9 Comments
User's avatar
John Stiller's avatar

Great piece by Dr. Faust. I well remember his past “sparring” with Dr. Bhattacharya and his takedown of Bari Weiss’s claims. His fact-checking is invaluable, especially when misinformation—like the false claim that schools were closed for two years—gets repeated even by those who should know better. The integrity of public health policy depends on getting the facts right before debating their implications. With the NIH now in the hands of a Trump-aligned administration, the fight for scientific integrity is more critical than ever.

Expand full comment
Ellen's avatar

Today is Stand Up For Science 🧪📗 📌

MA State House🧪24 Beacon St. Boston

12-4 pm Today

Nationwide Walk Out for Science at 12 noon Today

Signs 🪧 For Science 🧫 💡🎞️🧲🔭🔬🩺🩹💉🧬🧪🧫🦠💊🩻🔬🔭💡📞🔎📖

#standupforscience

IG standupforscience2025

www.standupforscience2025.org

Find your Science event to support 💌

Expand full comment
Andrea's avatar

Thank you Dr. Faust

Expand full comment
Molly Downhour's avatar

Both the Trump & Biden administration missed the opportunity to improve ventilation in schools, a “natural” step that should be ok now with RFK. The White House quickly improved theirs with the pandemic and our kids deserve the same.

Expand full comment
Beth Reboussin's avatar

I received the email from NIH. They are not eliminating the first stage of review. The majority of grants (77%) are reviewed by study sections under CSR. The remainder (often K awards or responses to RFAs) are reviewed by special emphasis panels or institute specific study sections. They are pulling these 23% institute specific under CSR where the majority are managed. I hope you can correct your story or it will cause panic.

Expand full comment
Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Yes Beth, see above. I’ve noted that I got this wrong. Sorry about that. I misunderstood and should have held this story until I had a better understanding.

Expand full comment
Beth Reboussin's avatar

Thank you! I enjoy your newsletter.

Expand full comment
Yes I care.'s avatar

Jay means about as well as Trump and Vance do.

https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-critical-thinking-pseudoscience/bhattacharya-decide-fate-medical-research

Bhattacharya is to the NIH what Patel is to the FBI, Tulsi Gabbard is to National Intelligence, and Vance is to Ukraine aid against Russian aggression.

Expand full comment
Yes I care.'s avatar

Regarding schools: unlike other nations, the US did not commit to funding clean air in schools that would have enabled safe school opening. AS it was, many children lost a parent or grandparent when they brought COVID home from school.

Expand full comment