Rebecca C Christofferson
@rchristo.bsky.social
Virologist/epi. Jazz, 🐈, puns. Oxford comma for evah. Views mine alone and do not represent any organizational affiliations. RT/like != endorse. I stand w Ukraine. Twitter: RC_Epi
The rotation has begun
November 30, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The rotation has begun
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
After the Zika outbreak ended in Brazil, many families faced a new reality: a child whose life was irrevocably altered after the mother contracted the virus while pregnant. Here's what happened next. n.pr/48bOXNK
These Zika mothers went to battle — and their cry was heard
After the Zika outbreak ended in Brazil, many families faced a new reality: a child whose life was irrevocably altered after the mother contracted the virus while pregnant. Here's what happened next.
n.pr
November 30, 2025 at 1:25 AM
After the Zika outbreak ended in Brazil, many families faced a new reality: a child whose life was irrevocably altered after the mother contracted the virus while pregnant. Here's what happened next. n.pr/48bOXNK
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
The Boston Public Health Commission is telling residents “do not visit CDC.gov” for “reliable, trustworthy” information on vaccines. https://www.masslive.com/boston/2025/11/boston-health-officials-do-not-visit-cdcgov-for-vaccine-information.html
Ditto re Maine:
Ditto re Maine:
Boston health officials tell residents not to visit CDC website after change about vaccines, autism
Boston Public Health Commission advises against using CDC as a reliable source after federal agency alters longstanding position on vaccines and autism.
www.masslive.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:58 AM
The Boston Public Health Commission is telling residents “do not visit CDC.gov” for “reliable, trustworthy” information on vaccines. https://www.masslive.com/boston/2025/11/boston-health-officials-do-not-visit-cdcgov-for-vaccine-information.html
Ditto re Maine:
Ditto re Maine:
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
After you read the Prasad memo, read this.
Covid-19 vaccines protect children from severe disease. Here is the evidence
“Over and over again, Covid-19 has shown it can cause severe disease in children, disease that is preventable by a safe and effective vaccine,” writes former CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.
www.statnews.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:28 AM
After you read the Prasad memo, read this.
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1965: 20-1
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1990: 75-1
CEO-to-worker pay ratio today: 280-to-1
Trickle-down economics was always a sham.
Nothing has ever trickled down.
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1990: 75-1
CEO-to-worker pay ratio today: 280-to-1
Trickle-down economics was always a sham.
Nothing has ever trickled down.
November 29, 2025 at 11:01 PM
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1965: 20-1
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1990: 75-1
CEO-to-worker pay ratio today: 280-to-1
Trickle-down economics was always a sham.
Nothing has ever trickled down.
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1990: 75-1
CEO-to-worker pay ratio today: 280-to-1
Trickle-down economics was always a sham.
Nothing has ever trickled down.
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
Superb thread
Finally got around to reading Prasad's actual memo about the purported deaths in children from COVID-19 vaccines, and it's kind of amazing in the worst ways possible.
At one point, he says (regarding rare adverse events):
"Causality is easy to assess in a randomized trial..."
At one point, he says (regarding rare adverse events):
"Causality is easy to assess in a randomized trial..."
November 30, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Superb thread
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
The Ex-President Whom Trump Plans to Pardon Flooded America With Cocaine www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/n...
The Ex-President Whom Trump Plans to Pardon Flooded America With Cocaine
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 10:23 AM
The Ex-President Whom Trump Plans to Pardon Flooded America With Cocaine www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/n...
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
Finally getting off the other site and reengaging with social media. Please follow and suggest good folks to follow on here!
November 29, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Finally getting off the other site and reengaging with social media. Please follow and suggest good folks to follow on here!
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
“Based on the available evidence, the skills that future graduates will most need in the AI era—creative thinking, the capacity to learn new things, flexible modes of analysis—are precisely those that are likely to be eroded by inserting AI into the educational process.”
“When you allow a machine to summarize your reading, to generate the ideas for your essay, and then to write that essay, you’re not learning how to read, think, or write.“
November 30, 2025 at 11:10 AM
“Based on the available evidence, the skills that future graduates will most need in the AI era—creative thinking, the capacity to learn new things, flexible modes of analysis—are precisely those that are likely to be eroded by inserting AI into the educational process.”
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
Pretty much ANY statistic you see cited to frighten you about vaccines comes from the VAERS database. (Including the recent evidence-free missive from Vinay Prasad). Here's why VAERS can NEVER be a proper source for population-level vaccine risk estimates.
Thread [1/9]
Thread [1/9]
November 30, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Pretty much ANY statistic you see cited to frighten you about vaccines comes from the VAERS database. (Including the recent evidence-free missive from Vinay Prasad). Here's why VAERS can NEVER be a proper source for population-level vaccine risk estimates.
Thread [1/9]
Thread [1/9]
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
I have presented evidence to the WHO about benefits, harms, and cost-effectiveness of vaccines and vaccine strategies in order to seek changes to policy. These have been years-long endeavors with every word and every data point scrutinized.
Prasad wields the FDA like a drunk with a sledgehammer.
Prasad wields the FDA like a drunk with a sledgehammer.
F.D.A. Attributes 10 Children’s Deaths to Covid Vaccines
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I have presented evidence to the WHO about benefits, harms, and cost-effectiveness of vaccines and vaccine strategies in order to seek changes to policy. These have been years-long endeavors with every word and every data point scrutinized.
Prasad wields the FDA like a drunk with a sledgehammer.
Prasad wields the FDA like a drunk with a sledgehammer.
In teaching my global One Health course, I came to realize the environmental cost of fast fashion. I've started mending my shirts - badly, mind you :)
Today I saw this bit of good news and it'll change who I shop with, for sure!
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/a...
Today I saw this bit of good news and it'll change who I shop with, for sure!
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/a...
Allbirds, H&M and Zara use recycled yarns from this Virginia startup that's backed by Patagonia
Circ has a proprietary chemical process that separates blended fabrics into their original fibers in order to recycle clothing.
www.cnbc.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:52 PM
In teaching my global One Health course, I came to realize the environmental cost of fast fashion. I've started mending my shirts - badly, mind you :)
Today I saw this bit of good news and it'll change who I shop with, for sure!
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/a...
Today I saw this bit of good news and it'll change who I shop with, for sure!
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/a...
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
The Global Fund has fallen short of its $18 billion target, risking the progress made against AIDS, TB, and malaria.
Our latest Editorial discusses the challenges and opportunities in shaping the future of global health investment.
Read this & more: spkl.io/63321A5zXh
Our latest Editorial discusses the challenges and opportunities in shaping the future of global health investment.
Read this & more: spkl.io/63321A5zXh
November 28, 2025 at 12:04 PM
The Global Fund has fallen short of its $18 billion target, risking the progress made against AIDS, TB, and malaria.
Our latest Editorial discusses the challenges and opportunities in shaping the future of global health investment.
Read this & more: spkl.io/63321A5zXh
Our latest Editorial discusses the challenges and opportunities in shaping the future of global health investment.
Read this & more: spkl.io/63321A5zXh
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
The statistic comes from an AI company, so I can’t swear to the veracity but it is too much regardless of the actual number.
November 28, 2025 at 12:17 AM
The statistic comes from an AI company, so I can’t swear to the veracity but it is too much regardless of the actual number.
Happy Thanksgiving! It’s hard to focus on the good stuff when so much of the good stuff that made the US good is being dismantled.
But people everywhere fighting the good fight and empathy and human decency will one day win again.
In the meantime, enjoy the day!
@theawkwardyeti.bsky.social
But people everywhere fighting the good fight and empathy and human decency will one day win again.
In the meantime, enjoy the day!
@theawkwardyeti.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Happy Thanksgiving! It’s hard to focus on the good stuff when so much of the good stuff that made the US good is being dismantled.
But people everywhere fighting the good fight and empathy and human decency will one day win again.
In the meantime, enjoy the day!
@theawkwardyeti.bsky.social
But people everywhere fighting the good fight and empathy and human decency will one day win again.
In the meantime, enjoy the day!
@theawkwardyeti.bsky.social
Color me shocked
"MAGA-branded accounts that present themselves as those of patriotic Americans appear to instead be based overseas in Eastern Europe, Thailand, Nigeria and Bangladesh."
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
X's new location transparency feature unleashes questions about origins of MAGA accounts
The function, which shows that a slew of MAGA-branded accounts are apparently based outside the U.S., also stirred speculative outrage over where the Department of Homeland Security account was create...
www.nbcnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Color me shocked
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
we have PrEP because of these monkey studies. animal welfare in medical research is extremely strictly limited and regulated to ensure ethical use. there is no replacement for these animal models in biomedical research.
EXCLUSIVE: CDC to end all monkey studies. Decision handed down by recent college grad and former DOGE employee who is now deputy chief of staff at the agency. Animals were being used in studies of HIV prevention. Some may be euthanized. My latest for @science.org
Exclusive: CDC to end all monkey research
Studies related to HIV and other infectious diseases will be phased out, sources say; fate of the agency's animals remains unclear
www.science.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM
we have PrEP because of these monkey studies. animal welfare in medical research is extremely strictly limited and regulated to ensure ethical use. there is no replacement for these animal models in biomedical research.
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
Note: I was the one who hired Jamal and was his editor for a year
When Jamal Khashoggi was killed , all the TV networks were chasing me down to have me on to talk about Trump, Mohammed Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia and the murder.
Now that MBS is back in town and being wined and dined by Trump, Musk, Bezos and other tech billionaires?
I have not had one TV invite.
Now that MBS is back in town and being wined and dined by Trump, Musk, Bezos and other tech billionaires?
I have not had one TV invite.
November 20, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Note: I was the one who hired Jamal and was his editor for a year
My aunt died of pancreatic cancer last month. This is a terrible disease and I am forever grateful that people like the Fiegen lab are dedicated to making progress.
Thank you on behalf of Tante. 💜
Thank you on behalf of Tante. 💜
It’s World Pancreatic Cancer Day! The Feigin Lab continues to be dedicated to eradicating this awful disease. #WPCD
November 20, 2025 at 4:21 PM
My aunt died of pancreatic cancer last month. This is a terrible disease and I am forever grateful that people like the Fiegen lab are dedicated to making progress.
Thank you on behalf of Tante. 💜
Thank you on behalf of Tante. 💜
One if my favorite times of the semester is when my dear friend (more like my brother) and colleague Dr Paolo Chirumbolo of Italian Studies (specialization in comparative literature and ecodocumentaries) speaks to my Global One Health course.
Grazie mille, zio paolo 🤣
Grazie mille, zio paolo 🤣
November 20, 2025 at 3:10 PM
One if my favorite times of the semester is when my dear friend (more like my brother) and colleague Dr Paolo Chirumbolo of Italian Studies (specialization in comparative literature and ecodocumentaries) speaks to my Global One Health course.
Grazie mille, zio paolo 🤣
Grazie mille, zio paolo 🤣
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
one thing global public health must focus on as it rebuilds/reorganizes is the study of misinformation and related interventions in LMICs. that work has to start now. can’t be an afterthought. but lack of funding continues to be the main barrier
RFK Jr. says other nations should follow the US lead & bar thimerosal in #vaccines. The preservative safeguards multi-dose vials, a key tool for vaccination drives in many countries. Experts don't think it will happen, but worry that disinformation could take root. www.statnews.com/2025/11/19/r...
RFK Jr.’s warnings on thimerosal in vaccines threaten to instill doubt overseas, experts fear
Health secretary RFK Jr. wants other countries to ban the use of the preservative thimerosal in vaccines, despite research showing it is a safe ingredient.
www.statnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:28 PM
one thing global public health must focus on as it rebuilds/reorganizes is the study of misinformation and related interventions in LMICs. that work has to start now. can’t be an afterthought. but lack of funding continues to be the main barrier
Reposted by Rebecca C Christofferson
The fact that no one in the room stood up for her says a lot about how we got here bsky.app/profile/pale...
"Quiet! Quiet, Piggy."
November 18, 2025 at 2:55 PM
The fact that no one in the room stood up for her says a lot about how we got here bsky.app/profile/pale...
Nobody ever tells you about the part of motherhood that is not dying via tripping over random shit left in the middle of the floor.
Today’s culprit: the violin. (The violin is thankfully fine. My knee… not so much.)
Today’s culprit: the violin. (The violin is thankfully fine. My knee… not so much.)
November 16, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Nobody ever tells you about the part of motherhood that is not dying via tripping over random shit left in the middle of the floor.
Today’s culprit: the violin. (The violin is thankfully fine. My knee… not so much.)
Today’s culprit: the violin. (The violin is thankfully fine. My knee… not so much.)
My student Samm rocked her presentation today at #TropMed2025
Acknowledgement slide featuring Scruffy (dog) and Snowflake (cat).
Acknowledgement slide featuring Scruffy (dog) and Snowflake (cat).
November 12, 2025 at 8:53 PM
My student Samm rocked her presentation today at #TropMed2025
Acknowledgement slide featuring Scruffy (dog) and Snowflake (cat).
Acknowledgement slide featuring Scruffy (dog) and Snowflake (cat).