Alison Palkhivala
@alisonpalk.bsky.social
Vaccines, science, empathy, and all the good stuff that goes with it
I'm a medical writer #neisvoid
I'm a medical writer #neisvoid
Pinned
Alison Palkhivala
@alisonpalk.bsky.social
· Nov 25
a man wearing a black hat and a black shirt is standing in front of a white building .
Alt: a man wearing a black hat and a black shirt is standing in front of a white building. He removes his red mask to reveal his face -- it is Lee Pace in Tarsem's The Fall
media.tenor.com
If you end a viewing of The Fall weeping like a baby, then you are My People
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
Antivaxxers own this. Infectious disease minimizers own this. Public health officials and media who keep promoting immunity debt own this.
The come back of pertussis and Measles is only the beginning of the resurgence of preventable infectious diseases in the US. This has been one of the biggest public health failures of 2025 and the competition is tough.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/30/h...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/30/h...
The US has seen nearly 28,000 whooping cough cases this year. Here’s what you need to know | CNN
For the second year in a row, the US has surpassed 25,000 whooping cough cases — another sign of the risks of falling vaccination levels.
www.cnn.com
December 30, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Antivaxxers own this. Infectious disease minimizers own this. Public health officials and media who keep promoting immunity debt own this.
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
Aside from the sheer entitlement of a man who had a FORTY year career in Harvard and is whining about things changing, there is something about how much the pandemic has radicalized so many people. Simply being asked to mask seems to have broken some people’s minds entirely.
The reason this Harvard history professor decided he was done with one of the best and most privileged jobs in the world was, in his own words, because he was forced to lecture in a mask during peak Covid.
I’m not making this up.
I’m not making this up.
December 31, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Aside from the sheer entitlement of a man who had a FORTY year career in Harvard and is whining about things changing, there is something about how much the pandemic has radicalized so many people. Simply being asked to mask seems to have broken some people’s minds entirely.
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
I'm #OneOfTheTwo who Jon Stewart mocked for masking as well. I wear mine for several reasons! The list keeps growing
And no, I didn't get sick from this Uber ride despite the driver coughing
And no, I didn't get sick from this Uber ride despite the driver coughing
December 30, 2025 at 1:36 AM
I'm #OneOfTheTwo who Jon Stewart mocked for masking as well. I wear mine for several reasons! The list keeps growing
And no, I didn't get sick from this Uber ride despite the driver coughing
And no, I didn't get sick from this Uber ride despite the driver coughing
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
Dear Jon Stewart,
No one randomly owes you information about their health, their loved one’s health, or, understandably, just wanting to avoid Covid, which is the only way to prevent Long Covid.
No one randomly owes you information about their health, their loved one’s health, or, understandably, just wanting to avoid Covid, which is the only way to prevent Long Covid.
Hey Jon Stewart, jokes about wearing masks aren't funny
Critics of the Daily Show host say he's a hypocrite.
www.motherjones.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Dear Jon Stewart,
No one randomly owes you information about their health, their loved one’s health, or, understandably, just wanting to avoid Covid, which is the only way to prevent Long Covid.
No one randomly owes you information about their health, their loved one’s health, or, understandably, just wanting to avoid Covid, which is the only way to prevent Long Covid.
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
PSA: You don’t owe anyone an explanation about the health reasons why you are wearing a mask.
Badgering others about the tools they need to survive is stigmatizing and ableist, and should have no place in decent society.
Badgering others about the tools they need to survive is stigmatizing and ableist, and should have no place in decent society.
December 29, 2025 at 7:56 PM
PSA: You don’t owe anyone an explanation about the health reasons why you are wearing a mask.
Badgering others about the tools they need to survive is stigmatizing and ableist, and should have no place in decent society.
Badgering others about the tools they need to survive is stigmatizing and ableist, and should have no place in decent society.
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
This message hits hard.
December 27, 2025 at 8:38 PM
This message hits hard.
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
Know what’s worse than illegal migrants…?
Raping children and covering up for ‘em.
Raping children and covering up for ‘em.
December 23, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Know what’s worse than illegal migrants…?
Raping children and covering up for ‘em.
Raping children and covering up for ‘em.
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
If COVID were primarily prevented by handwashing, we'd expect it to surge in water-scarce regions the way true water-washed diseases do.
The fact that it is surging in high-income countries with excellent hygiene is far more consistent with airborne spread than "wash your hands harder"
The fact that it is surging in high-income countries with excellent hygiene is far more consistent with airborne spread than "wash your hands harder"
December 23, 2025 at 7:51 PM
If COVID were primarily prevented by handwashing, we'd expect it to surge in water-scarce regions the way true water-washed diseases do.
The fact that it is surging in high-income countries with excellent hygiene is far more consistent with airborne spread than "wash your hands harder"
The fact that it is surging in high-income countries with excellent hygiene is far more consistent with airborne spread than "wash your hands harder"
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
Because it's an inconvenient narrative
Toronto’s set to hit a 50-year low in homicides. So why do many people think crime is getting worse?
Toronto’s set to hit a 50-year low in homicides. So why do many people think crime is getting worse?
According to a Liaison Strategies poll from October, which looked at 10 cities across Ontario, an average of 70 per cent of people thought that crime rates were going up.
www.thestar.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Because it's an inconvenient narrative
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
Babies are going to die. This is what Donald Trump, Russ Vought, RFK Jr., Marty Makary, Vinay Prasad, Tracy Beth Hoeg, Jay Bhattacharya and Matthew Memoli have brought us. Avoidable child deaths from preventable infectious diseases. www.statnews.com/2025/12/19/d...
Why Denmark's vaccine schedule works for Denmark — but not for the United States
With its vaccine schedule, “Denmark has made a values choice to accept preventable hospitalizations and illnesses that other countries have chosen to prevent.”
www.statnews.com
December 20, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Babies are going to die. This is what Donald Trump, Russ Vought, RFK Jr., Marty Makary, Vinay Prasad, Tracy Beth Hoeg, Jay Bhattacharya and Matthew Memoli have brought us. Avoidable child deaths from preventable infectious diseases. www.statnews.com/2025/12/19/d...
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
It is utterly catastrophic that RFK Jr. plans to end CDC recommendations for most childhood vaccines.
It’s a betrayal of science, ethics, compassion, and the people of the United States.
And it was also a specific goal of Project 2025 (page 254).
It’s a betrayal of science, ethics, compassion, and the people of the United States.
And it was also a specific goal of Project 2025 (page 254).
December 20, 2025 at 12:50 AM
It is utterly catastrophic that RFK Jr. plans to end CDC recommendations for most childhood vaccines.
It’s a betrayal of science, ethics, compassion, and the people of the United States.
And it was also a specific goal of Project 2025 (page 254).
It’s a betrayal of science, ethics, compassion, and the people of the United States.
And it was also a specific goal of Project 2025 (page 254).
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
Congratulations to everyone who wrote an op-ed about how he just wants americans to eat better
BREAKING: RFKJr directs that the US instantly stop recommending all vaccinations for children. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Under RFK Jr., U.S. plans to stop recommending most vaccines, defer to doctors
The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Congratulations to everyone who wrote an op-ed about how he just wants americans to eat better
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
RFK Jr.’s handpicked anti-vaccine staff at HHS have apparently decided that the CDC will no longer recommend most childhood vaccines.
They will encourage parents to discuss it with doctors instead.
This is going to kill babies, and it will cause the most harm among the most vulnerable.
They will encourage parents to discuss it with doctors instead.
This is going to kill babies, and it will cause the most harm among the most vulnerable.
U.S. plans to stop recommending most childhood vaccines, defer to doctors
The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:34 AM
RFK Jr.’s handpicked anti-vaccine staff at HHS have apparently decided that the CDC will no longer recommend most childhood vaccines.
They will encourage parents to discuss it with doctors instead.
This is going to kill babies, and it will cause the most harm among the most vulnerable.
They will encourage parents to discuss it with doctors instead.
This is going to kill babies, and it will cause the most harm among the most vulnerable.
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
Minnesota Republican Representative Tom Emmer was asked directly if he agreed with President Trump’s assessment that the thousands of Somali residents he represents are “garbage.”
He couldn’t give a straight answer. trib.al/Y59q32v
He couldn’t give a straight answer. trib.al/Y59q32v
December 17, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Minnesota Republican Representative Tom Emmer was asked directly if he agreed with President Trump’s assessment that the thousands of Somali residents he represents are “garbage.”
He couldn’t give a straight answer. trib.al/Y59q32v
He couldn’t give a straight answer. trib.al/Y59q32v
Formaldehyde is something anti vaxxera go nuts over when trace amounts are in vaccines. In the environment? No problem!
In a highly unusual move, the EPA is revising an assessment of the health dangers posed by formaldehyde, a widespread pollutant that causes far more cancer than any other chemical in the air.
By @fastlerner.bsky.social
By @fastlerner.bsky.social
Under Former Chemical Industry Insiders, Trump EPA Nearly Doubles Amount of Formaldehyde Considered Safe to Inhale
Chemical industry lobbyists have long pushed the government to adopt a less stringent approach to gauging the cancer risk from chemicals, one that would help ease regulations on companies that make or...
www.propublica.org
December 17, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Formaldehyde is something anti vaxxera go nuts over when trace amounts are in vaccines. In the environment? No problem!
Any Canadian healthcare workers with longCOVID interested in sharing their story for a piece I'm writing for Medscape? Please DM me. Pls share #longCOVID
December 12, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Any Canadian healthcare workers with longCOVID interested in sharing their story for a piece I'm writing for Medscape? Please DM me. Pls share #longCOVID
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
SCOOP: Academy Award-nominee Liam Neeson narrated a recent anti-vaccine documentary that glorifies RFK Jr.’s rise to power.
In the film, Neeson—a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador—calls the COVID-19 vaccines “dangerous experiments.”
www.importantcontext.news/p/liam-neeso...
In the film, Neeson—a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador—calls the COVID-19 vaccines “dangerous experiments.”
www.importantcontext.news/p/liam-neeso...
Liam Neeson Narrates Anti-Vax, Pro-RFK Documentary
The Taken actor can be heard calling mRNA COVID vaccines “dangerous experiments.”
www.importantcontext.news
December 11, 2025 at 5:52 PM
SCOOP: Academy Award-nominee Liam Neeson narrated a recent anti-vaccine documentary that glorifies RFK Jr.’s rise to power.
In the film, Neeson—a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador—calls the COVID-19 vaccines “dangerous experiments.”
www.importantcontext.news/p/liam-neeso...
In the film, Neeson—a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador—calls the COVID-19 vaccines “dangerous experiments.”
www.importantcontext.news/p/liam-neeso...
If you're a woman being dismissed despite concerning cardiovascular symptoms, maybe ask about some of the stuff I describe here.
Still lots of work to do!
@cwhhalliance.bsky.social @ontariohealthstudy.bsky.social @heartinstitute.bsky.social @heartandstroke.bsky.social
url-shortener.me/2XBO
Still lots of work to do!
@cwhhalliance.bsky.social @ontariohealthstudy.bsky.social @heartinstitute.bsky.social @heartandstroke.bsky.social
url-shortener.me/2XBO
The Fight to Improve Cardiovascular Care for Canadian Women
Canadian leaders in women’s health warn that the unique pathophysiology and presentation of cardiovascular disease in women is poorly understood.
www.medscape.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:04 PM
If you're a woman being dismissed despite concerning cardiovascular symptoms, maybe ask about some of the stuff I describe here.
Still lots of work to do!
@cwhhalliance.bsky.social @ontariohealthstudy.bsky.social @heartinstitute.bsky.social @heartandstroke.bsky.social
url-shortener.me/2XBO
Still lots of work to do!
@cwhhalliance.bsky.social @ontariohealthstudy.bsky.social @heartinstitute.bsky.social @heartandstroke.bsky.social
url-shortener.me/2XBO
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
White House Begins Christmas Season With Ceremonial Lighting Of Cross
December 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
White House Begins Christmas Season With Ceremonial Lighting Of Cross
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
It’s been two weeks since ICE took Yuanxin Zheng from his father. He is six years old. He’s still not home. This has to end.
December 10, 2025 at 10:32 PM
It’s been two weeks since ICE took Yuanxin Zheng from his father. He is six years old. He’s still not home. This has to end.
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
As I noted a few weeks ago, my colleagues and I identified the area of Arizona where the measles outbreak has exploded as a region of low vaccination coverage a decade ago.
There is no question that undervaccinated areas are dangerous, and we can predict where outbreaks will grow.
There is no question that undervaccinated areas are dangerous, and we can predict where outbreaks will grow.
US exceeds 1,900 measles cases as outbreaks expand
www.cidrap.umn.edu
December 10, 2025 at 10:30 PM
As I noted a few weeks ago, my colleagues and I identified the area of Arizona where the measles outbreak has exploded as a region of low vaccination coverage a decade ago.
There is no question that undervaccinated areas are dangerous, and we can predict where outbreaks will grow.
There is no question that undervaccinated areas are dangerous, and we can predict where outbreaks will grow.
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
In other news, the whole thing about Calibri v. TNR isn't about a font face, it's about the fact that Calibri is easier for people with some disabilities to read.
They think any accommodation, however painless, should stop.
They think any accommodation, however painless, should stop.
December 10, 2025 at 3:08 PM
In other news, the whole thing about Calibri v. TNR isn't about a font face, it's about the fact that Calibri is easier for people with some disabilities to read.
They think any accommodation, however painless, should stop.
They think any accommodation, however painless, should stop.
Reposted by Alison Palkhivala
After MTG lied about me for weeks, she said that she felt bad for my unborn child because he'd have me as a mother. Her rhetoric led to threats against my family.
No one, even her, should receive threats like those, but I'd like to see her own up to the role she played in creating them for others.
No one, even her, should receive threats like those, but I'd like to see her own up to the role she played in creating them for others.
Marjorie Taylor Greene: "I sent those deaths threats directly to him in a text message & informed him of what his name calling & words were doing - it was a direct assassination threat on my son. And he was extremely - I won't repeat what he said - but it was extremely unkind. No sympathy. No care"
December 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
After MTG lied about me for weeks, she said that she felt bad for my unborn child because he'd have me as a mother. Her rhetoric led to threats against my family.
No one, even her, should receive threats like those, but I'd like to see her own up to the role she played in creating them for others.
No one, even her, should receive threats like those, but I'd like to see her own up to the role she played in creating them for others.