones and those around you. Get vaccinated.
Protect your loved ones and those around you. Get vaccinated.
North London measles outbreak hits several schools with at least 34 children infected
A number of children have been hospitalised as officials urge families to check they are up to date with their vaccines.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 1:34 PM
“Measles is a nasty illness for any child, but for some it can lead to long term complications and tragically death, but is so easily preventable with two doses of the MMRV”
Protect your loved ones and those around you. Get vaccinated.
Protect your loved ones and those around you. Get vaccinated.
Reposted by Kit Yates
An utter tragedy. Science solved this problem, but a bunch of charlatans fucked everything up and brought it back
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Health officials are racing to contain a growing measles outbreak in London, which has struck down dozens of young children and affected 7 schools and a nursery.
UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases:
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases:
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
London measles outbreak: more than 60 children infected
Cases are spreading between children in Enfield as the virus exploits low MMR vaccination rates, medical experts say
www.thetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:57 PM
An utter tragedy. Science solved this problem, but a bunch of charlatans fucked everything up and brought it back
Reposted by Kit Yates
This is really not good. Measles is so easily caught and so dangerous. If you haven't been vaccinated please ask at your GP surgery - to protect not just you but those around you.
“Seven schools and a nursery have reported more than 60 suspected cases of measles in an area of north London, and labs have confirmed 34 cases since January 12. Some children have been treated in hospital.”
archive.md/2026.02.1...
archive.md/2026.02.1...
February 15, 2026 at 8:41 AM
This is really not good. Measles is so easily caught and so dangerous. If you haven't been vaccinated please ask at your GP surgery - to protect not just you but those around you.
Reposted by Kit Yates
In our lifetimes we’ve witnessed HIV, Ebola, SARS, MERS, Covid and others.
Hard to take that our learning point for the next ones is to close eyes and hope for the best…
Hard to take that our learning point for the next ones is to close eyes and hope for the best…
Not preparing for the next pandemic doesn't prevent pandemic from happening.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
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 15, 2026 at 12:09 PM
In our lifetimes we’ve witnessed HIV, Ebola, SARS, MERS, Covid and others.
Hard to take that our learning point for the next ones is to close eyes and hope for the best…
Hard to take that our learning point for the next ones is to close eyes and hope for the best…
“At least 34 children have been infected by a "fast-spreading" measles outbreak in several north London schools, health officials have said.”
North London measles outbreak hits several schools with at least 34 children infected
A number of children have been hospitalised as officials urge families to check they are up to date with their vaccines.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 12:14 PM
“At least 34 children have been infected by a "fast-spreading" measles outbreak in several north London schools, health officials have said.”
“Seven schools and a nursery have reported more than 60 suspected cases of measles in an area of north London, and labs have confirmed 34 cases since January 12. Some children have been treated in hospital.”
archive.md/2026.02.1...
archive.md/2026.02.1...
February 14, 2026 at 8:05 PM
“Seven schools and a nursery have reported more than 60 suspected cases of measles in an area of north London, and labs have confirmed 34 cases since January 12. Some children have been treated in hospital.”
archive.md/2026.02.1...
archive.md/2026.02.1...
Aaaaaaaaah.
So frustrating.
So frustrating.
Cairns Public Health Unit says students are increasingly missing their school HPV vaccinations because they do not have parental consent.
School HPV vaccination rate drops to 56pc in Far North Queensland
Cairns Public Health Unit says students are increasingly missing their school HPV vaccinations because they do not have parental consent.
www.abc.net.au
February 13, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Aaaaaaaaah.
So frustrating.
So frustrating.
Reposted by Kit Yates
Reposted by Kit Yates
February 13, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Because the world was so well prepared last time!
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Nature - Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Because the world was so well prepared last time!
I have always loved Skeleton!!!
Get in Matt Weston.
Get in Matt Weston.
Really excited for Matt Weston, based at the University of Bath; currently leading the Men's skeleton competition at the Winter Olympics.
Two more runs tomorrow for gold.
Two more runs tomorrow for gold.
Team GB's Matt Weston leads skeleton standings after two runs at Winter Olympics
Matt Weston underlined his status as the world's best skeleton pilot by setting the track record on his way to taking a significant halfway lead at the Winter Olympics.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 9:01 PM
I have always loved Skeleton!!!
Get in Matt Weston.
Get in Matt Weston.
Reposted by Kit Yates
Wots going on. This type of labelling seems designed to confuse. Apparently a serving size is 5/6th of a bag. Who eats 5/6ths. Just state the facts about the bag. Pointless, misleading, nonsense.
February 12, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Wots going on. This type of labelling seems designed to confuse. Apparently a serving size is 5/6th of a bag. Who eats 5/6ths. Just state the facts about the bag. Pointless, misleading, nonsense.
Great to see my friend Christina Pagel featured in the THE for her work on tracking Trump's authoritarian actions.
"Scientist behind Trump Action Tracker uses skills in data collection to look for patterns in president’s seemingly scattergun approach"
"Scientist behind Trump Action Tracker uses skills in data collection to look for patterns in president’s seemingly scattergun approach"
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 12:58 PM
Great to see my friend Christina Pagel featured in the THE for her work on tracking Trump's authoritarian actions.
"Scientist behind Trump Action Tracker uses skills in data collection to look for patterns in president’s seemingly scattergun approach"
"Scientist behind Trump Action Tracker uses skills in data collection to look for patterns in president’s seemingly scattergun approach"
Really excited for Matt Weston, based at the University of Bath; currently leading the Men's skeleton competition at the Winter Olympics.
Two more runs tomorrow for gold.
Two more runs tomorrow for gold.
Team GB's Matt Weston leads skeleton standings after two runs at Winter Olympics
Matt Weston underlined his status as the world's best skeleton pilot by setting the track record on his way to taking a significant halfway lead at the Winter Olympics.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Really excited for Matt Weston, based at the University of Bath; currently leading the Men's skeleton competition at the Winter Olympics.
Two more runs tomorrow for gold.
Two more runs tomorrow for gold.
Reposted by Kit Yates
This is pretty menacing.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
February 10, 2026 at 8:53 AM
This is pretty menacing.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
Ever notice that multiple‑choice quizzes often feel strangely predictable? I recently dug into why answers so often sit in the middle—and what this reveals about our deep, systematic difficulty with randomness. It’s more surprising than you might think. 🧵👇
1/10
1/10
February 10, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Ever notice that multiple‑choice quizzes often feel strangely predictable? I recently dug into why answers so often sit in the middle—and what this reveals about our deep, systematic difficulty with randomness. It’s more surprising than you might think. 🧵👇
1/10
1/10
Delighted to have featured on the latest episode of BBC Radio Crowd Science on the world service - explaining some of the ways we can be tricked by probability and why we are not very good at being random.
Listen here:
Listen here:
CrowdScience - Do multiple choice questions make us biased? - BBC Sounds
CrowdScience listener Griffith asks why a multiple choice quiz answer is rarely ‘a’.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Delighted to have featured on the latest episode of BBC Radio Crowd Science on the world service - explaining some of the ways we can be tricked by probability and why we are not very good at being random.
Listen here:
Listen here:
"It took decades of painstaking work at the US Naval Weapons Laboratory for her to come up with the geodesic systems that would allow the precise measurements and mapping needed for the technology – her work nevertheless transformed modern life."
Gladys West obituary
Mathematician whose work at the US Naval Weapons Laboratory was pivotal to the development of GPS
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:00 AM
"It took decades of painstaking work at the US Naval Weapons Laboratory for her to come up with the geodesic systems that would allow the precise measurements and mapping needed for the technology – her work nevertheless transformed modern life."
Reposted by Kit Yates
Evidence has emerged that RFKJr lied about his infamous 2019 trip to Samoa after which measles vax uptake plummeted and measles cases spiralled resulting in 83 deaths and thousands of measles cases …🧵 #HealthPolicy
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Evidence has emerged that RFKJr lied about his infamous 2019 trip to Samoa after which measles vax uptake plummeted and measles cases spiralled resulting in 83 deaths and thousands of measles cases …🧵 #HealthPolicy
Reposted by Kit Yates
This is exactly what I needed to start a grey chill Tuesday in a week filled with news of friends' various deaths and with a difficult family gathering looming at the weekend...
Laws of physics, fractals, chaos theory... these things are beautiful.
People- meh, not so much, at times...
Laws of physics, fractals, chaos theory... these things are beautiful.
People- meh, not so much, at times...
Excited to be heading to the Old Vic for the press night performance of Arcadia - the play on which I've been maths/science consultant.
If you want to know more about the Maths and Science in the play before you go then check out my latest substack:
If you want to know more about the Maths and Science in the play before you go then check out my latest substack:
Et in Arcadia ego
Maths, desire and time’s arrow meet at the Old Vic: as I discover as Arcadia's science consultant
kityates.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:43 AM
This is exactly what I needed to start a grey chill Tuesday in a week filled with news of friends' various deaths and with a difficult family gathering looming at the weekend...
Laws of physics, fractals, chaos theory... these things are beautiful.
People- meh, not so much, at times...
Laws of physics, fractals, chaos theory... these things are beautiful.
People- meh, not so much, at times...
In the next round of Kit with statues of famous dead people…
Can anyone guess who this is/where I am?
Can anyone guess who this is/where I am?
February 4, 2026 at 4:31 PM
In the next round of Kit with statues of famous dead people…
Can anyone guess who this is/where I am?
Can anyone guess who this is/where I am?