Lakshmi G
@lakshmi-ganapathi.bsky.social
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Physician/ Global Public Health
Reposted by Lakshmi G
Bad-faith actors have employed a well-worn playbook to advance their commercial, political, and personal agendas. Analyses that do not account for the underlying political economy of these scientifically irrational but commercially logical policy decisions are incomplete.
bsky.app/profile/char...
bsky.app/profile/char...
Panel behind new dietary guidelines had financial ties to beef, dairy industries, via @statnews.com
Panel behind new dietary guidelines had financial ties to beef, dairy industries
The industry connections of an advisory panel for the new dietary guidelines are notable, especially in light of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s criticism of corporate influence.
www.statnews.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Bad-faith actors have employed a well-worn playbook to advance their commercial, political, and personal agendas. Analyses that do not account for the underlying political economy of these scientifically irrational but commercially logical policy decisions are incomplete.
bsky.app/profile/char...
bsky.app/profile/char...
Reposted by Lakshmi G
In 1933 a plurality of Germans voted for the NSDAP -- winning an election doesn't make your actions moral.
January 8, 2026 at 3:49 PM
In 1933 a plurality of Germans voted for the NSDAP -- winning an election doesn't make your actions moral.
1/The newspapers of the day are complicit in the erosion of public health in the US. In their quest for “diverse” views and ”both sides”, what they have failed to ask is whether said opinion writers (in this case Emily Oster) actually have the foundational expertise to comment on public health.
If you are reading Oster's NYT OpEd on nutrition guidelines, then you missed this take on vaccine schedules:
"The vaccines removed from the schedule are generally those for diseases that are less common and usually less serious."
*Hepatitis B is a serious disease*
parentdata.org/what-changed...
"The vaccines removed from the schedule are generally those for diseases that are less common and usually less serious."
*Hepatitis B is a serious disease*
parentdata.org/what-changed...
What Changed in the Childhood Vaccine Schedule? | ParentData by Emily Oster
The CDC has changed the childhood vaccine schedule. What changed, what didn’t, and what it means for parents—without panic, and without misinformation.
parentdata.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:16 PM
1/The newspapers of the day are complicit in the erosion of public health in the US. In their quest for “diverse” views and ”both sides”, what they have failed to ask is whether said opinion writers (in this case Emily Oster) actually have the foundational expertise to comment on public health.
@gregggonsalves.bsky.social details the ouster of Dr. Bassett from HSPH’s FXB Center for Human Rights as it should be told. Leaders in academia using DEI & language of justice when it brings funding but abandoning these when inconvenient is even more glaring now.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Harvard’s Ouster of Mary Bassett Is a Revolting Act of Cowardice
The public health icon was brutally removed from her job for one reason: her opposition to genocide in Gaza.
www.thenation.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:44 AM
@gregggonsalves.bsky.social details the ouster of Dr. Bassett from HSPH’s FXB Center for Human Rights as it should be told. Leaders in academia using DEI & language of justice when it brings funding but abandoning these when inconvenient is even more glaring now.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
I just finished a stretch of hospital clinical service and anecdotally was struck by how many children who were in for other reasons had yet to receive the flu vaccine. It is not too late to get a flu vaccine this year. The flu kills the healthy, including children.
January 7, 2026 at 4:36 PM
I just finished a stretch of hospital clinical service and anecdotally was struck by how many children who were in for other reasons had yet to receive the flu vaccine. It is not too late to get a flu vaccine this year. The flu kills the healthy, including children.
Reposted by Lakshmi G
@gavinyamey.bsky.social and @jonshaffer.bsky.social write reminding physicians of the commitment to doing no harm..."Trump and RFK Jr are dismantling the core institutions of public health—doctors should be resisting their damaging health policies, not supporting them."
🆕 In a new piece in @bmj.com, @jonshaffer.bsky.social & I argue that the powerful physicians who lead federal agencies—e.g., the NIH & FDA—should be RESISTING Trump & RFK Jr’s damaging health policies
Instead, they’re collaborating with them, aiding & abetting the harm
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
Instead, they’re collaborating with them, aiding & abetting the harm
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
Trump and RFK Jr are dismantling public health—aided and abetted by powerful doctors
High profile physicians should be using their positions of power to resist Trump and RFK Jr’s damaging policies, not collaborating with them, say Gavin Yamey and Jonathan Shaffer
President Donald Tr...
www.bmj.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:39 PM
@gavinyamey.bsky.social and @jonshaffer.bsky.social write reminding physicians of the commitment to doing no harm..."Trump and RFK Jr are dismantling the core institutions of public health—doctors should be resisting their damaging health policies, not supporting them."
Reposted by Lakshmi G
You cannot simultaneously care about maintaining measles elimination status while actively campaigning against the vaccine that allowed this elimination status to be achieved in the first place.
That's not how any of this works 🤷🏽♀️
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
That's not how any of this works 🤷🏽♀️
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
US builds case to retain measles elimination status as infections mount
U.S. officials are building a case that ongoing measles outbreaks in South Carolina and other states are unrelated to last year's major outbreak in Texas, as it tries to retain its status of having el...
www.reuters.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:34 PM
You cannot simultaneously care about maintaining measles elimination status while actively campaigning against the vaccine that allowed this elimination status to be achieved in the first place.
That's not how any of this works 🤷🏽♀️
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
That's not how any of this works 🤷🏽♀️
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
Reposted by Lakshmi G
Yesterday, I had an exchange w a scholar who defended Bhattacharya & Makary as reasonable thinkers after the vaccine schedule change announcement, arguing for the need for civility.
I argue here that we shouldn't prioritize civility over sound health policy
mirandayaver.substack.com/p/bless-thei...
I argue here that we shouldn't prioritize civility over sound health policy
mirandayaver.substack.com/p/bless-thei...
January 6, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Yesterday, I had an exchange w a scholar who defended Bhattacharya & Makary as reasonable thinkers after the vaccine schedule change announcement, arguing for the need for civility.
I argue here that we shouldn't prioritize civility over sound health policy
mirandayaver.substack.com/p/bless-thei...
I argue here that we shouldn't prioritize civility over sound health policy
mirandayaver.substack.com/p/bless-thei...
Reposted by Lakshmi G
Thx for the kind words—& for amplifying
While some physicians have pursued power by collaborating with Trump & RFK Jr to dismantle public health, many physicians, nurses, & public health workers are FIGHTING BACK
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social & @standupforscience.bsky.social are DOING THE WORK💪
While some physicians have pursued power by collaborating with Trump & RFK Jr to dismantle public health, many physicians, nurses, & public health workers are FIGHTING BACK
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social & @standupforscience.bsky.social are DOING THE WORK💪
January 6, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Thx for the kind words—& for amplifying
While some physicians have pursued power by collaborating with Trump & RFK Jr to dismantle public health, many physicians, nurses, & public health workers are FIGHTING BACK
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social & @standupforscience.bsky.social are DOING THE WORK💪
While some physicians have pursued power by collaborating with Trump & RFK Jr to dismantle public health, many physicians, nurses, & public health workers are FIGHTING BACK
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social & @standupforscience.bsky.social are DOING THE WORK💪
Reposted by Lakshmi G
“The present administration will continue to destroy evidence based public health programmes and policies unless clinicians, public health workers, and citizens fight back”.
Excellent article by @jonshaffer.bsky.social and @gavinyamey.bsky.social on the phenomenon of doctors who broke bad.
Excellent article by @jonshaffer.bsky.social and @gavinyamey.bsky.social on the phenomenon of doctors who broke bad.
Trump and RFK Jr are dismantling public health—aided and abetted by powerful doctors
High profile physicians should be using their positions of power to resist Trump and RFK Jr’s damaging policies, not collaborating with them, say Gavin Yamey and Jonathan Shaffer
President Donald Tr...
www.bmj.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:29 PM
“The present administration will continue to destroy evidence based public health programmes and policies unless clinicians, public health workers, and citizens fight back”.
Excellent article by @jonshaffer.bsky.social and @gavinyamey.bsky.social on the phenomenon of doctors who broke bad.
Excellent article by @jonshaffer.bsky.social and @gavinyamey.bsky.social on the phenomenon of doctors who broke bad.
Reposted by Lakshmi G
🧵This needs to be said. There were many in ID who during Covid agreed along with the current leaders of NIH & FDA in their naysaying, and collaborated with them (remember urgency of normal?) who are now being quoted in the press saying, “By golly we don’t agree now!” www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/o...
Opinion | We Didn’t Get Covid Right. But This Is Just Wrong.
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:59 PM
🧵This needs to be said. There were many in ID who during Covid agreed along with the current leaders of NIH & FDA in their naysaying, and collaborated with them (remember urgency of normal?) who are now being quoted in the press saying, “By golly we don’t agree now!” www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/o...
Reposted by Lakshmi G
Good to see Trump chain Makary, Oz, and Bhattacharya to this policy.
Leaves no doubt moving forward that every sick child moving forward is on their hands too.
Leaves no doubt moving forward that every sick child moving forward is on their hands too.
To be clear, this vaccine policy is Trump's policy. He wants to own it and he should — and whatever comes of it.
January 6, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Good to see Trump chain Makary, Oz, and Bhattacharya to this policy.
Leaves no doubt moving forward that every sick child moving forward is on their hands too.
Leaves no doubt moving forward that every sick child moving forward is on their hands too.
Pediatric ID Physician here. I‘ll never forget the young adult who lost her limbs to disseminated meningococcal ds, I‘ll never forget the healthy children who did not get the flu vaccine and were well one day, and dead the next. The HHS is the biggest threat to children’s health.
Read our full statement by AAP President Dr. Andrew Racine on today’s HHS announcement about the childhood immunization schedule: www.aap.org/en/news-room...
January 6, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Pediatric ID Physician here. I‘ll never forget the young adult who lost her limbs to disseminated meningococcal ds, I‘ll never forget the healthy children who did not get the flu vaccine and were well one day, and dead the next. The HHS is the biggest threat to children’s health.
Reposted by Lakshmi G
Today’s announcement that HHS is drastically altering the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule without a transparent process or clear scientific justification represents the latest reckless step in Secretary Kennedy’s assault on the national vaccine infrastructure.
Our statement: https://bit.ly/497Tj8V
Our statement: https://bit.ly/497Tj8V
January 5, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Today’s announcement that HHS is drastically altering the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule without a transparent process or clear scientific justification represents the latest reckless step in Secretary Kennedy’s assault on the national vaccine infrastructure.
Our statement: https://bit.ly/497Tj8V
Our statement: https://bit.ly/497Tj8V
Reposted by Lakshmi G
1). The US is in the middle of the worst flu season in a decade.
2). Pertussis cases are the highest they have been in 20 years.
3). Measles has rebounded and elimination status has been lost.
RFK.Jr. has not recommended vaccination, instead he is aggressively rolling back vaccine policy.
2). Pertussis cases are the highest they have been in 20 years.
3). Measles has rebounded and elimination status has been lost.
RFK.Jr. has not recommended vaccination, instead he is aggressively rolling back vaccine policy.
January 5, 2026 at 8:42 PM
1). The US is in the middle of the worst flu season in a decade.
2). Pertussis cases are the highest they have been in 20 years.
3). Measles has rebounded and elimination status has been lost.
RFK.Jr. has not recommended vaccination, instead he is aggressively rolling back vaccine policy.
2). Pertussis cases are the highest they have been in 20 years.
3). Measles has rebounded and elimination status has been lost.
RFK.Jr. has not recommended vaccination, instead he is aggressively rolling back vaccine policy.
Reposted by Lakshmi G
What direction will we take the future of our field of public health?
We are at a crossroads
Dr. Mary Bassett represents the best of us, and I hope will continue to be supported in leading the way forward
Heartened to see much support for her on this petition
docs.google.com/document/d/e...
We are at a crossroads
Dr. Mary Bassett represents the best of us, and I hope will continue to be supported in leading the way forward
Heartened to see much support for her on this petition
docs.google.com/document/d/e...
Petition to Reinstate Dr. Mary Bassett as the FXB Center Director
docs.google.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:29 PM
What direction will we take the future of our field of public health?
We are at a crossroads
Dr. Mary Bassett represents the best of us, and I hope will continue to be supported in leading the way forward
Heartened to see much support for her on this petition
docs.google.com/document/d/e...
We are at a crossroads
Dr. Mary Bassett represents the best of us, and I hope will continue to be supported in leading the way forward
Heartened to see much support for her on this petition
docs.google.com/document/d/e...
Reposted by Lakshmi G
Incredibly depressing capitulation by an organization that could do a hell of a lot better
Dr. Mary T. Bassett is one of the bravest people I have met in my lifetime - her moral compass and commitment to justice are unmatched. Shame, shame, shame on Harvard. Her ouster is shocking yet unsurprising and on brand for the University.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Harvard Dismisses Director of FXB Center for Health and Human Rights | News | The Harvard Crimson
Harvard forced out the director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights — another shakeup at a center whose programming on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been a flashpoint...
www.thecrimson.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Incredibly depressing capitulation by an organization that could do a hell of a lot better
Reposted by Lakshmi G
It's difficult to convey the magnitude of appreciation I have for Dr. Mary Bassett's principled leadership and contributions to public health, but
This video from her last day as the New York City Department of Health
Commissioner comes close
fb.watch/DVGL9J9Ew1/?...
This video from her last day as the New York City Department of Health
Commissioner comes close
fb.watch/DVGL9J9Ew1/?...
December 10, 2025 at 10:17 PM
It's difficult to convey the magnitude of appreciation I have for Dr. Mary Bassett's principled leadership and contributions to public health, but
This video from her last day as the New York City Department of Health
Commissioner comes close
fb.watch/DVGL9J9Ew1/?...
This video from her last day as the New York City Department of Health
Commissioner comes close
fb.watch/DVGL9J9Ew1/?...
Reposted by Lakshmi G
A dark day for human rights on Human Rights Day
Dr. Mary T. Bassett is one of the bravest people I have met in my lifetime - her moral compass and commitment to justice are unmatched. Shame, shame, shame on Harvard. Her ouster is shocking yet unsurprising and on brand for the University.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Harvard Dismisses Director of FXB Center for Health and Human Rights | News | The Harvard Crimson
Harvard forced out the director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights — another shakeup at a center whose programming on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been a flashpoint...
www.thecrimson.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:24 PM
A dark day for human rights on Human Rights Day
Reposted by Lakshmi G
Dr. Mary T. Bassett is one of the bravest people I have met in my lifetime - her moral compass and commitment to justice are unmatched. Shame, shame, shame on Harvard. Her ouster is shocking yet unsurprising and on brand for the University.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Harvard Dismisses Director of FXB Center for Health and Human Rights | News | The Harvard Crimson
Harvard forced out the director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights — another shakeup at a center whose programming on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been a flashpoint...
www.thecrimson.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Dr. Mary T. Bassett is one of the bravest people I have met in my lifetime - her moral compass and commitment to justice are unmatched. Shame, shame, shame on Harvard. Her ouster is shocking yet unsurprising and on brand for the University.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Shame on you, Harvard for terminating Dr. Bassett’s leadership at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights.
"We don't have to have all the answers to call for change...We just need courage."
Dr. Mary Bassett, "Why your doctor should care about social justice," TEDMED 2015.
www.ted.com/talks/mary_b...
Dr. Mary Bassett, "Why your doctor should care about social justice," TEDMED 2015.
www.ted.com/talks/mary_b...
Why your doctor should care about social justice
In Zimbabwe in the 1980s, Mary Bassett witnessed the AIDS epidemic firsthand, and she helped set up a clinic to treat and educate local people about the deadly virus. But looking back, she regrets not...
www.ted.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Shame on you, Harvard for terminating Dr. Bassett’s leadership at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights.
Reposted by Lakshmi G
"We don't have to have all the answers to call for change...We just need courage."
Dr. Mary Bassett, "Why your doctor should care about social justice," TEDMED 2015.
www.ted.com/talks/mary_b...
Dr. Mary Bassett, "Why your doctor should care about social justice," TEDMED 2015.
www.ted.com/talks/mary_b...
Why your doctor should care about social justice
In Zimbabwe in the 1980s, Mary Bassett witnessed the AIDS epidemic firsthand, and she helped set up a clinic to treat and educate local people about the deadly virus. But looking back, she regrets not...
www.ted.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
"We don't have to have all the answers to call for change...We just need courage."
Dr. Mary Bassett, "Why your doctor should care about social justice," TEDMED 2015.
www.ted.com/talks/mary_b...
Dr. Mary Bassett, "Why your doctor should care about social justice," TEDMED 2015.
www.ted.com/talks/mary_b...
Reposted by Lakshmi G
The US is close to an institutional collapse across multiple public health agencies. Trump/RFK have purged anyone with expertise, many have fled and they’ve been replaced w functionaries who are either incompetent or malicious. I don’t think many understand how close to the edge we are right now.
a night time view of a city with a few buildings lit up
ALT: a night time view of a city with a few buildings lit up
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:06 PM
The US is close to an institutional collapse across multiple public health agencies. Trump/RFK have purged anyone with expertise, many have fled and they’ve been replaced w functionaries who are either incompetent or malicious. I don’t think many understand how close to the edge we are right now.
Reposted by Lakshmi G
Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us. Let’s not let.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
I guess I am hitting a nerve, because they just put me on admin leave.
TikTok video by Jenna
www.tiktok.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us. Let’s not let.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/