Dr. Faust, I deeply appreciate the time and effort you put into these updates. Your ability to synthesize and document these rapidly unfolding developments is invaluable.
That said, while Dr. Parker’s appointment initially seems like a rare bright spot, I can’t shake my concern over that one snag. His apparent approval of RFK Jr.’s confirmation—however subtle—raises serious questions. It reminds me of Schopenhauer’s Law of Entropy: If you put a spoonful of wine in a barrel full of sewage, you get sewage. If you put a spoonful of sewage in a barrel full of wine, you get sewage.
Given the stakes, even a small signal of alignment with RFK Jr.’s brand of anti-science rhetoric is troubling. The question is: was it a calculated move to stay in the room and do the work, or a genuine indicator of where he now stands? Either way, it’s something to watch closely.
It’s frustrating that in this era, we have to spend so much energy deciphering whether an expert is genuinely committed to evidence-based policy or just strategically playing along to survive in a dysfunctional system. Either way, the consequences for public health remain immense.
Very well stated. Love Schopenhauer's quote! I cannot believe that Trump would put ANYONE in the "lime light" of CDC head that he wasn't sure would bow down. Last time Trump wouldn't have bothered with CDC because he had no idea there was vulnerability to a potential pandemic. So, Fauci, as a trusted scientist in dire times was able to commandeer the public support and press. This time they are "smarter" and know how important it is to have a guy who will carry the company banner in this position. We will see very quickly.
“Move fast and break a lot of things” apparently worked well in Silicon Valley. It does not seem to translate well to government work, or, to the scientific realm where data rule.
Thank you! Always appreciate your insight. I saw in a NYT article that cows in Nevada had the D1.1 bird flu which I understand to be the more dangerous version that prior to now was not in cows. Would be interested in getting your thoughts on this and its implications.
I commented to colleagues yesterday... scary development.
The Canadian teenager who succumb to the same strain fortunately recovered such that she was discharged from the hospital (I suspect she remains challenged, albeit recovering at home) the elderly man from Louisiana sadly did not. My concern is the potential for this strain of H3N1 being introduced to neighbouring pigs...known 'melting pot' for gene swapping for "flu viruses"
The briefly published chart on bird flu that was taken down documented spread from cat to human--I think. As per KFF this morning, they want to "go after anything Covid" at HHS. It is overwhelming.
Every day, I have students coming to the health office sick with the flu and covid-19 being sent home. It will forever boggle my mind as to WHY parents send their children to school when they are sick. Just yesterday, had a student come to the health office and said he was positive for covid-19. He tested that morning before coming to school. Ugh…!
Are you seeing a lot of drug resistant pneumonia in ER ? My elderly aunt is having a very hard time clearing her pneumonia. They’ve tried several antibiotics. Maybe it’s because she’s immune compromised being quite elderly, just curious if you’ve seen a lot of pneumonia. She doesn’t seem to have flu or covid. What’s the pneumonia stats for bacterial and viral and antibiotic resistance lately anyone know ?
This weird Elon/Trump situation and now Vought project 2025 guy entering the picture ~ is causing so much stress to everyone. It’s like theater of the absurd in actuality reality. Ugh. 😑 Our lives are being impacted by this administration it feels like a lost ship at sea or hurricane in which the wind speed keeps increasing past 100 mph etc
Let’s hope for more protests 🪧 and maybe Republican Senators to start caring about this bizarre political situation ? At least the media seems to be covering it …
The human form uses the avian form to exact some form of pleasure, the analysis beyond my scope of practice.
The avian 'cares not' (anthropomorphic assumption) & frankly is in control of the end goal, being fed. The avian predictor's action(s) play out in nature daily.
The human predictor depicted, his actions are not a force of nature & are driven by personal & self serving motivation that harm society.
The avian predictor's actions do not harm society yet offer a strange reward to the human predictor shown.
The raptor is ultimately in control, RFK Jr mistakingly believes he's in control.
He is simply another 'bully' trying to earn the approval of the 'ring leader's who presently is sadly the ultimate 'preditor'.
I remain hopeful, the true character of my neighbours to my south will regain control & once again demonstrate what neighbours can do for one another & our global community. 🙏🇨🇦 JJF
I have heard and read so much about record numbers of flu cases this year while Covid is "lower" than in past winters and lower even than in the summer spikes. I can't help but believe that the people with "flu symptoms" are not being tested for Covid very much, if at all and are misreported as having flu. I just think it's much more of the ongoing narrative that "it's (covid) all over"; things are "mostly back to normal". (Maybe for those 15 to 50 years old, but certainly not us older folks - even those who get every vaccine they can and are very cautious).
The flu numbers are *lab confirmed flu tests*. And most places test for these simultaneously. We sure do. It’s been a slow slog to get to this point, but it’s where we are. The wastewater on Covid confirms that we’ve have more Covid in the last month (a little spike) but nothing like before. What I am describing is a real phenomenon.
I am sure you know your numbers are compiled properly but I am far less convinced that the totals are. And wastewater is not always a reliably correlated in real time measurement of actual covid cases.
I, too, am concerned about the thumbs up for RFK, Jr. It just doesn't square with his resume. He does have 36 years of service in the military and I'm sure that Trump is attracted to that. While gain of function research can have benefits, I wouldn't trust this administration to do it right. But maybe this guy was hired for that purpose. My mind could go to dark places here...
Btw, there are now 7 confirmed cases of (Sudan species) Ebola in Uganda. Also, four days ago they launched a vaccine trial specific to this species, thanks to Uganda Ministry of Health, WHO, and other partners.
I'm also concerned about the growing number of TB cases in Kansas as well as the measles outbreaks in Texas. Our public health systems are our first line of defense against deadly diseases and I fear that they are under attack by this administration.
I cannot believe that Trump would put ANYONE in the "lime light" as CDC head that he wasn't sure would bow down. Last time Trump wouldn't have bothered with CDC because he had no idea there was vulnerability to a potential pandemic. So, Fauci, as a trusted scientist in dire times was able to commandeer the public support and press. This time Trumpers are "smarter" and know how important it is to have a guy who will carry the company banner in this position. Is Parker just pulling a "Hegseth" till he gets in and then follow Trump's line, or is he just trying to win Trump's confidence so he can get in and do good? It's likely this go-around term that Trump would render Parker impotent if he speaks out. On the good news end...very glad to see Doctors for America organize and stand up. This is what I'm suggesting to all professionals in fed gov to do...contact unions, professional orgs and associations for help, support, and to be their microphones. Good for them! Where's AMA???
Thank you so much, Jeremy, for continuing to keep us informed in a way that is always fair and fact-based. I admire tremendously how much work you put into this! And it can’t be easy, given that much of what is happening in Washington is neither fair nor fact-based. Please keep up your fabulous substack column!!
I just read in NYT this morning this quote from Hungary’s Viktor Orban, “New winds are blowing in international politics. We call it the Trump-tornado.”
Dr. Faust, I deeply appreciate the time and effort you put into these updates. Your ability to synthesize and document these rapidly unfolding developments is invaluable.
That said, while Dr. Parker’s appointment initially seems like a rare bright spot, I can’t shake my concern over that one snag. His apparent approval of RFK Jr.’s confirmation—however subtle—raises serious questions. It reminds me of Schopenhauer’s Law of Entropy: If you put a spoonful of wine in a barrel full of sewage, you get sewage. If you put a spoonful of sewage in a barrel full of wine, you get sewage.
Given the stakes, even a small signal of alignment with RFK Jr.’s brand of anti-science rhetoric is troubling. The question is: was it a calculated move to stay in the room and do the work, or a genuine indicator of where he now stands? Either way, it’s something to watch closely.
It’s frustrating that in this era, we have to spend so much energy deciphering whether an expert is genuinely committed to evidence-based policy or just strategically playing along to survive in a dysfunctional system. Either way, the consequences for public health remain immense.
Very well stated. Love Schopenhauer's quote! I cannot believe that Trump would put ANYONE in the "lime light" of CDC head that he wasn't sure would bow down. Last time Trump wouldn't have bothered with CDC because he had no idea there was vulnerability to a potential pandemic. So, Fauci, as a trusted scientist in dire times was able to commandeer the public support and press. This time they are "smarter" and know how important it is to have a guy who will carry the company banner in this position. We will see very quickly.
“Move fast and break a lot of things” apparently worked well in Silicon Valley. It does not seem to translate well to government work, or, to the scientific realm where data rule.
Sigh. Yeah
Thank you! Always appreciate your insight. I saw in a NYT article that cows in Nevada had the D1.1 bird flu which I understand to be the more dangerous version that prior to now was not in cows. Would be interested in getting your thoughts on this and its implications.
I commented to colleagues yesterday... scary development.
The Canadian teenager who succumb to the same strain fortunately recovered such that she was discharged from the hospital (I suspect she remains challenged, albeit recovering at home) the elderly man from Louisiana sadly did not. My concern is the potential for this strain of H3N1 being introduced to neighbouring pigs...known 'melting pot' for gene swapping for "flu viruses"
The briefly published chart on bird flu that was taken down documented spread from cat to human--I think. As per KFF this morning, they want to "go after anything Covid" at HHS. It is overwhelming.
Thank you again for all you do.
I saw the cat to human and vice versa perhaps ~ info circulating in media~ last night too ~ this is very worrisome
Every day, I have students coming to the health office sick with the flu and covid-19 being sent home. It will forever boggle my mind as to WHY parents send their children to school when they are sick. Just yesterday, had a student come to the health office and said he was positive for covid-19. He tested that morning before coming to school. Ugh…!
Are you seeing a lot of drug resistant pneumonia in ER ? My elderly aunt is having a very hard time clearing her pneumonia. They’ve tried several antibiotics. Maybe it’s because she’s immune compromised being quite elderly, just curious if you’ve seen a lot of pneumonia. She doesn’t seem to have flu or covid. What’s the pneumonia stats for bacterial and viral and antibiotic resistance lately anyone know ?
This weird Elon/Trump situation and now Vought project 2025 guy entering the picture ~ is causing so much stress to everyone. It’s like theater of the absurd in actuality reality. Ugh. 😑 Our lives are being impacted by this administration it feels like a lost ship at sea or hurricane in which the wind speed keeps increasing past 100 mph etc
Let’s hope for more protests 🪧 and maybe Republican Senators to start caring about this bizarre political situation ? At least the media seems to be covering it …
Apropo picture...two of a kind, etc
Each predictor viewing the other.
The human form uses the avian form to exact some form of pleasure, the analysis beyond my scope of practice.
The avian 'cares not' (anthropomorphic assumption) & frankly is in control of the end goal, being fed. The avian predictor's action(s) play out in nature daily.
The human predictor depicted, his actions are not a force of nature & are driven by personal & self serving motivation that harm society.
The avian predictor's actions do not harm society yet offer a strange reward to the human predictor shown.
The raptor is ultimately in control, RFK Jr mistakingly believes he's in control.
He is simply another 'bully' trying to earn the approval of the 'ring leader's who presently is sadly the ultimate 'preditor'.
I remain hopeful, the true character of my neighbours to my south will regain control & once again demonstrate what neighbours can do for one another & our global community. 🙏🇨🇦 JJF
PS I am grateful to your continued updates in this crazy time. I don't know how you do it with all your professional obligations as well.
I have heard and read so much about record numbers of flu cases this year while Covid is "lower" than in past winters and lower even than in the summer spikes. I can't help but believe that the people with "flu symptoms" are not being tested for Covid very much, if at all and are misreported as having flu. I just think it's much more of the ongoing narrative that "it's (covid) all over"; things are "mostly back to normal". (Maybe for those 15 to 50 years old, but certainly not us older folks - even those who get every vaccine they can and are very cautious).
The flu numbers are *lab confirmed flu tests*. And most places test for these simultaneously. We sure do. It’s been a slow slog to get to this point, but it’s where we are. The wastewater on Covid confirms that we’ve have more Covid in the last month (a little spike) but nothing like before. What I am describing is a real phenomenon.
I am sure you know your numbers are compiled properly but I am far less convinced that the totals are. And wastewater is not always a reliably correlated in real time measurement of actual covid cases.
I, too, am concerned about the thumbs up for RFK, Jr. It just doesn't square with his resume. He does have 36 years of service in the military and I'm sure that Trump is attracted to that. While gain of function research can have benefits, I wouldn't trust this administration to do it right. But maybe this guy was hired for that purpose. My mind could go to dark places here...
Btw, there are now 7 confirmed cases of (Sudan species) Ebola in Uganda. Also, four days ago they launched a vaccine trial specific to this species, thanks to Uganda Ministry of Health, WHO, and other partners.
I'm also concerned about the growing number of TB cases in Kansas as well as the measles outbreaks in Texas. Our public health systems are our first line of defense against deadly diseases and I fear that they are under attack by this administration.
I cannot believe that Trump would put ANYONE in the "lime light" as CDC head that he wasn't sure would bow down. Last time Trump wouldn't have bothered with CDC because he had no idea there was vulnerability to a potential pandemic. So, Fauci, as a trusted scientist in dire times was able to commandeer the public support and press. This time Trumpers are "smarter" and know how important it is to have a guy who will carry the company banner in this position. Is Parker just pulling a "Hegseth" till he gets in and then follow Trump's line, or is he just trying to win Trump's confidence so he can get in and do good? It's likely this go-around term that Trump would render Parker impotent if he speaks out. On the good news end...very glad to see Doctors for America organize and stand up. This is what I'm suggesting to all professionals in fed gov to do...contact unions, professional orgs and associations for help, support, and to be their microphones. Good for them! Where's AMA???
Thank you so much, Jeremy, for continuing to keep us informed in a way that is always fair and fact-based. I admire tremendously how much work you put into this! And it can’t be easy, given that much of what is happening in Washington is neither fair nor fact-based. Please keep up your fabulous substack column!!
I just read in NYT this morning this quote from Hungary’s Viktor Orban, “New winds are blowing in international politics. We call it the Trump-tornado.”