Rachel Adelson
LightNews LightNews
Rachel Adelson
@rka.bsky.social
76 followers 340 following 16 posts
Editor and writer; science & health literacy.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
rowdyrebel.bsky.social
January 17, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
gregfolkers.bsky.social
CIDRAP Op-ed: Vaccine myths that won’t die and how to counter them—part 2

by Jake Scott, MD @jakescottmd.bsky.social @cidrap.bsky.social

bit.ly/4pJnt7w
January 16, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
boghuma.bsky.social
An oral, mucosal norovirus vaccine given to breastfeeding women can safely induce functional IgA and IgG responses in serum and breast milk.
Phase 1 study but it will be super dope to protect infants from norovirus by vaccinating mum.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Transfer of breast milk IgA to infants after oral bivalent norovirus vaccination of post-partum women - npj Vaccines
npj Vaccines - Transfer of breast milk IgA to infants after oral bivalent norovirus vaccination of post-partum women
www.nature.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
elizabethjacobs.bsky.social
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya has just published a piece about his “new vision” for NIAID.

Friends, it is an infuriating litany of unsupported claims and meandering nonsense that serve his political beliefs and not health or science.
The new vision from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) - Nature Medicine
Preparing for tomorrow’s threats by enhancing our ability to help patients today.
www.nature.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
undark.org
Frostlines takes readers into the Arctic’s warming world, blending travel, natural history, and human stories that show how climate shifts are reshaping lives and landscapes.
Book Review: A Portrait of the Arctic World in Flux
Neil Shea's "Frostlines" captures the terror and beauty of a region often dismissed as “big, cold, white, and far away."
f.mtr.cool
January 16, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
drinfosec.bsky.social
Direct link to the research mentioned in the post above:

The lingering shadow of epidemics: post-acute sequelae across history (Dec 4, 2025)
www.cell.com/trends/immun...

[ FREE PDF available ]
The lingering shadow of epidemics: post-acute sequelae across history
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has drawn global attention to post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS), with millions affected by post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC, or Long COVID). While Long COVID is newly ...
www.cell.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
mark-ungrin.bsky.social
Guess the year...
Failure to discover air-borne infection bacteriologically no more proves its absence, therefore, than failure to isolate B. typhosus from a sewage polluted water proves that typhoid fever cannot be conveyed by drinking water. The epidemiologist has long ceased to regard all dispersed cases of intestinal disease as of local origin, but considers carefully any bacteriological evidence of pollution of the water supply.
January 15, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
elizabethjacobs.bsky.social
I mean the title says it all. Another excellent piece by @gregggonsalves.bsky.social.
Trump’s Death Eaters Are Coming for Our Kids
After taking countless lives around the world, RFK Jr. and his ghoulish compatriots want American children to suffer too.
www.thenation.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
joffirphd.bsky.social
2/ a new medication:

➡️1. Ask your doctor when it was FDA approved. If it's new:

➡️2. check online to see whether approval was expedited. If it was;

➡️3. have a discussion with your doctor about benefits & risks (weigh them more carefully than you have, in the past), & about possible alternatives.
January 15, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
mark-ungrin.bsky.social
This is Canada's equivalent to the RFK/Bhattacharya/Kulldorf/Prasad fringe burning the health sciences to the ground in the US right now. Ours aren't as publicly bombastic, but behind the scenes they're pushing to replace science with the same algorithmic EBM/GRADE slop as their US counterparts.
mark-ungrin.bsky.social Mark Ungrin @mark-ungrin.bsky.social · Dec 16
🧵This looks a lot like the anticipated expansion to the NSF of the roadmap to destroy the NIH laid out by the administration's pseudoscience wing last spring.

This is just the start. These people explicitly claim entitlement to control all of science.

Thread of what's to come:
mark-ungrin.bsky.social Mark Ungrin @mark-ungrin.bsky.social · Apr 4
The roadmap for turning the NIH into an EBM slush fund and shutting down real science. Kulldorf, in the new public health blog ("journal") co-founded by Bhattacharya.

1: Fund based on who applies 🤔, rather than ideas

2: Give ECR grants. But only to "medical, dental and public health school".
January 15, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
carlzimmer.com
One anonymous CDC official described the proposed study to @jeremyfaust.bsky.social this way: "This is another Tuskegee." substack.com/home/post/p-...
Scoop: The leaked protocol of the CDC-funded Hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau. “This is another Tuskegee.”
The protocol reveals that the trial will withhold the Hepatitis B birth dose from thousands—without placebos, without universal maternal screening, and with endpoints critics call indefensible.
substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
gayfabfourfan.bsky.social
Sadly, asking people to mask & take precautions on behalf of others less fortunate doesn’t work so well in these selfish, cruel times. People should be advised to mask in order to save themselves from early death or disability. In fact, everyone is vulnerable to the harms of COVID.
durhamhealthnc.bsky.social Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) @durhamhealthnc.bsky.social · 3d
There is no virus that “only” causes serious harm in people who are high-risk. And even if there were, it would still be important to protect yourself and others. Please take steps to prevent getting and spreading illness in order to protect your own health and the health of others.
If only high-risk people die from that illness, why should I care about it? 1. Because you should care about other people, whether or not they are high-risk. No person is disposable, so it’s important to take steps to protect the people around us. Even if you aren’t concerned about your health, taking steps to prevent illness also helps keep you from spreading illness to people who are even more vulnerable. And remember, you can’t always tell who is most vulnerable just by looking at them! 2. Because people of all ages and health histories can (and do) experience severe illness and die from common viruses. There is no virus that only affects people who are high-risk. Even if certain people are more likely to experience severe illness and death than others, even young and healthy people can and do die from illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, measles, RSV and more. All people should take viruses seriously, even if you are not considered high-risk. 3. Because dying isn’t the only risk. Even if data shows that most people do not die from a certain illness, many illnesses like COVID-19, measles, and more can cause significant long-term health consequences. These risks include permanent lung damage, memory loss, disability, and more. All people, with or without underlying health conditions, are at risk of these long-term conditions. It’s not only about living or dying. It’s also about protecting your quality of life and health you might not get back once it’s gone.
January 14, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
durhamhealthnc.bsky.social
In conclusion (TL;DR):
4. Because it is important to care about yourself and other people. If you do care about others: Remember that there is no such thing as someone who is “only” high-risk. It is important to protect others no matter their age or other health conditions. People with greater risk factors don’t want or deserve to get sick any more than anyone else. But even if you don’t care about others:Remember that there is no virus that “only” affects people who are high-risk. Viruses can and do cause severe illness, long-term health damage, disability, and death in people of all ages and health histories. Lower risk does not mean no risk. Either way, it is important to take steps to protect yourself and other people from viruses:
January 14, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
durhamhealthnc.bsky.social
There is no virus that “only” causes serious harm in people who are high-risk. And even if there were, it would still be important to protect yourself and others. Please take steps to prevent getting and spreading illness in order to protect your own health and the health of others.
If only high-risk people die from that illness, why should I care about it? 1. Because you should care about other people, whether or not they are high-risk. No person is disposable, so it’s important to take steps to protect the people around us. Even if you aren’t concerned about your health, taking steps to prevent illness also helps keep you from spreading illness to people who are even more vulnerable. And remember, you can’t always tell who is most vulnerable just by looking at them! 2. Because people of all ages and health histories can (and do) experience severe illness and die from common viruses. There is no virus that only affects people who are high-risk. Even if certain people are more likely to experience severe illness and death than others, even young and healthy people can and do die from illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, measles, RSV and more. All people should take viruses seriously, even if you are not considered high-risk. 3. Because dying isn’t the only risk. Even if data shows that most people do not die from a certain illness, many illnesses like COVID-19, measles, and more can cause significant long-term health consequences. These risks include permanent lung damage, memory loss, disability, and more. All people, with or without underlying health conditions, are at risk of these long-term conditions. It’s not only about living or dying. It’s also about protecting your quality of life and health you might not get back once it’s gone.
January 14, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
walkerbragman.bsky.social
There’s a big story everyone is missing—but this article hits on it.

We aren’t just seeing public health dismantled bc we’ve been taken over by conspiracy theorists and lunatics.

What we’re really seeing is the giant, predatory, underegulated wellness industry come to Washington.
FDA deletes warning on bogus autism therapies touted by RFK Jr.‘s allies
The agency used to warn of chelation, used by RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine ally David Geier.
arstechnica.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
boghuma.bsky.social
Keeping this up in the new year!
For the next 24h, drop any infectious disease and/or vaccine-related questions in response to this post, and I will do my best to answer them. Answers are for information only, NOT medical advice. Let's do this.
#AskAnIDDoc January 2026 edition.
a man is standing in a kitchen drinking from a cup and talking about flu season .
ALT: a man is standing in a kitchen drinking from a cup and talking about flu season .
media.tenor.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
mynamesnotgordy.bsky.social
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones says she didn't engage Ontario's Chief Doctor during height of flu epidemic because her symptoms passed quickly and was still able to attend Christmas fundraisers.
Health minister says Ontario’s flu season peaked over the holidays | Globalnews.ca
Health Minister Sylvia Jones said she believed flu cases had already peaked for the season, accepting they had strained the province's health-care system.
globalnews.ca
January 13, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
steveve.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
helenbranswell.bsky.social
That we're in a place, at a time, when someone has to write this headline, this article — it's almost unfathomable. Please do read @krutikakuppalli.bsky.social's take. www.statnews.com/2026/01/12/m...
Medical schools must prepare tomorrow’s doctors for yesterday’s diseases
Medical schools must now prepare tomorrow’s doctors for yesterday’s diseases.
www.statnews.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
markharris.bsky.social
There are good journalists out there who grasp that we are living in an emergency moment, at the mercy of serial liars, bigots, and government thugs. They are steady. They are clear-eyed. They understand what is needed. And they have been right exponentially more often than the "calm down" crew.
January 11, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
markharris.bsky.social
There is no attitude for which legacy journalists are more often rewarded by their bosses than "Everybody needs to calm down." It is a preening announcement that you are the adult in the room, immune from emotion or overreaction or "hysteria." And it is the worst imaginable priority for this era. >
January 11, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
kathrynas.bsky.social
The @uwofa1 - University of Western Ontario Faculty Association - is quickly becoming a leader in post-secondary education messaging about the equity implications and importance of masking as an integral layer of C19 and flu mitigation.

Let’s show them some love, folks!
❤️🙏
Black background with white text and an elephant wearing a mask towards the upper left-hand corner: “Spotlight: Masking as an Equity Practice Let's talk about the Elephant in the Room...high-quality masks are a tiny tool with big equity energy this respiratory illness season. Coughing, sneezing, fever, chills, and aches... Ontario's wastewater confirms that it's rough out there! Take it from the Middlesex-London Health Unit (Nov. 25 2025): "Staying home when feeling unwell and encouraging others to do the same helps us protect each other from viral illnesses. Frequent handwashing, covering coughs, socializing in well-ventilated spaces and wearing well-fitted face masks all contribute to reducing the risk of infection." Well-fitting respirators (N95s, KN95s, or equivalent) significantly reduce the spread of illness. That matters not just for individual health, but for equity..” Text continues: “Not everyone can afford to get sick. Missed pay, caregiving responsibilities, disability, chronic illness, or precarious work mean that "just catching a bug" can have very real consequences. Masking helps keep shared spaces safer for everyone - especially those most impacted when illness spreads. When we choose high-quality masks in crowded indoor spaces, we reduce barriers to participation and help make meetings, classrooms, workplaces, and public spaces more accessible. Not only are they effective at helping to prevent illness, but wearing a mask is also a visual indication of a commitment to equity. Practical, protective, and prosocial. Keeping our campus safe during respiratory illness season also depends on having enough CUPE workers and resources to maintain clean, well-supplied, and healthy spaces. Access to soap, paper towels, clean washrooms, masks, sanitizer, and properly maintained buildings is essential to preventing the spread of illness.”
January 11, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
picardonhealth.bsky.social
More than 20 years ago, MPPs across all parties pledged to make Ontario completely accessible to people with disabilities by 2025. With that date past, advocates say the process has been a failure, by @jeffreybgray.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com
Ontario’s promise to people with disabilities left unfulfilled after more than 20 years
Sweeping 2005 legislation, supposed to make the province accessible by 2025, is being called a failure
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
drgorfinkel.bsky.social
6 FIXES to⬇️ Healthcare Wait Times

1/ ⬆️Chronic care & rehab beds
2/⬆️Public O.R. hours
3/ Vaccine registry
4/ Reward cradle-to-grave family practice
5/ Give patients access to their health records
6/ Create single-entry lines for specialists

www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Iris Gorfinkel: Reducing Ontario health care waits: Six solutions avoiding privatization pitfalls
Canada has long been among the worst performers on specialist wait times in high income countries. Wait times aren’t a matter of shortage, they’re a policy choice.
www.thestar.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Reposted by Rachel Adelson
angierasmussen.bsky.social
The MMR is unaffected by RFK Jr gutting the immunization schedule to match Denmark's. Yet we're already breaking measles records in 2026. Why?

Loss of public trust, capacity, & access. How?

Lies about vaccines by RFKJr et al

From me in @natmed.nature.com:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
January 10, 2026 at 12:31 AM