"A lot of these bureaucratic silos we have are actually killing people."
Proud to share our work at @rootsempowers.bsky.social in today's @nytimes.com We must rethink how we fund & deliver care for the most marginalized if we want to see true generational change.
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/h...
Headline in Mission Local: TB tests reveal 204 latent cases at Riordan High in S.F. Photo of school
🚨 3 active + 3 suspected & now 200+ latent TB cases at Riordan high and counting. Concerning timeline starting in September! Now up to 6 young people facing serious illness and 200+ families grappling with treatment risks and decisions. Where was the clinical urgency? Where's the accountability? 🚩
Tuberculosis outbreak at San Francisco high school halts in-person classes By Tara Campbell Friday, January 30, 2026 9:42AM FR.TOM SEAGRAVE"6O MAIN ENTRANCE TUBERCULOSIS OUTBREAK AT RIORDAN HIGH IN-PERSON CLASSES CANCELED THROUGH NEXT WEEK A third confirmed case of TB is forcing San Francisco's Archbishop Riordan High School to halt in-person classes next week.
🚨Unusual and alarming! 3 active & 50 latent TB cases at Riordan high, and counting. When a well-resourced school sees this level of spread, it’s a siren for our public health infrastructure everywhere. Hoping for speedy containment & recovery. 🙏🏾
The US is facing a critical deadline on the measles-free status we've held for over 25 years. Beyond the immediate risk, we have to talk about long-term effects like immune amnesia.
📺 Watch the full People’s Health Briefing here: www.youtube.com/live/NnUfNce...
Hey East Bay: confirmed measles exposure at several high-traffic spots in Walnut Creek, Dec 17 - 24. Fortunately, Contra Costs County has high vax rates, making a large outbreak unlikely. But those who are unprotected (including babies) are still at risk. Stay safe & informed! 🙏🏾
Exactly. Calling them essential while treating them as expendable. The 'viral underclass' was often forced to the frontlines, facing the greatest risk of exposure on top of other other factors putting them at risk. Heavy and worthwhile read.
"Sirens, Silence, Standby." Whew. Visceral reminder of the constant high-decibel alarm heard in NY, letting us all know our public health infrastructure was crushing under the weight of the pandemic. The sirens have gone silent, facilitating leadership-driven denial while our crises continue.
ICYMI, current contagious illness status update, brief review of 3 long covid articles, pertussis warning signs, worrisome Medicaid changes, and part 3 of 3 with Dr. Khan on Long covid.
"Sitting with it" is the perfect phrase. Much to unpack. Let's definitely compare notes :)
The Viral Underclass by Steven W. Thrasher
Been looking at this on my shelf for a couple years now saying "it's too soon." Finally ready to dive in, continuing to sharpen the analysis for a fight that has become even more uphill as we try to protect a safety net that was already inadequate. Respect to @thrasherxy for the work. ✊🏾
ICYMI, last week's briefing: Remembering Coach Beam and the critical importance of solid coaches & mentors (and the potential harm of untrained ones). We also review data which has resumed following the end of the shutdown and Canada's loss of measles-free status.
11/18/25- In today’s briefing we review, Remembering Coach John Beam; Canada Loses Measles-Free Status; Contagious Illnesses Update
Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LosT...
#RootsEmpowers #PHB #PublicHealth #COVID19 #CDC #SARSCoV2 #Wastewater #H3N2 #Influenza #Measles #RSV #Flu #H1N1 #FluVaccine
FDA delays left recalled baby formula on store shelves, food safety experts say HEALTHBEAT article Image of ByHeart formula
Unacceptable! FDA delays in ByHeart formula recall allowed contaminated product to stay on shelves, prioritizing business confidentiality and putting babies at risk. Bureaucracy and business interests should never supersede infant safety! More here 👇🏾 www.instagram.com/p/DRaNu0OEmu...
1st human known to be infected with H5N5C strain of bird flu dies- ABC article, photo of poultry
The 1st confirmed human case of H5N5 has lead to death. This is especially alarming given the gutting and destruction of US public health infrastructure. More on my IG (where I'm migrating) 👇🏾 www.instagram.com/p/DRYPZRtEm3...
#PAHO 's regional verification commission for #measles elimination meets this week. The likely outcome: Canada will lose its measles-free status, due to its large & long-running outbreak. If so, the Americas region will also lose elimination status. www.statnews.com/2025/11/03/m...
The cruelty is the point.
This is in no way meant to diminish heroic efforts all over the US to keep people fed. But let's be clear, this is a crisis on top of multiple crises. It's painful to watch us repeat mistakes of the past 5 years while simultaneously dismantling all the systems that were built.
The SNAP crisis perfectly demonstrates the Panic-Neglect Cycle we do so well. Everywhere folks scrambling to plug the hole with short-term, unsustainable funds, creating budget instability and burnout across the entire safety net. We need a structural commitment to readiness.
Thank you 😊
"There are too many cliffs that our young people are prone to falling off...They leave the school setting, they graduate...At 18, they fall off with certain benefits, or at 21 or 24. Because of the way our resources and systems are set up, young people fall through the gaps.” 👇🏾
I don't know why Tylenol got caught in political crosshairs, but this administration has chosen to ignore medical facts and implicate an important medication based on unwarranted suspicion.
Amidst this manufactured controversy, we risk overlooking an actual deadly crisis: acetaminophen overdose. 👇🏾
Amazing! I agree, mitigation definitely works and is worth it. Doing well, and glad to be connected here. 😊
This week's briefing: COVlD/respiratory surveillance data & telehealth access disrupted due to government shutdown; measles outbreak rages on as the Americas set to lose elimination status; CDC recommendations get further from science & reason. Watch 👇🏾
This week's public health update reviews current covid & measles status, a recent measles-related death, and updates from states stepping up to mitigate the harm to health being caused at the federal level. Grateful for those bright spots! 🙏🏾
Don't get me wrong, I frequently disagreed with things I heard in prior ACIP meetings, but at least we were all working with data and facts. Watching unqualified people make decisions for the country based on feelings, hunches, vibes & ideology is an excruciating waste of time.
DrDemetre @dr_demetre FINAL THOUGHT: When scientific process is not followed, the science that make the foundation for decisions is suspect and the decisions are therefore not valid. The ACIP S no longer scientific committee. It is an ideology machine. Istand by my justification for my resignation. Sending strength to the scientists being held hostage at CDC.
"The ACIP is no longer a scientific committee. It is an ideology machine."
I can't even bring myself to watch their meetings. Instead, I'm cheering for states and medical associations working to mitigate the damage and fill gaps. But the damage being done is immeasurable.
The US is willingly relinquishing its role as a global leader in science & innovation. Others will step in.
“Our government is building a resilient, forward-looking economy that positions Canada as a global leader in scientific research and innovation...”
Government of Canada announces major milestone In the Canadian piomanufacturing sector From:Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada News release Moderna produces its first Canadian MRNA vaccines in its new state-of- the-art Quebec facility September 19,2025 - Laval, Quebec
Smart move! 1st made-in-Canada mRNA vaccines.
"By supporting the production of vaccines here at home, we are supporting our economy while strengthening Canada’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to future public health emergencies." -Canadian Minister of Health
