Jim Alwine
@jimalwine.bsky.social
Virologist, Retired UPenn Professor, avid defender of facts, scientific research, vaccines and public health. Bicyclist, hiker, grandfather, writer, owned by two dachshunds and bass player for the Herpetic Legion.
Eugenics is the discredited beliefs and practices that claim to improve the genetic quality of a specific group by eliminating the propagation of the “out-groups.” It’s evil but it’s coming back. In the comments is an OpEd that @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social and I wrote.
MAGA eugenics should alarm us all. www.commondreams.org/opinion/maga...
MAGA Eugenics Should Alarm Us All | Common Dreams
The end result of GOP cuts to the domestic social safety net and to foreign aid will be the cleansing of people defined by the Trump regime as being useless, needy, and inferior.
commondreams.org
You know we all want someone to blame for bad situations. We want to be able to sue and publicly disgrace those we blame. We can’t live with the idea that shit happens, that a natural event, a flood, hurricane, earthquake, blizzard, or pandemic can simply wipe us out at any moment - we can’t deal
If you haven’t noticed, the pathogens (viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi that make us sick) are winning…measles is out of control, Cyclospora is out of control, other vaccine preventable diseases are rising, and now our old friend SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) is making its predictable summer
I’ve had this t-shirt for 50+ years and it’s as relavent as ever.
This piece by @drjudystone.bsky.social is an *exceptional* look at the root causes of Cyclospora outbreaks, including a discussion of how migrant workers are treated and the consequences of that behavior.
It’s The Water, Not Produce, Likely Driving Cyclospora Outbreaks
Contaminated irrigation or processing water is more likely the source of the Cyclospora outbreak. There are many systemic failures, outlined here.
forbes.com
While away on vacation a bird built a nest in the phage in the front entry way. There are three eggs. Remember I am a virologist.
Tucson friends this is a picture from the Jean Talon market in little Italy in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
This is Jack, our black and Tan dachshund, now he is blank, tan and white as he is 13 yo. He is, in his mind, the largest dog ever. He did once charge and chase a coyote out of the yard with terrifying barking. And he has a lesson: sometimes forget the coyotes and relax in a soft fuzzy place.
My Op-Ed on the OMB in the Portland Press Herald - Gift link: 🎁 www.pressherald.com?p=7678248&uu... Pls call your Congress reps and submit a comment to the Federal Register opposing this dangerous rule. @defendpublichealth.bsky.social makes it easy with their guide actionnetwork.org/letters/oppo...
Proposed federal rule threatens far more than scientific research | Opinion
A troubling new framework for grant applications would put invaluable federal grants of all kinds at risk.
pressherald.com
We are a large group of scientists, researchers, clinicians, and health professionals-we are experts. This administration's political appointees do NOT have the expertise or understanding of complex science needed to assess the wide variety of research/contracts the govt funds. Period.
In your home state many services are funded by federal grants. Grant funding is about to be highly politicized by the Office of Management and Budget (ruling OMB-2026-0034). We will all be adversely affected. Use the link to learn more and protest to Congress. actionnetwork.org/letters/oppo...
Oppose OMB Proposal to Put ALL Federal Government Funding Decisions in the Hands of Political Appointees
On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), OMB-2026-0034, Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance. The scope of this proposed regulation is...
actionnetwork.org
If Senator Cassidy wants to have a less than infamous legacy he should speak out against RFKJr’s lies, encourage impeachment proceedings against him and legislate against him. But no…he is spineless.
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD@elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · last mo.On his way out of the Senate, Bill Cassidy is trying to save his legacy via a convoluted and nonsensical explanation of his vote to confirm RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary. In reality, the explanation is that he traded the health of Americans for an attempt to cling to personal power. Spineless coward.
Alert: Oppose OMB: Write Federal register and Congress www.regulations.gov/document/OMB... actionnetwork.org/letters/oppo...
Oppose OMB Proposal to Put ALL Federal Government Funding Decisions in the Hands of Political Appointees
On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), OMB-2026-0034, Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance. The scope of this proposed regulation is...
actionnetwork.org
Russell Vought is an evil man. This plan is nothing short of a personal take-over of federal grant making. It will affect ALL of us. Political commissars will now be in charge of all agencies, reporting to him. But we are not powerless. See what you can do below. 1/ www.thenation.com/article/poli...
Russell Vought’s Latest Plan to Gut the Government Should Terrify You
A proposed new rule changing the way the federal government hands out money could be absolutely devastating for every single person in this country.
thenation.com
I learned a word from RFK Jr.’s podcast that was new to me, and that word is “polyanecdotal”, which is like putting an evening gown on gym gossip. RFK Jr. does not, of course, make a distinction between rigorous scientific data and some guy saying words.
RFK Jr.'s podcast is an anecdote factory with no scientific relevance | Defend Public Health
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD, shares her thoughts on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s science-deficient podcast.
defendpublichealth.org
The incredible @gregggonsalves.bsky.social has a new piece out on Sith Lord Russell Vought wanting to have final say over Federal funding. Thar be dragons. Have a read and then please help us slay them.
Russell Vought’s Latest Plan to Gut the Government Should Terrify You
A proposed new rule changing the way the federal government hands out money could be absolutely devastating for every single person in this country.
thenation.com
New: How The OMB Rule Will Hurt You And Your Town via @forbes www.forbes.com/sites/judyst... #OMB #FederalGrants #Medicaid #Rural #DEI #disparities #race #DrugAbuse #MentalHealth @DefendPublicHealh
How The OMB Rule Will Hurt You And Your Town
The OMB proposal threatens scientific research and ALL federal funding for states, cities, and nonprofits. It politicizes ALL funding. Call your reps and write an objection.
forbes.com
It’s easy to send a letter to you congresspersons opposing the OMB power grab that will make all federal grant funding political. This will affect everything from research to road building to social programs to meals on wheels. You will lose big time if this is enacted.
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD@elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · last mo.An effort to downplay the seriousness of the OMB rule to hand Russell Vought control over every federal grant is underway. Every person in the U.S. stands to be harmed by this, but many have no idea. Please write to your reps. It will take 5 minutes. You can hit this link and get ‘er done.
“Wicked snakes inside a place you thought was dignified” -A lyric from “Harmony Hall" by Vampire Weekend. Hearing it aways makes me think of the White House.
It is very important that congress stops the Office of Management and Budgets power grab ruling to have political appointees decide on federal grant awards. www.defendpublichealth.org/press-releas...
Defend Public Health Launches Multi-Pronged Campaign Against OMB Grant Rules | Defend Public Health
Defend Public Health has launched an all-out, multipronged campaign to block proposed new Office of Management and Budget rules for federal grants, which threaten to politicize all federal funding, fr...
defendpublichealth.org
If you read this article and feel moved to write your Congresspersons, head to the link below.
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD@elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 2mo agoNeed a road fixed or a bridge built in your town? How about funding for a rural hospital? Then you need to know that one man, Russell Vought, is about to have complete control over who gets federal funding and who doesn’t. To learn more and to write your elected representatives, hit this link.
I'm up early. First things, first. Write to your members of Congress. Russell Vought is out of control. He is seeking to take over the entire federal apparatus of grant-making. He is a dictator in waiting. He who controls the purse controls it all. actionnetwork.org/letters/oppo...
Oppose OMB Proposal to Put ALL Federal Government Funding Decisions in the Hands of Political Appointees
On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), OMB-2026-0034, Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance. The scope of this proposed regulation is...
actionnetwork.org
I posted this over a month ago and now there is the expected massive outbreak of flu at a Texas Military base. Way to go Hagseth.
Jim Alwine@jimalwine.bsky.social · 4mo agoAn emerging contageous virus, like a flu virus, will easily spread in the confines of a military base or a military operation…unless the troops are vaccinated. So the brilliant leaders of HHS and DOD decide to stop protecting the troops by no longer requiring flu vaccination. In 1918, before
This week's #Whopper is about comments made by RFK jr to the Tribal Self-Governance Conference about cutting out ultra processed foods as a "cure" for high rates of diabetes. Nonsense upon nonsense www.defendpublichealth.org/opinion/whop...
Whopper of the Week: RFK Jr.’s Diet Cure for Diabetes Is Too Simplistic | Defend Public Health
RFK Jr. told Native American tribal leaders that Type 2 diabetes is curable through diet. His message of personal responsibility is overly simplistic and disregards the social determinants of health a...
defendpublichealth.org
Superficial and needs follow-up post, but @Politico at least mentions that OMB plans to oversee/kill ALL grants. Doesn't explain this will affect things like healthcare, Meals on Wheels, road repair, Head Start, Small Business Support and anything with a whiff of DEI www.politico.com/live-updates...
OMB nominee touts plan to give Trump appointees power to kill grants
The administration is expected to finalize the proposed changes as soon as this summer.
politico.com
It's Thursday and Russell Vought is still trying to take over all federal grant making, put it under his thumb and political control. It's a mad power grab. We need to stop it. Click on this and write a letter to your members of Congress. And share, share, share. actionnetwork.org/letters/oppo...
Oppose OMB Proposal to Put ALL Federal Government Funding Decisions in the Hands of Political Appointees
On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), OMB-2026-0034, Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance. The scope of this proposed regulation is...
actionnetwork.org
@nejm.org addresses the OMB rule and its devastation to the US scientific enterprise. Go comment on the rule! www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
The OMB and the Politicization of Science | NEJM
The Editors highlight three aspects of OMB’s recently proposed rule changes as particularly striking: that decisions on research funding would be made by political appointees, that funding could be...
nejm.org
One thing I miss living in Tucson is the spring appearance of the bleeding hearts. But cactus flowers are pretty special.
