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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello chat about the recent Salmonella typhimurim outbreak, the ousting of another CBER director, confirmation of a new CDC director and results of a recent pool about vaccine safety and trust before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, a new anti-influenza antibody that can be combined with neuraminidase inhibitors, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, the effectiveness of Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine, where to find PEMGARDA, safety of the JN.1 updated vaccine, long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, the prevalence of cardiac and pulmonary abnormalities found via medical imaging following COVID-19 and contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedical research. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Commercially Distributed Raw Milk (CDC: MMWR) Top F.D.A. Official Resigns UnderPressure (NY Times) In a first, the Senate confirms a new CDC director (NPR) KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: Vaccine Safety and Trust (KFF) Wastewater for measles (WasterWater Scan) Measles cases and outbreaks (CDC Rubeola) Weekly measles and rubella monitoring (Government of Canada) Measles vaccine recommendations from NYP (jpg) Measles (WHO) Get the FACTS about measles (NY State Department of Health) Measles (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Measles vaccine (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Presumptive evidence of measles immunity (CDC) Contraindications and precautions to measles vaccination (CDC) Measles (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Adverse events associated with childhood vaccines: evidence bearing on causality (NLM) Measles Vaccination: Know the Facts(ISDA: Infectious Diseases Society of America) Deaths following vaccination: what does the evidence show (Vaccine) Influenza: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Respiratory virus activity levels (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Weekly surveillance report: clift notes (CDC FluView) Effects of baloxavir marboxil plus neuraminidase inhibitor versus neuraminidase inhibitor in high-risk patients hospitalized with severe influenza: a post hoc analysis of the Flagstone trial (OFID) FDA-CDC-DOD: 2025-2046 influenza vaccine composition (FDA) RSV: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) ENFLONSIA: novel drug approvals 2025 (FDA) RSV-Network (CDC Respiratory Syncytial virus Infection) Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel (CDC: Respiratory Illnesses) COVID-19 national and regional trends (CDC) COVID-19 variant tracker (CDC) SARS-CoV-2 genomes galore (Nextstrain) Antigenic and Virological Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.3.2, XFG, and NB.1.8.1 (bioRxiV) Safety of JN.1-Updated mRNA COVID-19Vaccines (JAMA) Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda) EUA for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 (INVIYD) Infusion center (Prime Fusions) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Drug interaction checker (University of Liverpool) Paxlovid (Pfizer) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (ID Society) Molnupiravir safety and efficacy (JMV) Convalescent plasma recommendation for immunocompromised (ID Society) What to do when sick with a respiratory virus (CDC) Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC) Steroids,dexamethasone at the right time (OFID) Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org) Daniel Griffin's evidence based medical practices for long COVID (OFID) Long COVID hotline (Columbia : Columbia University Irving Medical Center) The answers: Long COVID Prevalence of Persistent Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Abnormalities on PET/MRI and DECT Imaging in Long COVID Patients (Journal of Nuclear Medicine) Reaching out to US house representative Letters read on TWiV 1240 Dr. Griffin's COVID treatment summary (pdf) Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your questions for Dr. Griffin to daniel@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.
The new U.S.–EU trade deal negotiated between Donald Trump and the EU's Ursula von der Leyen is surprisingly one-sided in favor of the United States. In the end Europe made major concessions, including accepting a 15% tariff on goods and agreeing to purchase $750 billion worth of U.S. energy, while the U.S. gave up virtually nothing in return. Although European leaders were unhappy with the deal, they accepted it to avoid a full-blown trade war, with critics like former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt calling it disastrous and poorly negotiated. Jimmy argues that Europe weakened its own position by severing energy ties with Russia and becoming dependent on U.S. energy and defense, effectively allowing Trump to dictate the terms. He and Americans' Comedian Kurt Metzger conclude that European leaders have sold out their own nations' interests to serve U.S. and transnational elite agendas, leaving their populations economically disadvantaged and politically powerless. Plus segments with Children's Health Defense CEO Mary Holland on the newly confirmed CDC head and the surprise departure of Dr. Vinay Prasad from the FDA, and a closing segment on rocker Dave Matthews' recent statement of support for Palestine. Also featuring Stef Zamorano!
Today's Headlines: Republican lawmakers in Texas released a redistricting plan that would add five GOP-leaning congressional seats by slicing up Democratic cities—like moving part of Austin into a district with oil-rich Odessa—just ahead of a special legislative session called by Governor Abbott. Meanwhile, the Trump administration launched a new health data-sharing program with over 60 tech firms, and separately proposed major crypto reforms, urging Congress to treat digital assets like securities while pushing for IRS and regulatory rollbacks. Brown University agreed to dismantle its DEI programs in a $50 million deal to unfreeze federal funds, while Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands ramped up pressure on Israel over Gaza, warning of consequences if annexation continues. Trump is expected to greenlight a new Gaza aid distribution plan after today's regional visits by U.S. envoys. He also extended Mexico tariff talks by 90 days, delaying steep levies on cars, metals, and fentanyl-linked goods. Lastly, the CDC reported a rise in kindergarten vaccine exemptions and the highest number of measles cases in over three decades. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Texas Republicans get a bigger House edge under a new map, meeting Trump's goals Axios: The White House is pushing to embed crypto everywhere, from taxes to retirement CNN: Trump administration reaches $50 million deal with Brown University to restore funding Reuters: Germany to respond to any unilateral Israeli moves on Palestinian territories, minister warns Middle East Eye: Sweden and the Netherlands call for EU to suspend Israel trade deal Axios: Trump to approve new Gaza aid plan after Witkoff visits Friday: White House NPR: Trump announces 90-day extension of prior trade deal with Mexico WIRED: The Great Crypto Re-Banking Has Begun NBC News: Childhood vaccine exemption rates hit a record high, CDC data shows Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Story at-a-glance The widespread promotion of vaccination is predicated upon having profound benefits and no risks. As vaccines frequently injure their recipients, sustaining this paradigm requires suppressing all evidence of vaccine harm and psychologically programming vaccine supporters to be incapable of seeing injuries all around them Because of this, Senator Ron Johnson recently held a historic Senate hearing where discarded individuals with vaccine injuries could testify on their injuries In many cases, these promotions have been directly tied to the CDC taking money from industry. Unfortunately, despite both CDC employees and members of Congress demanding investigations, the matter has been largely swept under the rug The CDC delegates vaccine recommendations to an impartial panel of (paid-off) experts who consistently support vaccination. Recently, RFK Jr. replaced them with scientists free of conflicts of interest At the first ACIP meeting, the CDC repeated its existing playbook, both making a number of truly remarkable statements defending the COVID vaccine at odds with public data, while simultaneously admitting they did not know numerous fundamental questions about the COVID vaccines that should have been figured out years ago. Fortunately, times have changed, and many immediately saw these lies for what they were
Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
Episode Summary: Today, we’re tackling an issue that affects millions of people: loneliness. In a world that’s more connected than ever through technology, many of us still feel isolated and unseen. Studies show that loneliness has become a public health crisis, impacting our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. According to a recent study, 1 in 3 adults reports feeling severely lonely. The CDC links social isolation and loneliness to depression, anxiety, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and more. Loneliness has the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. But there’s good news: loneliness isn’t the end of the story. God created us for connection, and by taking intentional steps, we can build meaningful relationships that bring hope, healing, and joy. Stay tuned as Becky Harling and I unpack practical tips and faith-based solutions to combat the epidemic of loneliness and rediscover the power of authentic connection. Quotables from the episode: According to a recent study, 1 in 3 adults reports feeling severely lonely. The CDC links social isolation and loneliness to depression, anxiety, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and more. Loneliness has the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness is feeling disconnected. You could be in a crowded room with lots of people. It doesn’t mean that you don’t have people around you, you just don’t feel connected to those people, and so you can feel isolated even in a crowd. Busyness is one of the chief problems that have contributed to our society’s deep loneliness. People are busier today than they’ve ever been. We’re always off to the next appointment, the next thing, the next activity, and as a result we don’t know our neighbors. We don’t have time for friends. We’re on this continual treadmill that has taken over our lives and it’s become detrimental to us and yet we seem to wear busyness as a badge of honor. We have lost the ability to have meaningful conversations with people. We’ve lost the curiosity element where like every single person is an amazing creature designed in the image of God. I want to be curious and know who they are. I want to know what’s important to them and why it’s important to them and those conversations really build the deeper connections. The first small step is to reach out to somebody that you know and say either let’s go to coffee, because I want to know you better. Better yet, invite them into your home or coffee. For the listeners who may feel a little afraid, my encouragement is to do it afraid. Just do it afraid, but learn to reach out to people. When you bring humility into a friendship, not only are you modeling the behavior that Jesus taught us. Paul reminds us, have this attitude in yourself, which was also in Christ Jesus. He was humble, even though he existed in the form of God, he didn’t clamor after that. Instead, he took on the form of a bond servant. When you come to a relationship with humility, it levels the playing field, and you allow the other friend to feel safe. We are never more like the enemy than when we’re criticizing somebody because the enemy is the accuser of the brethren and so to be like Jesus we’re not going to stand around and accuse people because he didn’t do that….so offer compassion. When you’re tempted to take offense, or when you already have, I like to ask myself a few questions. How is it helping me to take offense? Usually it doesn't help me, it hurts me, right? How, what do I need to take responsibility for here? You know, what's the meaning I'm making in my head? We all tell ourselves stories, right? And so when we're tempted to take offense, what happens is we sell ourselves a story. You know, like maybe this person is so rude to me or they don't honor my space or they don't value my opinions. And it's likely not any of those things, you know, first of all, people might not even really be thinking about you. And you know, we tend to think, what is she thinking? What are they thinking? Well, they're not thinking about you. They're thinking about their own problems. So, you know, offer people grace, don't get offended so easily. If you’re trying to keep up an image, some kind of persona that you’re projecting to the world, that’s a burden. And it’s going to weigh you down. Why not just be vulnerable? Be yourself. Choose who you’re going to be vulnerable with. If you have good friends, dare to be vulnerable if you want the friendship to go deeper. That’s one of the benefits of cultivating these deeper connections is the opportunity to have such a degree of vulnerability that you can pray for them, that you can ask them for prayer. I think prayer is one of the most vulnerable things that we can do. We're vulnerable before our Lord, but then when we ask for prayer, we're vulnerable before the one that we've asked for prayer from, and when they ask us for prayer. That's about the most vulnerable that you can get with someone. But it does foster that connection. We have to take a risk. If you are feeling lonely today, I want to talk directly to you. Pretend that we're just sitting across the table having coffee. I want you to know that you are never really alone because Jesus is the one who said, "I will never leave you. I will never forsake you." If you're a widow, you are never alone. Jesus is with you. If you're isolated in a new community, you are never alone. Jesus is with you. And as you cultivate your friendship with Jesus and you grow more secure in His love, it's going to give you the confidence then to let that love flow out to others. The first thing for you is to cultivate that deep friendship with Jesus. Go to him in prayer, tell him everything, you know, go to the word of God, listen to worship music, take a walk and just talk with Jesus. But cultivate that friendship first and foremost. Scripture References: Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Hebrews 10:25 “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Recommended Resources: Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World by Becky Harling How to Listen So People Will Talk by Becky Harling How to Listen So Your Kids Will Talk by Becky Harling Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Becky Harling: Website / Podcast / Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn / X For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Becky Harling has a degree in Biblical Literature and is a speaker and Bible teacher. The host of The Connected Mom podcast, Becky has a passion for helping women find hope, healing, freedom, and life transformation through Jesus Christ. She is the author of many books and Bible studies, including her recent release, Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
“Pandemics are a political choice. We will not be able to prevent every disease outbreak or epidemic but we can prevent an epidemic from becoming a pandemic,” says Dr. Joanne Liu, the former International President of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders and a professor in the School of Population and Global Health at McGill University. You are in for a lot of that sort of frank and clear-eyed analysis in this episode of Raise the Line from Dr. Liu, whose perspective is rooted in decades of experience providing medical care on the frontlines of major humanitarian and health crises across the globe, as well as wrangling with world leaders to produce more effective responses to those crises and to stop attacks on medical facilities and aid workers in conflict zones. Firsthand accounts from the bedside to the halls of power are captured in her new book Ebola, Bombs and Migrants, which focuses on the most significant issues during her tenure leading MSF from 2013-2019. The book also contains insights about the geopolitical realities that hamper this work, including lax enforcement of international humanitarian law, and a focus on national security that erodes global solidarity. Join host Lindsey Smith as she interviews this leading voice on our preparedness to meet the needs of those impacted by violent conflict, forced migration, natural disasters, disease outbreaks and other grave challenges. If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
On this episode, Liz Wheeler re-examines the abuse of power by state and federal leaders during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Tune in to learn why Dr. Dave Weldon would have made a much better CDC director than Susan Monarez! SPONSORS: ALL FAMILY PHARMACY: Because you're part of this movement, use code LIZ10 at checkout for an exclusive discount. Check out https://allfamilypharmacy.com/LIZ, code: LIZ10. BLAZE TV: If you're ready to keep winning, shop your values and make sure we don't lose the ground we've gained—go to https://BlazeTV.com/liz and subscribe today. Use promo code LIZ, and you'll save 20 bucks right now off our annual plan. BlazeTV. Unfiltered. Unafraid. On Demand. -- Like & subscribe to make sure you don't miss a single video: https://youtube.com/lizwheeler?sub_co... Get the full audio show on all major podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LhlHfo... iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-th... Subscribe to The Liz Wheeler Show newsletter: https://lizwheeler.com/email Get VIP access to The Liz Wheeler Show on Locals: https://lizwheeler.locals.com/. Stay in touch with Liz on social media: Facebook: / officiallizwheeler Twitter: / liz_wheeler Instagram: / officiallizwheeler Rumble: https://rumble.com/LizWheeler Website: https://lizwheeler.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The news to know for Wednesday, July 30, 2025! We'll tell you what we're learning about the motive in the deadliest mass shooting in New York City in 25 years and President Trump's new explanation for his falling out with Jeffrey Epstein. Also, we're talking about where Americans are on alert for a potential tsunami, the new CDC director, a massive new railroad merger, and the meteor showers lighting up the sky. Those stories and even more news to know in about 10 minutes! Join us every Mon-Fri for more daily news roundups! See sources: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/shownotes Become an INSIDER to get AD-FREE episodes here: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/insider Get The NewsWorthy MERCH here: https://thenewsworthy.dashery.com/ Sponsors: Receive 50% off your first order of Hiya's best-selling children's vitamins at hiyahealth.com/NEWSWORTHY For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% off using code NEWSWORTHY at oneskin.co To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to ad-sales@libsyn.com
The U.S. fertility rate reached an all-time low in 2024, according to the CDC. This trend has sparked fear among many on the right, from Elon Musk to Donald Trump, who believe Americans should have more babies. Sarah Varney looks at this movement encouraging families to have more children, its growing influence and ties to the anti-abortion movement. It's part of our series, The Next Frontier. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
We'll tell you the latest on the tsunami warnings in the US. The US and India launched a first-of-its-kind satellite that could change the way we see Earth. The latest GDP numbers are out, as President Donald Trump's tariff deadline looms closer. The CDC has a new leader. Plus, two iconic snacks are joining forces to make new sweet treats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Most Americans hardly knew about autism in the 1980s and '90s. Then, as if suddenly, autism became big news in the 2000s. And the rate of autism has increased since, including diagnosis among adults. But how did this happen?
Send us a textWhat happens when political figures trade truth for attention and religious institutions abandon their moral voice? This raw, unfiltered episode tackles two explosive topics that reveal the dangerous state of American discourse.Darrell begins by dissecting former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard's extraordinary claim that Barack Obama orchestrated a "coup" against Donald Trump. With surgical precision, he separates legitimate concerns about intelligence overreach from absurd conspiracy theories that undermine democracy itself. "If what happened in 2017 was a coup," Darrell observes, "then that aunt who forwards you chain emails about vaccines must be the new head of the CDC." The segment offers a masterclass in how to engage with outlandish claims without either dismissing them outright or lending them undeserved credibility.The heart of the episode, however, comes when Darrell dons his seldom-worn "Pastor McClain" hat to deliver a searing critique of American churches' silence regarding Gaza. Speaking with the fire of biblical prophets, he challenges religious leaders who find their voice for culture war skirmishes but remain mute about thousands of children dying under bombardment. "If your gospel has nothing to say about the slaughter of children," he asks, "then what exactly is good news?" This isn't just political commentary – it's an impassioned plea for moral consistency from someone who clearly cares deeply about both faith traditions and human suffering.What makes this episode exceptional is how it transcends typical partisan framing. Whether critiquing a former Democratic congresswoman now embracing right-wing conspiracy theories or challenging religious institutions across the political spectrum, Darrell stands firmly on principle rather than party. His call for reason, moral clarity, and genuine compassion offers an antidote to the very tribalism he refuses to reinforce. Listen and be challenged to examine where your own principles might be taking a backseat to political convenience. Support the show
EPISODE 142 | Project 2025: The First 180 Days (World Is Weird 15) Donald Trump said he didn't really know much about Project 2025 except that they sure liked him. And yet, of 313 specific Project 2025 initiatives, he's already enacted 108 of them, and another 63 are actively in the works as of this recording. Quite a coincidence, wouldn't you say? Project 2025 put a lot of importance of a sort of blitzkrieg if their boy won the 2024 election, a flurry of activity to define the first 180 days of his presidency and hopefully create so much change that, no matter what happens in future elections (if there are any) many of the changes they want to see happen will end up sticking around. That benchmark date was July 19. So, let's look at Project 2025. What they say, and some of their own justifications for why they say it. And we'll also see just how much Trump has actively assisted them in realizing their vision for a very different America than the world has ever seen. Like what we do? Then buy us a beer or three via our page on Buy Me a Coffee. Review us here or on IMDb. And seriously, subscribe, will ya? SECTIONS 02:40 - The Mandate for Leadership, Version IX - The first of the Four Pillars, "cultural Marxism"; yes, it really is Gilead; white nationalists and Christian nationalists, family is the key, four main goals 08:52 - Three More Pillars - Info gathering, the Presidential Administration Academy, "climate change" is code for Christian depopulation, a secret playbook, Carter was evil, the DoD and Space Force 13:16 - Economy - General ideas, "fair trade" vs. "free trade", the Consumer Protection Bureau, the Department of Labor, the Department of Commerce 21:05 - Environment - General ideas, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior 25:09 - Transportation - General ideas, get married and make babies or no funding, the Department of Transportation, the FAA 27:11 - Education - General ideas, education is a private good, not a public one; the Department of Education, Parental Bill of Rights 33:12 - Identity - General ideas, LGBTQ+ and trans people ("radical gender ideology"), DEI, pornography 36:15 - Journalism - General ideas, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the FCC, the US Agency for Global Media (now a One America News organ), the Open Technology Fund 38:39 - Healthcare - General ideas, Medicaid, Medicare, the Department of Veteran Affairs, the CDC, the Department of Health is really the Department of Life, marriage, abortions, Planned Parenthood, in vitro fertilization, teen pregnancy, the Department of Health and Human Services 47:43 - Legal - General ideas, affirmative action, the FBI, the death penalty, the Secret Service as military cops, the Department of Justice, FACE Act no longer enforced, don't say trans 53:16 - National Security - Foreign policy shifts, USAID, NATO, nukes, the Department of Defense, Cybercom, the State Department, strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia 57:26 - Immigration - CBP, ICE, TSA, USCIS, refugees, asylum pay-to-stay scheme, birthright citizenship, mass deportations, more police, FEMA funds, the Department of Homeland Security 01:04:42 - Elections - General ideas, the FEC gets limits, photo ID to vote, armed police at polling stations 01:06:58 - Expansion of the Executive - The President is boss, loyalists only, the Insurrection Act of 1807, more surveillance 01:09:24 - Federal Staffing - Bring back the spoils-and-patronage system, the White House, the National Security Council 01:12:01 - Final Thoughts - Trump totally knows about Project 2025, the vision for an America-that-never-was, why the hell didn't you vote? Music by Fanette Ronjat More Info Project 2025 Tracker website (updated daily) r/Keep_Track Full text of "Project 2025 Mandate For Leadership" The “Mandate for Leadership” Series Inside Project 2025's Secret Training Videos - video on ProPublica YouTube channel 5 Reasons Leftists HATE Project 2025 from the Heritage Foundation Project 2025 Quick Read
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is getting new permanent leadership. The Senate confirmed President Donald Trump's pick Susan Monarez to serve as CDC director. She'll be the CDC's first director without a medical degree in more than 70 years. CDC laid off about 2,400 employees in April. But the agency reinstated about a third of them. Nearly 600 employees took voluntary incentives to leave the agency and will be off its rolls by the end of the year.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma e Biotech world. Novo Nordisk has announced Maziar Mike Doustdar as its new CEO, along with a 5% reduction in its 2025 sales guidance. This decision comes as a response to the slowed growth of its semaglutide franchise in the U.S. Senate Democrats are currently looking into HHS Secretary RFK Jr.'s controversial move to dismiss all 17 members of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee. Astrazeneca CEO Pascal Soriot emphasized the importance of global collaboration in pharmaceutical research and development. Merck has allocated $3 billion to support upcoming product launches. In a surprising turn of events, the FDA has reversed its decision on Sarepta, now permitting DMD gene therapy for ambulatory patients.
Quaranteam-Northwest: Part 8 Summer Plans Based on a post by Break The Bar. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels. At dinner I checked in with Ivy first, then Vanessa when she had finished for the day and joined us. I also made a point of stopping to check in with Dani to see what she was thinking about her new co-team members, who she thought would work out fine, and Kyla. "I think she's a lot quieter than the rest of us," Dani told me as we sat side by side near Leo's RV. "Which isn't a bad thing, obviously. She isn't as used to being around girls like us though. Erica worked with strippers because of her job, along with all sorts of other crazy people, so it's whatever for her. Kyla obviously isn't used to how open we all are about sex things." I pressed my lips together and nodded, watching her as she sat in a group with Erica, Vanessa and Aria chatting. She was obviously engaged, but didn't offer much to the conversation and seemed happy to listen. "Anything else?" I asked. "Anything weird come up?" "No. Should I be watching for something?" Danielle asked. "No, no," I assured her. "I just; Erica, Ivy, Vanessa; it's working. It's crazy, but it's working. I'm worried about Kyla messing that up." "It should be fine," Dani said, patting me on the shoulder. "Erica will Mom them into shape if things get out of whack, and if she's the problem you can just spank her until she apologizes." That made me snort and shake my head with a grin. "You and her talk too much." "Or maybe we don't talk enough," Dani grinned. We folded ourselves back into the larger conversations, me joining the group with Kyla while Dani went to sit with Leo, India and Ivy. As the sun was setting we busted out the fire pit and Vanessa pointed me towards the nearest brush piles I could harvest some wood from; it seemed she'd handily directed some of her workers to pile it within easy walking distance. Then, once the fire was crackling and we all had our drinks of choice, we told the new women our story. We started with Leo and I, then how Erica had joined us for quarantine. We both teased her about hearing her masturbating, which until that moment she hadn't realized had been the case and made her blush. Then we talked about the land lease, the construction, and the introduction of Dani, Vanessa, and Ivy. Vanessa told us how fucking crazy she thought we were at first, but after that first night around the fire she'd realized something weird but special was going on so she stopped judging and started getting a little jealous. Then Ivy told her perspective, stepping into a life with Erica and me. Then we had to tell the story of Vanessa joining us, which got rushed over really quickly and then had to be retold because even Dani hadn't gotten all the details. I'd purposefully sat beside Kyla around the fire, Erica taking the spot on the other side of me. As India and Aria started ragging on Vanessa for not giving them the full story in the initial car ride when they met her, Kyla leaned over to me. "Can we talk? In private?" "Sure," I said, nodding towards our RV. I leaned back in the other direction to Erica and kissed her cheek, and she met my eye and nodded. Inside the RV Kyla had taken the Murphey seat this time so I sat on the bench opposite her. "You still feeling alright?" I asked her. "No," she laughed. Inside, in the more steady light of the RV, I could see she was flushed even with her slightly darker Filipina skin. "I feel like I've got a fever, but it's concentrated in all my erogenous zones. I don't even like women but that story about Vanessa has me..." She blew out a long breath. "I don't know how much more sex talk I can take before I snap." "I can ask them to stop if you want. Or we can have that conversation if you think you're ready." "I'm; Yeah, I'm ready to talk," she said. She took another deep breath and sat up straighter, putting her hands on her knees like she was trying to focus herself. "You can ask anything you want, and I'll try to answer," I promised her. "I don't have questions," she said. "Well, I actually have lots of questions, but they aren't important right this second. Seeing you with Erica and Ivy, and meeting Vanessa. Hearing the way Leo and Danielle talk about you. I think I know what I'd be getting into if I do this with you. And to be honest, it sounds pretty greater considering the other options that the world seems to be moving toward right now. But I never want to be someone who just takes the easy thing because it's in front of them. I know a lot about you now, but you don't know much about me. And I'll tell you, pretty much anything you want to know, but there's something I need to know if you're Okay with. More than my past, more than whatever your government is worried about." "The only way to know is to ask," I said, trying not to let my own nerves out. Kyla, who had been steady throughout the day, was showing signs of anxiety amidst her hard pressure to keep herself under control. "If I don't like it, we can try and find someone else as soon as possible." "I don't want,” She bit her tongue, cutting herself off, and took a breath. "Harrison. If I do this, if I imprint on you, this is my out. I've been doing everything my father wanted since I was a kid. The only escape I ever had was through dance, and even that he took control of to make sure I was getting the best lessons and tutors and going to the best camps and schools. And even then, he and NICA used it as well. My entire life I've been pushed and trained and taught and used because I didn't matter and my country and my service did. I want a new life, Harri. But I want that life the way I want it. I want a big family. I was an only child, and my parents tolerated each other at best in a political marriage. I want six kids at least, more if we can. Fuck, I'll pop out an even dozen and be happy. Or maybe not, maybe I'll be happy earlier than that, but I know I want a lot of kids to love on and raise in a big, supportive family. "If you can handle that, and if Erica can handle that because I know she's going to need to agree to it too, then I swear to God I'll be loyal to you and only to you. My father, NICA, my country; I can leave them all behind and in the dust if you can promise me we'll try to make my dream life happen. And I promise I'll be the best, hottest housewife I can be for as long as you can keep me barefoot and pregnant. I'll make sure I'm fit and tight and everything I can be for you in between pregnancies, but God I want this, Harri. I've never told anyone this before, but I want it so fucking bad." I didn't know what to say. She was practically sobbing in her earnest desire for what she was asking. I just slid down to my knees on the floor of the RV and wrapped my arms around her and Kyla clutched at me as she panted hard. Not crying, but desperately trying to control herself. "Kyla, I would be an extremely lucky man if I can give that all to you," I said. "And I want to tell you yes right away, but you're right. I do need to check with Erica first. Do you want me to call her in to ask her now?" She hesitated a moment, then nodded and sat back on the chair, sucking in a deep and unsteady breath. I stood up and opened the RV door, sticking my head out. All three of my women looked over to me and I made what I hoped was a reassuring smile, then locked eyes with Erica and motioned her over with a head jerk. She joined us, shutting the RV door behind her. "What's up?" she asked. "Everything Okay?" I looked at Kyla. "Do you want me to ask, or you?" "I; You," she said after hesitating. I turned to Erica and reached out, holding her hand. "So, I know we had our conversation earlier, but I didn't realize this was coming or maybe we would have talked about it more seriously. Kyla is ready to join us, but she has an ask. Because of her own family past, one thing she wants more than anything is to have kids. A whole bunch of them. So she wants to know if you and I are Okay with that and willing for that to happen, or if we should try to find her someone else who can help her get the life she wants." Erica's eyes had widened as I was speaking and her jaw worked a few times before she could find the right words. Then she turned to Kyla and looked at her for a long, long moment before putting a hand on her shoulder. "That's the most important thing for you?" she asked quietly. Kyla nodded, then looked up to meet Erica's gaze. "More than anything else. And I want to do that with Harrison; God, I haven't even known him a day but it's like I can see it right there in front of me. He'd make a great husband and an even better father. I just know he's yours more than either of the others, and I couldn't risk saying yes to him without you saying yes to this." "God, fuck," Erica sighed, and I realized she was tearing up as well. She looked to me. "Yes, obviously, if it's what she needs then yes. But I guess now I need to stop taking the pill because I'm not just gonna sit by and not be in the running for the first mother of your child." Now it was my turn to be surprised. "But we just,” She kissed me to shut me up. "It doesn't matter," she said. "I love you, you love me. If the world implodes and we're all shot off into space, I still won't regret making a kid with you." She turned to Kyla. "Are you going to love him?" "I'm going to try," she said. "And I'll work harder at it than my parents ever did." "Then yes," Erica said. "But, and I'll only ever say this once and you need to listen to me closely, if this isn't the truth and you hurt Harrison or me or anyone else here then I swear to everything in heaven and hell that I will end you. Do we understand each other?" Kyla nodded, taking her seriously. "I do, and I won't." "Okay," Erica said, and leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. "You clearly need a fuck, so unless you've suddenly turned Bi then I should leave you to it." She turned to me and kissed me hard, and I hugged her to keep her close. "You're sure?" I asked her in a whisper. She nodded. "Rock her world, babe. Show her why she's one of the four luckiest women on the planet." She kissed my cheek, squeezed my fingers in hers, and then stepped away and out of the RV. Kyla looked like she was going to jump out of her seat. "So,” I started. Kyla stood up abruptly and grabbed me by the face, smashing her plush lips to mine. I naturally grabbed her by the waist as we started making out right there in the middle of the RV. She'd been wearing that bulky coverall the entire day and now she started to scramble to try and get it unzipped and off at the same time as trying to get me to get my shirt off, which just turned into an awkward mess of her hands moving back and forth between us. "Stop, stop," I murmured, pulling my lips from hers. She actually whined a little in her throat and then blinked in surprise at her own reaction. I picked her up and she wrapped her legs around my waist as I carried her back towards the bed. Like this, she was taller than me and she bent down to kiss me some more, making it hard for me to navigate. Thankfully it was a straight shot, and there wasn't a lip at the door to the bedroom area that I needed to duck under or step over. I found the bed with my shin and stopped and lowered her down onto it so we lay somewhere in the middle, me on top of her as we kept making out. Once we were done I pulled away and tugged off my shirt. "Fuck," she groaned, looking at me hungrily. "Not what you're used to?" I asked. She shook her head. "No, so much better." She raised her hands to my stomach and up to my chest, letting her fingers play through my chest hair. I couldn't help myself and I reached down and unzipped the coverall down to her belly button. Underneath, all she had on was a set of black bra and panties. On the one hand, I was starting to get mesmerized by her body very quickly, but on the other, I remembered in the back of my mind that she hadn't arrived with any luggage. I lifted her from under her arms and she let me help her pull the coveralls off, then raised her ass so I could pull them from her legs as well. I crashed back down onto her, now feeling her smooth skin on mine. Her body was everything I would have expected from a dancer; smooth and sleek all over, with toned muscling and a sort of feline grace as she moved around. "Where; are; your clothes; and things?" I asked between kisses. "They said; they would bring; them up; from Cali,” she replied. Then she stopped the kissing and looked up at me. "Seriously, I've got this fucking craving for your cock right now like I can't believe, Harri. I need you to fuck me so fucking bad." "Okay," I said, and then kissed her again as I reached under her to unsnap her bra. When she realized what I wanted she didn't even bother with the snap, she just yanked the black cups off her tits and the whole thing over her head. Her tits were a perfect size for my big hands to palm, a bit bigger than Ivy's but much smaller than Erica's, and her dark brown areolas were smooth and a little puffy, with two perfect nubs for nipples. I sucked on one, feeling how hard they were, but she was stretching to try and get my shorts off of me. She needed the imprinting. We could always explore each other more in the future. I leaned away from her, one hand still on her tit and holding her down, as I shoved down my shorts and boxers. For her part, she pushed her panties down to her knees and I pulled them the rest of the way off. Her cunt was a gorgeous brown, flushed darker than the skin above and slick with her chemically-induced horniness. Even her clit hood was a little pulled back, the softer pink of her clit just visible from being swollen. She was entirely bare, and I wondered if that was a personal choice or a seduction tactic she'd been told to follow. Not that I cared at the moment. I wanted to eat her out and taste her. I wanted to make this last, to wow her like Erica had said. Fuck, let's be real, I wanted to impress the seductive honey trap spy with my sex skills. "Fuck my brains out," Kyla demanded. "Fuck me until I can only ever think of you. Take me and make me yours, you fucking massive wall of American god." I could impress her later. Her cunt accepted my cock like a perfectly tailored suit. I slid in, and even though she was tight and her muscles were firm as hell as they clenched at me she was also extremely willing. That changed when I was almost all the way in though, but not from want of trying. Kyla came, her entire body rolling and arching as her cunt clenched down enough to almost start forcing my cock out. She grabbed me around the shoulder and hugged herself up, clinging to me, and her hips roiled as she thrust hard up and down. Her eyes were squeezed shut, her lips curled in an ugly snarl for a long moment, until the orgasm passed and she let go of me, falling a couple of inches back to the bed with a 'whumph.' "H-Holy fuck," she panted, looking up at me in confusion. "What was that? That,” She blinked rapidly. "Did no one tell you about the first orgasm?" I asked her. She shook her head, still blinking like she was trying to gain her focus. "Fuck me and tell me," she said. I started to slow-thrust, enjoying the delicious warmth of her as I leaned down a bit more, pressing my full body against hers as she spread her legs wider for me. "They told Erica in the information session that she should expect a massive orgasm the first time she ingested a man's precum, and the biggest one of her life when they ingest their actual cum." "She got an information session?" Kyla panted, looking slightly alarmed. "You didn't?" I asked, equally alarmed. We'd both stopped thrusting at each other, not sure what to do. "Fuck it, fucking fuck me," she said and rolled her body to get my cock deeper inside her again. I wasn't going to argue with that. We fucked like that, mutually, for a bit and then I took some more control and went up high on my hands for better leverage and started to fuck her harder. Kyla moaned and panted beneath me, then raised her lips up and sucked on one of my nipples, which was an oddly pleasurable surprise, and then she took some of my hairy pec muscle between her teeth and bit me lightly as she came again. "Ow," I said when she dropped back to the bed again. "Sorry," she panted. "I just; you're really fucking good." Huh, maybe I can impress the spy, I thought. "I'm getting closer," I told her. I'd had... well, not the most amount of sex I'd had in a day, but a bunch, so I wasn't entirely surprised I was lasting as long as I was. "Do you want to try something else?" "I want to try everything with you," she gasped and kissed me. "But... let me..." I disengaged with her, which made her moan like a whore, and she scrambled around on the bed until she was at the bottom corner on her back. Then she spread her legs wide into a full split, and then even wider until she had one leg practically parallel with her torso and the other was way out to the other side. If she was a clock, she would have been showing 10 o'clock. "Fuck me hard. Use my hole," she said, licking her lips. "Get your cock back inside; yes! Oh, fuck, Harrison. Make my cunt fucking squirm. Make your cunt squirm. It's yours now. I'm yours. My whole body. Fuck! I've never felt it like this before. I've never felt anything like this." I was crushing down into her in big, hard strokes and I could feel her cunt squishing with her juices and my balls slapping against her ass cheeks. I was hovering over her and a bead of sweat had trailed down to the end of my nose. Kyla opened her mouth and stuck her tongue out, licking it off of me. I lowered the rest of the way to her and kissed her hard, then hugged her tightly as I started pumping short and quick, barely leaving her cunt. "I can't wait to fall in love with you," I whispered to her. "I can't wait to make babies with you, and start a family." "Do it," she gasped. "Put a baby in me. Make my womb yours forever. Breed me, make me your breeding wife-whore. Love me, may-ari. Oh, fucking; that's what you are, you beautiful big bastard. You're my may-ari. My owner. I choose you. I choose; I,” I couldn't have stopped from coming in her if my life depended on it. She was pushing towards her own orgasm already, and her years of dance and other physical activity had turned her core into a vice that sucked at my cock like a hoover. I came as she lost her grip on her words, chanting about choosing me. She came as well, a scream quenched in her throat as her entire body flexed and tensed. I filled her up, releasing over and over in her, but I finished before she did and just went right back to fucking her since my cock hadn't gone soft yet and she was still coming. I only stopped when she went slack, her legs falling back to a more natural position, and her face went from that clenched teeth-gritting tension to a soft, satisfied smile. "Imprinting. Imprinting. Imprinting." I pulled away from her slowly, making sure she wasn't going to fall from the bed, and found that the entire bottom corner and the edge of the mattress were wet and sticky with juices. Along with my legs, crotch and hips. "Great, another squirter," I sighed. Not that I actually minded, but it just meant we'd be doing even more laundry in the tiny machine the RV held. I stood and, once I felt like I could be coordinated enough, I picked Kyla up in a cradle and lifted her higher on the bed and tucked her in. She was in the fetal position, still mumbling the imprinting sequence with that smile. I had to grab a new pair of shorts since mine had ended up in the splash zone, and I didn't bother putting on a shirt but did wipe myself down with some wet paper towel. Stumbling out of the RV, I was greeted by catcalls and applause. Looking around, the fire was still going and someone had stocked it higher with wood. Erica, Dani and Vanessa were all sitting in the Adirondack chairs, and Ivy was sitting curled up in Erica's lap. "Where are Leo and the girls?" I asked, trying my best not to let them show the embarrassment I knew they were going for with their teasing. "Aria and India were going to fuck, and invited Leo to watch," Dani smirked. "So I assume he's in there either jerking off, or fucking." "I don't need to picture that," Erica rolled her eyes. I stepped over and kissed Vanessa as she leaned her head back and reached up to hug me around the neck. Then I slipped around the circle to Ivy and Erica and kissed both of them. Dani opened her arms to me as well, so I hugged her and she kissed my cheek. "Congrats," she said as I pulled away. "Pops." "Oh, God," I groaned and looked at Erica. "You told them?" "Was I supposed to keep it a secret?" she countered. "I needed to talk it out with someone." Vanessa had stood from her chair and gestured for me to take her seat and went inside the RV, coming back out with some more beers. She passed them around and then sat on my lap similar to the way Ivy was with Erica. We sat that way for a while talking as the night sky played out above us. I'd always loved looking up at the sky out on the property, away from any major sources of light pollution. Now spotlights were lighting up the construction area a hundred yards away, where men and women were working through the night. The view was dimmed, and I wondered if it would ever be as clear again as it had been a month ago. Dani slipped off to bed first, and Vanessa grumbled that she had to be up in the morning for work so the rest of us went quickly. We never had discussed the sleeping arrangements, so I ended up sleeping next to Kyla, with Erica pressing her back to my side and holding my arm under her and around her stomach, with Vanessa spooning up to her and Ivy on the end on her back, snuggled partially under Vanessa. I knocked on the door and set the two big brown paper bags down on the stoop and backed away. The house wasn't 'old' per se, located in a neighborhood that had been developed almost twenty-five years ago, and hadn't been updated since it was first built. To be fair, there hadn't ever exactly been a housing boom in the area, so other than the one-off builds it was probably one of the newest places around. The inner front door opened and Mary looked out cautiously, then in surprise as she saw me. She hadn't texted me like I'd asked her to, and it had almost been a week since I'd seen her in the parking lot at the grocery store. She looked a little better, though not by much, and I wondered how far she'd been able to stretch that $70 I'd been able to give her then. "Harri?" she asked in surprise. "Hey, Mary," I said with a little wave. "How did you; Is this;?" "It wasn't that hard, Mary," I said. "I just made a couple of calls. You never texted me." "I know, I,” she hesitated, and then hung her head. "I was so embarrassed." "You don't need to be," I told her. "You're in a tough spot, and I'm not. I want to help out." "Mom? Who's at the door?" came a little voice from inside. A boy poked his head around Mary's hip, looking cute and curious. "It's an old friend of Mommies," Mary said. "He's just here to say hello." "Hey there buddy," I said, smiling as I pulled my mask down and waved, then let the mask snap back up and played like it had rocked me. The kid giggled. "My name is Harrison, but everyone calls me Harri on account of my big beard and hair." "That's a funny name," the kid said. "If you got rid of your beard, what would they call you?" "Hmm, that's a good question!" I said. "I don't know. Maybe you should ask your Mom, she knew me when I didn't have a beard." "We still called him Harri, baby," Mary said, smiling down at the boy and running her fingers through his hair. The kid had keen eyes and noticed the bags on the stoop and the food inside. "Is that for us?" "It is, kiddo," I said. "Could you help your Mom get it inside?" "Sure!" he said. Mary sighed and opened the screen door for him, and the kid came out in his socks and hefted up one of the bags and started carrying it in. "Harri, you don't need to,” "I made sure there are some snacks for the kids in there," I said, pretending like she hadn't been talking. "I know they aren't nutritious, but I figured you can bribe some good behavior for some Oreos and stuff every once in a while. There's also a bottle of merlot in that other one there, so you may not want the kiddo to lift it. He's a cute kid, by the way. I've got an order in down at the butcher's that I'm supposed to pick up tomorrow, so I'll be by sometime tomorrow afternoon with some meat for you guys too. Maybe I can meet your little girl then? Charlie, right?" Mary looked like she was about to cry, and I didn't want to push her over the edge so I tried to make it all like it wasn't a big deal. "Alright, Mary. See you tomorrow. Let me know if you need anything specific and I'll see what I can do, alright? Tell the kiddo not to eat all the gummy worms at once." I was halfway down the driveway to my truck when the screen door opened again. "Harri," Mary called. I looked back and she was standing on the porch, looking at me with tears brimming in her eyes and a happy frown on her face. From this distance, without a mask, I could still see her as the little button-nosed cheerleader I'd known. "Thank you." I just winked and waved, heading back to my truck. "That was really kind of you," Kyla said as I got in. "It's nothing," I said. "I knew her in high school and her husband's been missing for a while." Kyla took one of my hands from the steering wheel and wrapped her fingers in mine, looking at it. The casual intimacy was still new; the first couple days after her imprinting had been us feeling each other out, and her getting comfortable with the general openness to sex that was our new life. I'd made it a point to spend time with her, both sexually and non-sexually, each day and we were slowly starting to find a soft groove. "That's still kindness, Harri," she said. "You're sure she needs it? I don't want to see you getting taken advantage of." "I'm sure," I said. "Okay," Kyla nodded. "Then we'll help her. Now, let's continue this tour. I want to know everything I can about this little podunk, backwoods town I've been shipped off to." "Well, the first thing you should know is that I'm pretty sure it isn't big enough to be considered a town. Maybe a village?" "Oh, God," she laughed. "Not if you consider all the construction workers moving in." "True. I bet we're close to half-againing the local population at this point. Vanessa said we'll hit a thousand by the end of the week." "With that many," Kyla said. "We should have our house in, what, a few months?" "No idea," I said. "No fucking idea." "Fuck, it's already June," I groaned. It was hot as balls and I was regretting putting on my 'go out into the world' getup. "How did you miss the 1st?" Erica asked, also done up in her gear. "How did we miss Memorial Day?" I countered. "Oh, shit," Leo said, standing up from where he'd been sitting over near his RV. "You're right, we did miss Memorial Day. Should we do something?" "Like what?" I asked. "We could throw a party," Ivy suggested. "We could all dress up fancy and have a dance?" The surveyors had been needing Leo and me less and less lately and I was starting to get a little twitchy with how little I had to do. Quarantine before all of this really kicked off had been one thing, but now we didn't even have our big wide backyard to ourselves. When Erica had mentioned that she wanted to take a drive into Portland to pick up some things from the tattoo parlor and check her apartment I'd jumped on the chance and we'd made the plan. The girls were already starting to excitedly talk about planning our late Memorial Day celebration as I stretched and sighed, checking my watch. We'd been planning to leave right after lunch and it was already 3pm. Vanessa had taken an extended break since she'd worked late the night before and we'd had some one-on-one fun in the RV, which had been sorely needed for her. Where the rest of us were struggling to find things to keep busy and motivated, the last week had seen more and more responsibility and work landing in Vanessa's lap as the construction crews started to show up and move into the barracks. It meant there was an entirely new crew of cleaners, maintenance workers and delivery people under her supervision along with her 'gorillas.' Not to mention her wrangling of the other foremen and administrators on-site as her father handled the top-end details of the job. Every day it seemed like new equipment and supplies were being delivered and a third barracks was quickly being erected as even more hands were around. But an hour with Vanessa had delayed us, and when I was finally ready to go Dani was busy with Leo over at their place, and since she was coming with us Erica and I had to wait. Then Erica and Kyla were ensconced in a private conversation in our RV when Dani emerged ready to go, so we lost another half hour before the three of us were all finally dressed and prepped to leave. "Okay," I said loudly, trying to cut through the multiple party-related conversations. "We're all agreed we'll do a Memorial Day thing, but we're burning daylight. Erica and Dani, let's go." We took my truck, only needing one vehicle since we weren't hauling a ton of stuff like the last time. As we pulled around the site offices I spotted Vanessa walking with one of the other foremen in conversation and gave her a little double honk. She smiled and waved. Driving down the old driveway path there were now a half dozen wide offshoots winding off into the trees and closer to the highway there were big swathes of ground that had been cleared and were starting to get flattened by scrapers and excavators. Vanessa had mentioned that we'd end up with a couple of strip malls worth of stores to help provide for the eventual community; a convenience store, a clinic, a dentist, that sort of thing. Right at the end of the driveway a guard hut had been erected, little more than a fancy roadside fruit stall that could barely fit two people inside. I pulled up next to it and Erica rolled down the window. "Hey Patrick," I said, waving to the construction worker manning the booth and tracking the ins and outs. "Hey folks," the older guy said with a grin. He was supposed to be on the road crews but had arrived earlier than needed. I'd asked him once if standing in the guard booth all day working a clipboard was boring and he assured me that after three decades manning a 'Slow/Stop' sign in the middle of roads through sun, rain and sleet, the booth and the clipboard were welcome. "We'll be out for a few hours," I said. "Sounds good," he replied and made a note on his clipboard. Then he wiped at his eyes and cleared his throat, blinking. "Y'all didn't say anything about how bad the pollen got up here. I think my allergies are kicking up and I didn't bring any of my meds, I thought the North West was supposed to be wet." "It usually is. We'll pick you something up," Erica offered. "We need to stop at a pharmacy anyways." "We do?" I asked. "We do," Erica said, patting me on the knee. "Hah," Patrick laughed. "And here I thought you was some sort of Big Dog, Harri. But you're as whipped by your women as the rest of us." "See you in a bit, Patrick," I said. He waved us off, then covered his mouth to cough a little. "Poor guy," Dani said. "I'd hate if I had allergies like that." "We'll get him fixed up," I said as I pulled onto the highway and started heading in the direction of Portland. "It's been weirdly dry and hot so I'm betting the dust from the brush cutting is doing it to him." And I didn't think anything more of it. Erica unlocked the metal grate that pulled down over the front of the tattoo parlor and lifted it up on the rollers enough to uncover the door. The good news was that the whole thing with the 'Autonomous Zone' seemed to have burned itself out and Portland was no longer hosting big protests at the moment. The bad news was that only happened after a week of riots and several news-worthy moments of violence and vandalism. Thankfully the parlor wasn't on one of the major routes the riots had travelled down and there didn't seem to be any damage other than sprayed graffiti on the grate and some of the glass windows behind it. I'd pulled my truck right up over the curb and parked us as close as possible. The streets were as empty of people moving around as the last time we'd come into the city, except there was more trash. I'd seen old newsreels of when there had been major strikes in New York City back in the early 80s and it wasn't exactly that bad, but another couple of weeks and it might get there. Someone must have been doing collections, they were just overburdened or understaffed or something. I had to nudge a pile out of the way with the front of my truck to wedge into the open space, but it almost immediately proved worth it as a trio of ambulances came burning down the street with their lights running. If I'd parked on the street one of them would have needed to swerve out of the way and who knew if those extra seconds would be the difference between life or death for someone; not to mention the potential of the ambulance not swerving fast enough and clipping my truck. Inside the tattoo parlor Erica went straight to her bay and started unhooking and gathering her equipment. Dani was looking around at the place, grinning as she examined the wild decor. She would call out questions to Erica, who would tell her who had done what mural, or the brief story behind the broken surfboard hanging from the ceiling and the skateboard deck covered in almost a hundred different signatures. I spotted a photo on the wall and realized it was of Erica and all of her staff at the most recent DragonCon where they had put up a booth and done live tattooing. Erica had said beforehand she thought it might be a waste of time, but the owner of the parlor was a huge nerd and wanted to do it so it was her job to organize. I never had found out how it went, but she looked happy in the photo. I grabbed the frame from the wall and brought it over to her. "Do you want to bring this, too?" I asked. She glanced at it and paused her work, then smiled and hugged me. "That's sweet, Harri. Yes, absolutely." She took the frame and put it in one of the boxes we'd brought for her to carry stuff, then turned to me. "Hey, could you just empty all those drawers there into the boxes? Don't just dump them, but there isn't anything particularly fragile. It's mostly inks and cleaner solutions and stuff." "Sure," I said. "Thanks, babe," she said and kissed my cheek. "Dani and I are just going to slip through to next door." "Oh, God," I groaned. I hadn't realized that was her plan. "Don't worry," she grinned. "It'll all be fun for you, I promise." The owner of the tattoo parlor also owned the sex shop next door and had installed a door between the two since the clientele crossed over fairly consistently. Erica led Dani through the door, opening it with her key, and I could hear them laughing and giggling. By the time I was done with the drawers Erica had pointed out, placing what seemed like hundreds of little vials and bottles of inks and other liquids into the boxes along with some other art supplies, they hadn't come back. I went to the door and opened it, looking in. Erica glanced over, grinning as she held another box and Dani was placing something inside. "You want any porn, babe?" "What do I need porn for?" I asked. "I dunno," she said. "Variety?" "Ooh, this one is called 'Big Black Booties 15,'" Dani said, grabbing a DVD from a nearby shelf and waving it at me. "You don't have that kind of variety yet, Harri." I snorted and shook my head. "I'm perfectly happy with the booties at my disposal, thank you." Dani shrugged and put the DVD in the box. "I'll see if Leo wants it." "Gag!" Erica laughed, making them both start giggling. I had a feeling that was a running joke between them. "How are we paying for this stuff?" I asked. "Everything is turned off and we don't have any cash." "Artie told me I could Venmo him at a 75% discount," Erica said. "Plus anything with an expiry date I could have for free. So we've got a lot of lube now, along with a bunch of penis-shaped candy and some candy underwear." I sighed and shook my head. "Oh my God, we should take her with us," Dani said, pointing up on a high shelf where a creepily lifelike sex doll was sitting. "I think you mean rescue her," Erica said. "Harri, help me get her down." "Really?" I asked. "Yes," they both demanded. When we packed up the truck we had two boxes of Erica's tattoo gear and other possessions from the shop, another full box of Sex Shop stuff, and Dani was sitting in the back next to 'Sexy Susan' who had also happened to get dressed in a sexy nurse costume. They thought it was fucking hilarious, I just thought 'Sexy Susan' was a little creepy. Dani stayed down in the truck, taking the front seat as I pointed out that the 1911 was in its case under the passenger seat if she needed it, while Erica and I headed up to her apartment. The elevator had an 'out of order' sign on it, and Erica had to use her key to the building to get into the stairwell which she said she'd never had to do before. That was an immediate red flag to me, but I kept my cool to try and not worry her. "You know," Erica said as we climbed the stairs. All our sex cardio seemed to be paying off because we weren't puffing from the exertion yet. "You haven't officially asked me to move in yet." "What?' I asked. "Leo and I,” "That wasn't asking me to move in permanently," Erica cut me off. "That was just for quarantine." I rolled my eyes, knowing where she was going with this. At the next floor I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to me, pulling down my mask and hers and kissing her hard and deep. "Erica Lacosta, will you move in with me forever and ever?" I asked her. "Yes," she grinned. "Yes, I will." She kissed me lightly to seal it, then sighed and we raised our masks and started climbing more stairs. "With that out of the way, I should really try and find a way out of my lease. Just because you have money doesn't mean I should be wasting mine on a place I'm not ever planning on moving back into." "I'll help with some research," I said. "I know there's all the clamor about halting eviction notices, but maybe there's something that will help. I could text Miriam, see if Captain Bloomberg knows anything offhand." "Hmm, maybe,” Erica started, but stopped as we reached her floor and found that door locked as well. "What the fuck?" she sighed and unlocked it. "Let me go first," I said. "Why? It's just..." As we entered the corridor Erica trailed off, seeing the tracks of dirty footprints in the hall and the spray paint on the walls. She immediately started to move forward, but I grabbed her arm and stopped her. "Wait," I said. "Look." I pointed at the big circles on the walls next to each door, but she clearly didn't understand what I was pointing out. "Those are FEMA search and rescue marks." Erica blinked once and was obviously unsure of what to say. "Let's just take it slow," I said. We walked down the hallway. Some of the doors were shut, but others looked like they'd been kicked in. "What do they mean?" Erica asked me, looking at the circles and the scribbles of letters and numbers on the walls. Each circle had an X dividing it into four parts, and each quadrant was marked. "The top part is the date the location was searched," I said. "5-24 means it happened May 24th, so a little over a week and a half ago. The left side is who did the search, the numbers are probably a military code for a National Guard unit. If it said PPD that would be the Portland police, or CDC or DEA or whoever. The right side is if there are any hazards." I pointed to one of the doors that were kicked in. "NE means 'No Entry.'" Then I pointed to another. "F/W means there's contaminated food and water." I pointed at another door, this one wasn't kicked in. "A 0 means no hazards. "What are the bottom parts?" Erica asked. I frowned and swallowed. "The crossed 0 means no one found. DB or DOA means dead bodies. LB means live people are, or were, inside." Erica looked at the carnage of the corridor, her eyes scanning the doors of her neighbors as she weighed the number of DBs. There weren't many 0s, but about half of the apartments were labelled LB and hadn't been kicked open. Half. We got to Erica's place around the hall corner, passing the old lady Diane's door. It was kicked in and labelled NE, DB. Erica poked the door with her boot and it swung in. Inside, other than the dirty boot prints, it looked generally neat and tidy... other than the pool of dark something that had dried on the kitchen linoleum. I grabbed Erica and held her as she gasped and her knees went weak. I pulled her away from the door and she saw that her own apartment had also been kicked in, but was labelled 0 hazards and 0 bodies. We went in and she sat down on the couch, burying her head in her hands. Kneeling in front of her, I cradled her head on my shoulder and hugged her tightly as the reality of the world settled on her. She cried, though not as long as she probably needed, as I talked her through what had probably happened. Enough people had gotten sick and called emergency services that they came to do a sweep of the building. They knocked on every door, and anywhere someone didn't answer they kicked it in. Then I assumed they had extracted the bodies. "I need to get out of here," Erica breathed. "Okay," I said. "Do you need me to grab anything? Did we forget anything last time?" "No, nothing," she shook her head. "Just get me out of here." I picked her up and carried her out. Erica wasn't Ivy or Vanessa, or even Kyla. She was a full-figured woman. But I carried her every fucking step, down every stair. She stopped me right at the doors to the building and had me let her down. "I don't want Dani to see me like this," she said. "Why?" I asked. "She would understand." "I know," she said, blinking under her ski goggles. "But if she sees me like this, she'll start thinking about what might be happening back home for her, and she doesn't need that." I held Erica's hand at the door for another minute as she breathed deeply and got control of herself, and finally she smiled at me and it actually travelled up to her eyes. "Thanks, babe," she said. "Love you," I said. "You too," she said and touched her forehead to mine since we were both masked and goggled. "Hey, Charlie," I grinned, waving to the little four-year-old as she sprawled in Mary's arms and waved back with her little grin. "Hi," she chirped. "Okay," Mary said, setting her daughter down. "Scoot, you. Let Mommy talk with Harri for a second. Go see what your brother is doing." "Okay," Charlie said and pounded off in the way only a four-year-old could. "You're looking more like yourself, Mary," I said. I was standing off the porch and we kept the screen door closed, but I had my mask lowered so she could see my face. She smiled softly and shrugged. "I don't feel like it, but thanks." "How are the kids doing?" I asked. "Well, I regret letting them eat sugar again," she smirked a little. "But they're good. Better than me, anyways, though Thomas misses his friends from school and keeps asking when he can go back to class." She laughed and wiped under one eye. "He used to hate going to school every morning, now it's all he wants to do." "We'll get there eventually," I assured her. "What about you? How are you doing?"
Last month, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired an influential committee of vaccine advisers to the CDC. What that decision could mean for vaccines and America's public health.
From measles scares to shifts around COVID guidelines, vaccine conversations have gotten more complicated. Parents have questions about what's required for school, who qualifies for exemptions, and how to navigate conflicting advice from the CDC, social media, and their own doctors. The Commissioner of the Monroe County Department of Public Health joins us to cut through the noise and talk about vaccines and public health, and how her department is building trust in a time of science skepticism. In studio: Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown, Commissioner of the Monroe County Department of Public Health Dr. Andrew Cox, associate director of Center for Infectious Disease and Immunology Research for RRH
A new report that looks at gun violence in Minnesota found that gun deaths increased year-over-year in 2024. The analysis by Protect Minnesota found 564 Minnesotans lost their lives to gun violence in 2024. That's slightly up from 530 people in 2023. It's in contrast to what's happening in the United States. CDC data shows a 5 percent decrease in gun deaths in 2024. More than 44,000 people died of gunshot wounds last year, compared to 46,000 in 2023. Joining Minnesota Now to help us dig deeper into this report is Maggiy Emery, the executive director of Protect Minnesota.
BEST OF TSTSHOW 1: In 2008 the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation financed Jichi Medical University in Japan to develop “a mosquito that can produce and secrete a malaria vaccine protein.” The initiative was aimed at creating a “flying syringe, to deliver protective vaccine via saliva.” In 2010 they gave money to UK-based biotech company Oxitec to develop genetically modified mosquitoes that could be lethal to carriers of dengue, zika, and yellow fever. Science Magazine published a report that year on this Japanese research and discussed what they called “flying vaccinators.” In 2015 the people of Florida, set to be the Oxitec testing ground, signed a petition against such open-air lab trials. In 2021 the trial proceeded regardless and in April 2022 Nature published a report on the results which found that although mosquitoes died in large numbers there was no reduction in disease spread or need for pesticides, which often cause the very symptoms of the diseases. A few days ago a mosquito-malaria-vaccine trial was carried out in Washington State. Of 14 participants, 7 were diagnosed with malaria leading researchers to declare their mosquito-vaccine was 50% effective. However, they made no mention of how the other half of the group could be exposed to ‘malaria' and yet not develop the disease with its vague ‘symptom complex' list. There is no question why such a malaria vaccine should be tested in the U.S. where cases rarely top 2,000 and where death rarely reaches double digits. Meanwhile, Africa is home to 95% of cases and 96% of deaths, while India is home to most of the world's polio. It is likely these ‘disease' are caused by environment, as demonstrated by official WHO data, rather than tiny invisible particles. While focus has been on the mosquito, the NIH and B&MGF have also been researching a needle-less vaccine. Such research goes back to Spain in 1999 where researchers were able to spread vaccine-induced antibodies to non-vaccinated rabbits via vaccinated rabbits. All was done in natural interaction without needle, misquotes, or any other tool. SHOW 2: Malaria is supposedly on the rise in the United States, where seven cases between Florida and Texas have been reported in the last few weeks. The CDC issued a public health alert as a result and the media collectively is spreading the terror of malaria with graphs, charts, stories, and symptoms. The strange thing is that malaria is always present, particularly in those two states, where in 2012 cases were 102 in Texas and 59 in Florida. Over the years those numbers went up and down, peaking in 2019 and then dropping significantly in 2020. This is why the media can claim cases are on the rise even if they are below the previous decade peak. From NPR to the New Scientist there are, of course, solutions to this terrible outbreak that isn't much of an outbreak: vaccines and genetically modified mosquitoes that could produce antibodies against malaria parasite. However, these same genetically modified insects have been in development since 2008 and were released in Florida after 2015. They were created with money from the B&MGF: “a mosquito that can produce and secrete a malaria vaccine protein.” But what if gm-mosquitoes are another alternative lab-leak theory? Malaria's symptoms are themselves invariably described in the same way that heat stroke symptoms are: headaches, fever, muscle aches, nausea, etc. Any mosquito issue, genetically modified or otherwise, can of course be treated with new drugs and chemicals, like the Pyriproxyfen that caused Microcephaly which was blamed on zika and mosquitos. *The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below underneath the show description.FREE ARCHIVE (w. ads)SUBSCRIPTION ARCHIVEX / TWITTER FACEBOOKWEBSITECashApp: $rdgable EMAIL: rdgable@yahoo.com / TSTRadio@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-secret-teachings--5328407/support.
Temperatures this summer have been hotter than usual, a trend we have come to expect with climate change as records are continually surpassed. While many of us can ride out extreme heat in the comfort of air conditioned interior spaces, outdoor workers don't have that option and must contend with the risks of serious injury which can be acute and long lasting. A fast growing market for wearable cooling products, both in high tech and low tech varieties, is attempting to meet the challenge. Among those products is the CülCan, made by the Tennessee based small business Black Ice. “If you can pull heat away from your hand, it'll cool your whole body down. And so that's what we've done with the CülCan. It's basically a five inch cylinder that contains our special coolant,” said Mike Beavers, co-founder of Black Ice. A key selling point of the product, according to Beavers, is that the coolant inside, which is a chemical composition Beavers designed, doesn't get as cold as ice, so it is easier to use on a person's skin. “You put it in ice water or a freezer… and then you just hold it in the palm of your hand,” he said. “That is now our most popular product. We sell tons of those things.”Beavers said his business has been growing by about 30 percent a year over the last three years, an acceleration from its previous pace. The company has been around for about 20 years. Across the Atlantic, the Swiss company GreenTeg is also reporting growing demand for its continuous body temperature monitors, which are worn with a patch or a strap. The monitors are often employed by athletes who have to perform outdoors, said CEO and founder Wulf Glatz. “So this device can communicate then with your smartphone,” he said, “and it will estimate your core temperature and broadcast that value to that device.”Being able to monitor core temperature can help with prevention. Unlike a simple thermometer which, if put against the skin, would only tell you the temperature on your skin, GreenTeg claims its monitors can measure the temperature inside the body. It is that core temperature that is key to whether someone is developing heat-related illness. Glatz says there's growing interest in his company's technology. They've been approached by organizations representing firefighters, the military, miners and airfield workers. “If there's an airplane landing, you need to unload the baggage. You can't wait for three hours for it to get cooler, but what you can do is to measure the individuals and really have them safe,” he said, “maybe you need to exchange teams in higher frequency, maybe you need to equip them with cooling gear.”Brett Perkison, an environmental and occupational medicine specialist at UTHealth Houston, tested one of GreenTeg's monitors in combination with cooling vests. In a small study, he found the combination approach helpful in limiting heat related illnesses among outdoor laborers. The problem with the personal cooling industry is that not all of the gadgets being sold to the public are proven to work. For example, ones that use fans to cool the body, such as ventilated helmets, are unlikely to do much in humid environments, said Fabiano Amorim of the University of New Mexico, who has studied heat stress on outdoor workers in Brazil and the U.S. “[Helmets with fans] can increase the comfort or let's say your perception to heat, but it's not reducing your temperature,” he said. Not reducing core body temperature on hot days can have serious consequences. The number of heat-related emergency room visits in the summer of 2023 totaled 120,000, according to the CDC. Heat stress can cause someone to get lightheaded and fatigued. More serious symptoms include seizures. Repeat exposure to heat stress can permanently damage people's kidneys, Amorim said. The condition can be fatal. “We have seen people 40, 50 years old, [who are] dying from chronic kidney disease. And, they don't have any factor that's related to the traditional chronic kidney disease. That's hypertension, obesity and diabetes. And, the only history these people have is working under hot environments,” Amorim said. Many people do not develop serious symptoms until it's too late. That means employers must be proactive in employing cooling gadgets and strategies such as rest breaks in shaded areas, access to cool water, and access to bathrooms so workers feel confident in drinking plenty of liquids. But while more tools to avoid heat illness are coming to market, companies are not racing to adopt them. Many do not have adequate heat stress prevention programs at all. “There needs to be an acceptance by the business community, the public community, about the ramifications of heat stress. So I would hope that if we continue, instead of having 20% of businesses having an adequate heat stress prevention program, in 10 years, we'll have 80%,” Perkison said. Adopting cooling gadgets as part of prevention programs faces hurdles. Aside from concerns over efficacy, there is also the problem of measurement. Perkison said it is hard to tell when someone is struggling with heat before symptoms start. “There's not a lab value that we can get to identify when somebody has heat stress,” he said, which means that it is hard for companies to keep track of workers' health and know when to take action, unless they use a digital monitor like the one provided by GreenTeg. Mike Beavers, the Tennessee-based inventor of the CülCan, said he has been surprised by the diversity of his client base, including the many people with multiple sclerosis who are using it. The disease of the central nervous system causes symptoms such as numbness and trouble walking which, for some, can worsen in heat. “We had one guy write us a full one page letter handwritten that basically he was bragging about the fact that he could actually go out and cut his yard now,” Beavers said.
Temperatures this summer have been hotter than usual, a trend we have come to expect with climate change as records are continually surpassed. While many of us can ride out extreme heat in the comfort of air conditioned interior spaces, outdoor workers don't have that option and must contend with the risks of serious injury which can be acute and long lasting. A fast growing market for wearable cooling products, both in high tech and low tech varieties, is attempting to meet the challenge. Among those products is the CülCan, made by the Tennessee based small business Black Ice. “If you can pull heat away from your hand, it'll cool your whole body down. And so that's what we've done with the CülCan. It's basically a five inch cylinder that contains our special coolant,” said Mike Beavers, co-founder of Black Ice. A key selling point of the product, according to Beavers, is that the coolant inside, which is a chemical composition Beavers designed, doesn't get as cold as ice, so it is easier to use on a person's skin. “You put it in ice water or a freezer… and then you just hold it in the palm of your hand,” he said. “That is now our most popular product. We sell tons of those things.”Beavers said his business has been growing by about 30 percent a year over the last three years, an acceleration from its previous pace. The company has been around for about 20 years. Across the Atlantic, the Swiss company GreenTeg is also reporting growing demand for its continuous body temperature monitors, which are worn with a patch or a strap. The monitors are often employed by athletes who have to perform outdoors, said CEO and founder Wulf Glatz. “So this device can communicate then with your smartphone,” he said, “and it will estimate your core temperature and broadcast that value to that device.”Being able to monitor core temperature can help with prevention. Unlike a simple thermometer which, if put against the skin, would only tell you the temperature on your skin, GreenTeg claims its monitors can measure the temperature inside the body. It is that core temperature that is key to whether someone is developing heat-related illness. Glatz says there's growing interest in his company's technology. They've been approached by organizations representing firefighters, the military, miners and airfield workers. “If there's an airplane landing, you need to unload the baggage. You can't wait for three hours for it to get cooler, but what you can do is to measure the individuals and really have them safe,” he said, “maybe you need to exchange teams in higher frequency, maybe you need to equip them with cooling gear.”Brett Perkison, an environmental and occupational medicine specialist at UTHealth Houston, tested one of GreenTeg's monitors in combination with cooling vests. In a small study, he found the combination approach helpful in limiting heat related illnesses among outdoor laborers. The problem with the personal cooling industry is that not all of the gadgets being sold to the public are proven to work. For example, ones that use fans to cool the body, such as ventilated helmets, are unlikely to do much in humid environments, said Fabiano Amorim of the University of New Mexico, who has studied heat stress on outdoor workers in Brazil and the U.S. “[Helmets with fans] can increase the comfort or let's say your perception to heat, but it's not reducing your temperature,” he said. Not reducing core body temperature on hot days can have serious consequences. The number of heat-related emergency room visits in the summer of 2023 totaled 120,000, according to the CDC. Heat stress can cause someone to get lightheaded and fatigued. More serious symptoms include seizures. Repeat exposure to heat stress can permanently damage people's kidneys, Amorim said. The condition can be fatal. “We have seen people 40, 50 years old, [who are] dying from chronic kidney disease. And, they don't have any factor that's related to the traditional chronic kidney disease. That's hypertension, obesity and diabetes. And, the only history these people have is working under hot environments,” Amorim said. Many people do not develop serious symptoms until it's too late. That means employers must be proactive in employing cooling gadgets and strategies such as rest breaks in shaded areas, access to cool water, and access to bathrooms so workers feel confident in drinking plenty of liquids. But while more tools to avoid heat illness are coming to market, companies are not racing to adopt them. Many do not have adequate heat stress prevention programs at all. “There needs to be an acceptance by the business community, the public community, about the ramifications of heat stress. So I would hope that if we continue, instead of having 20% of businesses having an adequate heat stress prevention program, in 10 years, we'll have 80%,” Perkison said. Adopting cooling gadgets as part of prevention programs faces hurdles. Aside from concerns over efficacy, there is also the problem of measurement. Perkison said it is hard to tell when someone is struggling with heat before symptoms start. “There's not a lab value that we can get to identify when somebody has heat stress,” he said, which means that it is hard for companies to keep track of workers' health and know when to take action, unless they use a digital monitor like the one provided by GreenTeg. Mike Beavers, the Tennessee-based inventor of the CülCan, said he has been surprised by the diversity of his client base, including the many people with multiple sclerosis who are using it. The disease of the central nervous system causes symptoms such as numbness and trouble walking which, for some, can worsen in heat. “We had one guy write us a full one page letter handwritten that basically he was bragging about the fact that he could actually go out and cut his yard now,” Beavers said.
Why does Robert F. Kennedy Jr. believe the CDC buried evidence linking vaccines toautism—and why do scientists call his claims 'dangerous misinformation'? Fromdisputed studies to heartbroken parents, we unpack the most polarizing debate inmodern medicine. Could there be a middle ground between vaccine mandates andvaccine skepticism? Tune in for a fact-based investigation that doesn't shy away fromtough questions.Dr. Bob Martin and Dr. Adam Brockman answer listeners' health questions
If you're struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit https://betterhelp.com/almanac for a discount on your first month of therapy.If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterhelp_concerns_headon_deep/ Hello my dear poison friends! We are overdue for a talk on current affairs in America with RFK Jr. (Robert F. Kennedy, Jr) as the nation's Secretary of Health and Human Services. We have discussed the creation of the FDA and history of toxins in foods, beverages, and medications prior to such in our episode on the Poison Squad. Now, the FDA, CDC, NIH, and some other organizations important for the structure and future of healthcare are under the direction of a man who has repeatedly lied and spouted misinformation about vaccines, cancer, Covid, AIDS, various medications, and the like. He has promoted some dangerous conspiracy theories and has no education or experience in healthcare whatsoever. In this first part, we are looking into his background a bit and getting into some of the changes already under way under his leadership. We also need to cover some of the conspiracy theories, because he will act on what he believes and it gets pretty crazy. I wanted this to be a one episode subject, but there is just so much to talk about. Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi."Support us on Patreon:patreon.com/thepoisonersalmanacMerch-https://poisonersalmanac.com/Follow us on socials:The Poisoner's Almanac on IG-https://www.instagram.com/poisoners_almanac?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==YouTube-https://youtube.com/@thepoisonersalmanac-m5q?si=16JV_ZKhpGaLyM73Also, look for the Poisoner's Almanac TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@poisonersalmanacp?_t=ZT-8wdYQyXhKbm&_r=1Adam-https://www.tiktok.com/@studiesshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcBecca-https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
In this episode of Quah (Q & A), Sal, Adam & Justin coach four Pump Heads via Zoom. Mind Pump Fit Tip: Top 9 Exercises for Each Body Part Based on EMG Research. (1:49) Addressing price concerns of the face serum from Caldera. (26:20) When Elmo gets hacked! (28:07) It's getting wild out there on social media. (29:54) Shout out to the John Delony Show. (32:23) Horrific surrogate situation. (37:03) How inactive are we that our brains are atrophying? (43:42) Prediabetes in teens. (45:23) ‘Feral Summer' trend. (48:33) Green juice to reduce inflammation. (57:04) #ListenerLive question #1 – Any advice for losing weight without taking phentermine? (59:29) #ListenerLive question #2 – From your perspective of high school programming, how do you think I should move forward with a very morbidly obese student? (1:10:52) #ListenerLive question #3 – What program would be the best to optimize my benefits with my new hormone protocol? (1:28:03) #ListenerLive question #4 – How do you approach, A. Recognizing the challenges in a situation where you need some help? B. Identifying the best resource and getting over the hurdle of asking people for help. (1:39:45) Related Links/Products Mentioned Ask a question to Mind Pump, live! Email: live@mindpumpmedia.com Visit Caldera Lab for an exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! **Code MINDPUMP20 for 20% off your first order of their best products. ** Visit Organifi for the exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! ** 7/23 - 7/25: Christmas in July - 1,000 free Green Juice travel packs + extra 15% off and free shipping with any 3 products. Free Shilajit with any 5 products! Promo code MINDPUMP at checkout for 20% off. ** July Special: MAPS Split or Anabolic Metabolism Bundle 50% off! ** Code JULY50 at checkout ** The 12 Best EMG Backed Exercises For Every Muscle Group Mind Pump # 2517: Hip Thrusts vs Squats… Which Builds a Rounder Butt? Antisemitic posts appear on Elmo's X account after hack - CNN The Dr. John Delony Show - YouTube 21 children - all with surrogate mothers - taken from couple amid investigation Just 4,000 steps a day can lead to better brain health 1 in 3 teens have prediabetes, new CDC data shows - ABC News 'Feral summer' urges parents to let kids be kids Supplementation with a juice powder concentrate and exercise decrease oxidation and inflammation, and improve the microcirculation in obese women: randomised controlled trial data Visit Transcend for this month's exclusive Mind Pump offer! ** From now through the end of the month, all medications are 30% off—no exclusions. Telehealth Provider • Physician Directed GET YOUR PERSONALIZED TREATMENT PLAN! Hormone Replacement Therapy, Cognitive Function, Sleep & Fatigue, Athletic Performance and MORE! ** Mind Pump #2560: How to Break Free from Destructive Body Image Issues Mind Pump Podcast – YouTube Mind Pump Free Resources People Mentioned Layne Norton, Ph.D. (@biolayne) Instagram Dr. John Delony (@johndelony) Instagram Corinne Schmiedhauser (@mindpumpcorinne) Instagram
Es dauert Anfang Jahr nur Tage bis klar ist: Die Trump-Regierung 2.0 macht Ernst und streicht massiv Gelder für Forschung und Wissenschaft. Wie tief greift diese Krise? Und was führt wieder raus? Die Trump-Regierung 2.0 macht Ernst mit ihrer Ankündigung, massiv Gelder für Forschung zu streichen und Organisationen und Institutionen radikal umzubauen, zu verkleinern oder ganz zu streichen. Betroffen sind unter anderem die amerikanische Seuchenbehörde CDC, das Nationale Institut für Gesundheitsforschung NIH, die Zulassungsbehörde FDA, die Wetterbehörde NOAA, die Raumfahrtorganisation NASA – überall drohen harte Kürzungen und strukturelle Eingriffe. Auch renommierte Universitäten wie Harvard und Columbia geraten öffentlichkeitswirksam ins Visier – ebenso, wenn auch weniger beachtet, viele kleinere Hochschulen, die mit neuen Vorschriften und gekürzten Mitteln zu kämpfen haben. Wie tief greift diese Krise, die gerade erst ein paar Monate dauert? Wir fragen nach – bei einem mRNA-Forscher, der nun Ziel für Attacken ist, bei lokalen Gesundheitsbehörden in Texas, die einen Masernausbruch durchleben, und bei einem Historiker, der sagt: «Das hatten wir doch alles schonmal.» Folge 4/7 der letzten Sommerserie des SRF Wissenschaftsmagazins. Zu Wort kommen: Jeff Coller, mRNA-Forscher an der Johns Hopkins Universität in Baltimore Holden Thorp, Chefredakteur von "Science" Mike Osterholm, Epidemiologe an der Universität von Minnesota Zach Holbrooks, Chef der lokalen Gesundheitsbehörde, Gaines County, Texas Clay Risen, New York Times Journalist und Historiker Links Jeff Coller collerlab.org Allianz für mRNA-Medizin mrnamedicines.org Holden Thorp science.org/content/author/h-holden-thorp Mike Osterholm cidrap.umn.edu/michael-t-osterholm-phd-mph Zach Holbrooks levellandtexas.org/DocumentCenter/View/2502/1-HEALTH-Levelland-Profile Buch The Red Scare von Clay Risen simonandschuster.com/books/Red-Scare/Clay-Risen/9781982141806
Rome prepares to welcome more than half a million young pilgrims for the Jubilee of Youth. Meanwhile, Rome is also set to host the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers. And, new CDC data shows the U.S. fertility rate has dropped to an all-time low.
Episode 199: Essential Screenings for Young AdultsDr. Lopez presents the most important screening tests for young adults. Dr. Arreaza adds some input on screening for depression and anxiety. Written by Alejandra Lopez, MD. Edits by Hector Arreaza, MD. Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program. You are listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California, a UCLA-affiliated program sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home. This podcast was created for educational purposes only. Visit your primary care provider for additional medical advice.Dr. Lopez: Screening is testing done to help identify disease in a person or population that typically appears healthy. Our goal as clinicians is to see which children are at increased risk of disease and will merit additional testing. For clinicians, testing should be both easy to perform and interpret. Now let's talk about prevention in young adults.Dr. Arreaza: I can see it is important to talk about young adults because that population may be very hesitant to go to the doctor, in general. Tell us more about it.Dr. Lopez: We all know that early detection and prevention are key, but many young adults skip routine check-ups. Why is that? Sometimes it's lack of awareness, fear, or just not knowing where to start. That's why today, we'll focus on four key screenings that every adolescent and young adult should know about.The Annual Physical ExamDr. Arreaza: I'm excited to talk about it. Many young adults only see a doctor when they're sick, but screenings help catch issues early, sometimes before symptoms even appear. Tell us about the annual wellness exams and why they matter.Dr. Lopez: Let's start with the basics—annual wellness exams. Many young people don't feel the need to see a doctor if they're feeling fine. So, these check-ups are important because many serious health conditions start silently, meaning no symptoms at first. Dr. Arreaza: What do we look for in an annual exam?Dr. Lopez: An annual check-up:· It is important to track growth and development (especially important for adolescents)It also helps monitor blood pressure, weight, and BMI to help find out who is at risk for elevated or low BP, underweight or overweight/obesity, by analyzing both weight and body mass index.· Discuss lifestyle habits like diet, exercise, and sleep· Evaluate whether you are up to date on vaccinations or due for age-appropriate vaccines.· Address any mental health concernsIt's also a great opportunity for young people to establish a relationship with a provider they trust. This makes it easier to discuss sensitive topics like sexual health or mental health.Dr. Arreaza: So, you say that the annual physical exam helps identify all these issues early, and at the same time, you establish a relationship of trust with a doctor who you may need at any time. STI ScreeningDr. Arreaza: That brings us to our second key screening: testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are many STIs. Let's focus on gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. Dr. Lopez, can you breakit down for us? Who needs STI screening, and why is it so important?Dr. Lopez: Absolutely. The CDC recommends that ALL sexually active women under age 25 get screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea annually. HIV testing should also be done at least once for all young adults and annually for those at higher risk. Why is this the case? Because Many STIs have no symptoms, but untreated infections can lead to serious complications like infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. The good news is that these infections are easily treatable if caught early. If caught later in life, then women and men alike are at risk for worse conditions. Dr. Arreaza: Let's talk about how do we do it?Dr. Lopez: STI screening is simple:· For chlamydia and gonorrhea, it's usually a urine test or a vaginal/cervical/oral swab.· For HIV, it's a quick blood test or even an oral swab.Many young adults avoid testing because of fear, stigma, or concerns about privacy, but most clinics offer confidential or even anonymous testing. Doctors do not share any information regarding the minor or young adult or any patient for that matter. AND if we are requested to share any information with others- then it is our obligation as doctors to ALWAYS ASK THE PATIENT before sharing ANY health information with third parties/other entitiesDr. Arreaza: And that includes parents of minors. Doctors are not allowed to discuss STI test results with parents of minors unless they are authorized by the patient or if the patient is in danger, for example, if this is a result of sexual abuse.Mental Health ScreeningsDr. Arreaza: Now, let's talk about something that's just as important as physical health—mental health. Depression and anxiety are very common in young people, but many don't seek help. How do doctors screen for depression?Dr. Lopez: Screening for depression is now a standard part of primary care. The most commonly used tool is the PHQ-9 questionnaire, which asks about:· Mood changes (sadness, hopelessness)· Loss of interest in activities· Sleep disturbances· Changes in appetite· Difficulty concentratingA score on this test can help determine whether someone is at risk of depression and needs further evaluation or support.Dr. Arreaza: And why should we screen for depression?Dr. Lopez: Because early treatment makes a huge difference. Depression can affect school, work, relationships, and even physical health. But with therapy, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication, people can and do recover.I always tell young adults: Mental health is just as important as physical health. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.Dr. Arreaza: This is a USPSTF recommendation GRADE B. We are encouraged to screen adults, including pregnant and postpartum women, as well as older adults.HPV Screening & VaccinationDr. Lopez: Dr. Arreaza, finally, let's talk about HPV—one of the most preventable causes of cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI worldwide, and it's responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer, as well as throat, anal, and penile cancers. The good news? The HPV vaccine is over 90% effective at preventing these cancers. Dr. Arreaza: In fact, from 2015 to 2018, U.S. women ages 14 to 19 experienced an 88% decrease in HPV-related disease. That's a direct result of the vaccine's effectiveness.Dr. Lopez: It's recommended for:· All boys and girls, starting at the age of 9. ACIP gave new recommendations for use of a 2-dose schedule for girls and boys who initiate the vaccination series at ages 9-14 years. Three doses remain recommended for persons who start HPV vaccination at ages 15-26 years and for immunocompromised persons.· Catch-up vaccination is recommended for people up to age 26 (and in some cases, up to 45 with provider recommendation)Dr. Arreaza: And what about screening for HPV? How do we screen?Dr. Lopez: Great question, Dr. Arreaza. Pap smears start at age 21, for all women regardless of sexual activity, and are repeated every 3-5 years depending on HPV testing. Many people think Pap smears check for STIs, but they actually look for abnormal cervical cells that could lead to cancer. HPV vaccination plus routine screening means cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers today!Closing Thoughts & Call to ActionDr. Arreaza: That wraps up today's discussion on essential health screenings for young adults! Dr. Lopez, any final take-home messages?Guest: My biggest message is don't wait until something is wrong to see a doctor. Preventative care is simple, quick, and can save lives.If you're between the ages of 13-26, here's what you should do:-Get an annual wellness exam-Get tested for STIs if sexually active-Check in on your mental health and talk to someone if you need support-Get the HPV vaccine if you haven't already and follow up on screeningTaking these small steps today leads to better health for years to come!Host: That's fantastic! Dr. Lopez. I hope all our primary care providers can take these easy steps to keep our young community healthy. If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend, and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more practical health discussions.Dr. Lopez: Until next time—thanks for chiming in, medical community. Take care and take charge of your health!Even without trying, every night you go to bed a little wiser. Thanks for listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast. We want to hear from you, send us an email at RioBravoqWeek@clinicasierravista.org, or visit our website riobravofmrp.org/qweek. See you next week! _____________________References:Screening Recommendations and Considerations Referenced in Treatment Guidelines and Original Sources. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov, https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/screening-recommendations.htm, accessed on June 26, 2025.Recommendation: Anxiety Disorders in Adults: Screening, United States Preventive Services Taskforce, June 20, 2023, https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/anxiety-adults-screening, accessed on June 26, 2025.Recommendation: Depression and Suicide Risk in Adults: Screening, United States Preventive Services Taskforce, June 20, 2023, https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/screening-depression-suicide-risk-adults, accessed on June 26, 2025.Theme song, Works All The Time by Dominik Schwarzer, YouTube ID: CUBDNERZU8HXUHBS, purchased from https://www.premiumbeat.com/.
In this week's Ask Me Anything, Dr. Will Cole answers your most thought-provoking wellness questions - from what nighttime “electric shocks” might mean to the tools he recommends most for emotional healing. He also breaks down a new study comparing a low-fat vegan diet to the Mediterranean diet, discusses the CDC's latest statements about thimerosal in vaccines, and shares more thoughts on the Medical Medium and how to navigate wellness trends with an open but grounded mindset. For all links mentioned in this episode, visit www.drwillcole.com/podcastPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Sponsors: Head to drinkag1.com/willcole to get $100 of free gifts including 5 free travel packs, a free shaker bottle, The Freaks of Nature Sun Stick and more with your first subscription order - for a limited time while supplies last. Offer valid for new subscribers only.Go to Quince.com/willcole for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five-day returns.Get 20% off, or if you choose the already discounted subscription, you get almost a third off the price! Go now to get this amazing discount: PUORI.com/WILLCOLE.Strong Cell comes in a daily 2 oz drink, and I challenge you to take it for 30 days and see how you feel. Go to strongcell.com/will today to get started. Friends of the show get 20% off.Subscribe to Nan's email list at nansfoods.com for first access to new launches, exclusive discounts, and wholesome kitchen inspiration delivered straight to your inbox. It's a simple way to bring a little more ease—and a lot more flavor—to your everyday life. And because you're part of this podcast community, you can save 10% on your first order with the code willcole at checkout. Just head to nansfoods.com and use code willcole for 10% off. Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
“As parents dedicated to getting a treatment for our children in their lifetimes, we have turned the rare disease drug development landscape upside down and created a new model,” says Nicole Johnson, co-founder and executive director of the FOXG1 Research Foundation. That's not an exaggeration, as the foundation is on track to make history as it begins patient clinical trials on a gene replacement therapy next year. The former TV news producer and media executive unexpectedly entered the world of patient advocacy and drug research after her daughter, Josie, was born with FOXG1, a genetic disorder which causes severe seizures and impedes normal movement, speech, and sleep among other problems. Johnson is also making an impact in another important dimension of the rare disease space in her efforts to educate parents, teachers, and students about disability inclusion through her Joyfully Josie book series and “Live Joyfully” education programs. Tune-in to this fascinating Year of the Zebra conversation with host Lindsey Smith to find out how the foundation is aiming to bring a drug to market in less than half the time and at a fraction of the cost than the industry standard, and how this model might impact research on other rare disorders. Mentioned in this episode:FOXG1 Research FoundationJoyfully Josie Book If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
Based on the book by Dr. Leonard Sax “Boys Adrift”, this episode explores Dr. Leonard Sax's research on the crisis facing young men—and what parents can do to turn the tide.--The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Based on the book “Boys Adrift” by Dr. Leonard Sax Dr. Leonard Sax, a family physician and psychologist, has spent decades researching a troubling cultural trend: boys in America are becoming increasingly apathetic, while girls continue to thrive. College enrollment numbers are down, motivation is plummeting, and a growing number of boys seem to be disengaging from real life. What's going on?A Look at the NumbersCollege statistics reflect the shift. In 2023, men made up only 42% of students aged 18–24 in four-year colleges, down from 47% in 2011. Women were 9 percentage points more likely to be enrolled in college than men in 2022. And when boys do go to college, they are less likely than girls to graduate.Brain Development and Early EducationBrain development plays a role, too. Girls' brains mature faster than boys', especially in areas related to sensory integration and self-regulation. This biological reality clashes with today's academic environment, where even kindergarten demands early reading and writing skills—before many boys are ready.5 Key Factors Behind the CrisisAccording to Dr. Sax, several powerful cultural shifts over the last 40 years are affecting boys in ways that parents and educators can no longer ignore. Dr. Sax identifies five key factors that are contributing to this downward spiral:1. Early Education Isn't Built for BoysKindergarten used to be a place for creativity and play. Now, it focuses on reading, writing, and sitting still for long periods—an environment where many boys struggle. Instead of adapting the system, society too often labels boys with ADHD. The CDC reports that over 11% of children aged 5–17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, often as a result of mismatched expectations rather than true disorder.2. Video Games Offer an Addictive EscapeMany boys say school is boring and can't wait to get home to their video games. These games offer fast-paced stimulation and constant action—but research shows they also increase risky behavior, diminish empathy, and disconnect boys from real-life goals.3. Overuse of ADHD MedicationsStimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin can alter motivation and personality by impacting brain receptors. Dr. Sax recommends non-stimulant alternatives like Strattera or Wellbutrin, warning that reliance on the wrong medications may do more harm than good.4. Chemical Hormone DisruptionModern plastics and water contaminants act as endocrine disruptors, mimicking estrogen in the body. This not only affects puberty and hormone development in boys but may also contribute to rising ADHD rates and declining motivation.5. Lack of Strong Role ModelsFrom sitcoms to social media, positive portrayals of fatherhood and masculinity have disappeared. Instead...
The President of the Philippines was at the White House on Tuesday visiting President Trump, discussing the issue of China and their ambitions to expand. U.S. lawmakers have asked the Defense Department to study building a joint munitions hub in the Philippines, as China continues to menace other nations crossing through the South China Sea. When it comes to American military spending, we are on track to allocate more than $920 billion in the next fiscal year, and it appears there's bipartisan support to fully fund this Pacific Deterrence Initiative. Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott sits on the Armed Services and Homeland Security Committee, and he joined the Rundown to discuss the long-term threats posed by both China and Iran. The CDC reports an estimated 48,422 deaths from synthetic opioids, mostly fentanyl, in 2024. With a dangerous amount of the drug supply now laced with this deadly substance, overdose deaths are surging, especially among young people. President Trump recently signed the Halt Fentanyl Act, expanding law enforcement's ability to crack down on traffickers. Gregory Swan, who lost his son Drew to a fentanyl overdose in 2013, co-founded Fentanyl Fathers to raise awareness and prevent more families from suffering the same loss. He joins the Rundown to discuss his mission: educating students, empowering parents, and mobilizing a movement to fight the fentanyl crisis. Plus, commentary from FOX News Digital columnist David Marcus. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The President of the Philippines was at the White House on Tuesday visiting President Trump, discussing the issue of China and their ambitions to expand. U.S. lawmakers have asked the Defense Department to study building a joint munitions hub in the Philippines, as China continues to menace other nations crossing through the South China Sea. When it comes to American military spending, we are on track to allocate more than $920 billion in the next fiscal year, and it appears there's bipartisan support to fully fund this Pacific Deterrence Initiative. Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott sits on the Armed Services and Homeland Security Committee, and he joined the Rundown to discuss the long-term threats posed by both China and Iran. The CDC reports an estimated 48,422 deaths from synthetic opioids, mostly fentanyl, in 2024. With a dangerous amount of the drug supply now laced with this deadly substance, overdose deaths are surging, especially among young people. President Trump recently signed the Halt Fentanyl Act, expanding law enforcement's ability to crack down on traffickers. Gregory Swan, who lost his son Drew to a fentanyl overdose in 2013, co-founded Fentanyl Fathers to raise awareness and prevent more families from suffering the same loss. He joins the Rundown to discuss his mission: educating students, empowering parents, and mobilizing a movement to fight the fentanyl crisis. Plus, commentary from FOX News Digital columnist David Marcus. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Native Americans in the Revolutionary War. THE INTERVIEW Former Navy Lt. Cmdr. Natalie Schibell found success in the military but struggled to find work in the civilian sector. She rallied and rebounded to become vice president of Market Strategy at Aetion and create Mission to Commission, a nonprofit dedicated to helping military veterans navigate career transitions. The former American Ninja Warrior contestant shares tips for veterans and servicemembers looking for civilian jobs SCUTTLEBUTT Air Force installing Lumena MindGyms to facilitate relaxation for stressed-out troops Task & Purpose asked for the dumbest moments in uniform - and the responses did not disappoint Army Aviators who helped kick off the air campaign of Operation Desert Storm in January 1991 awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses Special Guest: Natalie Schibell.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration scrubbed CDC guidance on birth control from government websites and froze $65 million in funding to family planning clinics that provide free or low-cost contraception. The moves are seen as part of an effort to curtail reproductive rights. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports for our series, The Next Frontier. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
About this episode: In early July, the CDC deactivated the United States' H5N1 emergency response, citing lowered rates of infection among animals and humans. But fewer cases might not indicate an end to the years-long emergency. In this episode: Dr. Erin Sorrell of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security details the timeline of the virus, its impacts on American farmers, and how to prepare for the return of migratory birds later this year. Guest: Dr. Erin Sorrell, PhD, MSc, is an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Department of Environmental Health and Engineering and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs. Show links and related content: As bird flu evolves, keeping it out of farm flocks is getting harder—ScienceNews RFK's proposal to let bird flu spread through poultry could set us up for a pandemic, experts warn—Live Science Bird Flu Is Escalating—Public Health On Call (January 2025) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @PublicHealthPod on Bluesky @JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Nurses Out Loud – We examine the case of Dr. Kirk Moore, the Utah surgeon accused of swapping COVID vaccines for saline and issuing false CDC cards. Is he a hero, a fraud, or a coward? This episode challenges the ethics of medical resistance, explores the divide in our movement, and asks if truth and courage still matter most...
A new CBS News poll shows overwhelming bipartisan support for full transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein case. The survey finds 89% of Americans believe the Justice Department should release all documents, as President Trump faces backlash and files a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over a report linking him to Epstein. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook joins "CBS Mornings" to talk about the CDC's latest alert showing a rise in COVID cases nationwide and the highest rate of ER visits for young kids since March. With chants of "Pay us what you owe us" echoing through the arena, WNBA players used the league's biggest weekend to push for a new contract.Paul de Gelder, who lost his hand and leg in a 2009 shark attack, joins "CBS Mornings" to talk about his new Discovery Channel special, "How to Survive a Shark Attack," where he deliberately tries to provoke sharks to teach others how to survive. David Begnaud shares the stories of Brian Flynn, who made two living organ donations to save strangers and Rachel Bee, a teen who turned her Crohn's diagnosis into a hoodie designed to comfort fellow patients. Tony and Grammy winner Billy Porter joins "CBS Mornings" to talk about stepping into the role of the Emcee in Cabaret, a dream three decades in the making. Porter previously starred in the production's London run. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nurses Out Loud – We examine the case of Dr. Kirk Moore, the Utah surgeon accused of swapping COVID vaccines for saline and issuing false CDC cards. Is he a hero, a fraud, or a coward? This episode challenges the ethics of medical resistance, explores the divide in our movement, and asks if truth and courage still matter most...
Earlier this year, the Trump administration scrubbed CDC guidance on birth control from government websites and froze $65 million in funding to family planning clinics that provide free or low-cost contraception. The moves are seen as part of an effort to curtail reproductive rights. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports for our series, The Next Frontier. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello have a morning chat about the measles epidemic and H5N1 in cows before Dr. Griffin discusses how vaccination associates with reduced dementia risk before deep diving into recent statistics on measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, a potential new influenza antiviral drug, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 variant should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, immunization recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, where to find PEMGARDA, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center's long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, associaton of remesdivir administration and long-term sequelae and contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedical research. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Wastewater for measles (WasterWater Scan) Measles cases and outbreaks (CDC Rubeola) Weekly measles and rubella monitoring (Government of Canada) Measles (WHO) Get the FACTS about measles (NY State Department of Health) Measles (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Measles vaccine (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Presumptive evidence of measles immunity (CDC) Contraindications and precautions to measles vaccination (CDC) Measles (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Adverse events associated with childhood vaccines: evidence bearing on causality (NLM) Measles Vaccination: Know the Facts (ISDA: Infectious Diseases Society of America) Deaths following vaccination: what does the evidence show (Vaccine) Measles vaccine recommendations from NYP (jpg) The impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus infection on dairy cows (Nature) Avian flu exacts heavy financial toll on dairy industry, report says(CIDRAP) Inherited IFNAR1 deficiency in otherwise healthy patients with adverse reaction to measles and yellow fever live vaccines (Journal of Experimental Medicine) Influenza: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Respiratory virus activity levels (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Weekly surveillance report: clift notes (CDC FluView) FDA-CDC-DOD: 2025-2046 influenza vaccine composition (FDA) RSV: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) ENFLONSIA: novel drug approvals 2025 (FDA) RSV-Network (CDC Respiratory Syncytial virus Infection) Systematic review and expert consensus on the use of long-acting monoclonal antibodies for prevention of respiratory syncytial virus disease: ARMADA (Advancing RSV Management And Disease Awareness) Taskforce (OFID) Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) COVID cases likely rising in half of states, CDC estimates(CBS News) Estimated COVID-19 Periodicity and Correlation with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein S1 Antigenic Diversity, United States (Emerging Infectious Diseases) Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel (CDC: Respiratory Illnesses) COVID-19 national and regional trends (CDC) COVID-19 variant tracker (CDC) Estimated COVID-19 Periodicity and Correlation with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein S1 Antigenic Diversity, United States (Emerging Infectious Diseases) SARS-CoV-2 genomes galore (Nextstrain) Antigenic and Virological Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.3.2, XFG, and NB.1.8.1 (biRxiV) This CDC Resignation Should Scare You (Substack: Beyond the Noise) ACIP: COVID-19–Associated Hospitalizations — COVID-NET, April 2025 Update (CDC: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases)) Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda) EUA for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 (INVIYD) Infusion center (Prime Fusions) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Drug treatments for mild or moderate covid-19: systematic review and network meta-analysis (BMJ) Drug interaction checker (University of Liverpool) Paxlovid (Pfizer) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (ID Society) Extended nirmatrelvir–ritonavir treatment durations for immunocompromised patients with COVID-19 (EPIC-IC) (LANCET: Infectious Diseases) Molnupiravir safety and efficacy (JMV) Convalescent plasma recommendation for immunocompromised (ID Society) What to do when sick with a respiratory virus (CDC) Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC) Steroids, dexamethasone at the right time (OFID) Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org) Daniel Griffin's evidence based medical practices for long COVID (OFID) Long COVID hotline (Columbia : Columbia University Irving Medical Center) The answers: Long COVID Invivyd and Leading Researchers Form SPEAR (Spike Protein Elimination and Recovery) Study Group to Assess the Effects of Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for Long COVID and COVID-19 Post-Vaccination Syndrome (INVIVYD) Reaching out to US house representative Letters read on TWiV 1236 Dr. Griffin's COVID treatment summary (pdf) Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your questions for Dr. Griffin to daniel@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.
Dr. Charles LeBaron is a retired CDC scientist and the author of Greed to Do Good: The Untold Story of CDC's Disastrous War on Opioids. He talks with Steve about the ill-considered response to the opioid crisis and the tragic and preventable consequences of the CDC's 2016 guidelines. Restricting prescriptions without providing treatment (whether for pain relief or addiction) drove users to illicit opioids like fentanyl and a surge in overdose deaths.The conversation expands to systemic issues, including the corporate greed of Big Pharma, political exploitation of the crisis, and the punitive rather than rehabilitative approach to addiction. Steve and Charles highlight how austerity policies and privatization exacerbate the epidemic, disproportionately harming working class and marginalized communities. They criticize current political responses, such as RFK Jr.'s proposed cuts to addiction treatment programs in favor of ineffective "healing farms," as emblematic of a broader failure to address root causes. Both emphasize the need for compassionate, science-driven solutions over criminalization, underscoring how public health and social equity are inextricably linked. For more than twenty-eight years, Charles LeBaron worked as a medical epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While there, he was the author of more than fifty scientific studies published in peer-reviewed journals, including first- or senior- author papers in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Aileen Benavente-Pangelinan, Environmental Health Program Manager at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, describes how the new food code adopted by the Northern Mariana Islands will improve public health safety; Jessica Hulsey, Founder and CEO of the Addiction Policy Forum, explains how new CDC provisional overdose data indicates that public health measures are working, and how to sustain success; ASTHO is kicking off its Public Health Nursing Learning Lab Series next Wednesday, July 23rd; and ASTHO's PHIG National Partners Connections newsletter keeps members up to date on all Public Health Infrastructure Grant news. CNMI Law: Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation Food Code CDC: Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab ASTHO Subscribe: PHIG Connections Newsletter
About this episode: The recent dismissal of all members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has stirred questions about vaccine safety and immunization protocols. In this episode: Dr. Grace Lee—a former ACIP chair—shares insights on the committee's crucial role in recommending vaccines uses, the importance of transparent decision-making, and dangers of abandoning strong processes. Guest: Dr. Grace Lee, MPH, is the Chief Quality Officer and the Christopher G. Dawes Endowed Director of Quality at Stanford Medicine Children's Health and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, and Associate Dean for Maternal and Child Health (Quality and Safety) and Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine. She previously served as the Chair of ACIP. Host: Dr. Josh Sharfstein is vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a faculty member in health policy, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. Show links and related content: Former chairs of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on the panel's role—STAT Who Decides Which Vaccines Americans Should Get and When?—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @PublicHealthPod on Bluesky @JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Note: We are back from parental leave! This episode was originally released June 2nd for Death Panel patrons and is being unlocked today for the first time. To support the show and help make episodes like this one possible, become a patron at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod Beatrice speaks with Jane Thomason of National Nurses United (NNU) about the Trump administration's disbanding of the CDC's HICPAC committee, the body that oversees infection control practices across the healthcare industry — and a committee that Jane was briefly involved with as part of an advisory workgroup since last summer. We also discuss the Trump administration's staggering cuts across NIOSH, a key agency for workplace health and safety protections, and their significance within the broader “MAHA” agenda. Find NNU's call to action letter about NIOSH here: https://nnu.org/saveniosh Jane Thomason is NNU's lead industrial hygienist. She was last on the show in March 2024 and August 2023 to speak about a campaign against proposed infection control cuts being considered by HICPAC, after which she was added to a HICPAC workgroup that May. Jane returns today now that, with HICPAC disbanded, she's once again able to speak more openly about committee deliberations. Find our book Health Communism here: www.versobooks.com/books/4081-health-communism Find Jules' latest book, A Short History of Trans Misogyny, here: https://www.versobooks.com/products/3054-a-short-history-of-trans-misogyny Find Tracy's book, Abolish Rent, here: www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2443-abolish-rent Find Phil's new book, Counting Like a State, here: kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700639687/ Death Panel merch here (patrons get a discount code): www.deathpanel.net/merch As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod
President Trump lashes out at his “past supporters” as both Democratic and Republican lawmakers join his MAGA base in its demand for the release of the Jeffery Epstein files. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) explains how Republicans will sell the president's domestic policy legislation. Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) addresses her confrontation with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his decision to replace all the members of the CDC's vaccine advisory panel.
America Out Loud PULSE with Dr. Vaughn & Dr. Tankersley – FDA approves Moderna's latest vaccine for children as young as 6 months, but will the CDC and ACIP finally act responsibly? I also expose Moderna's ongoing push for mRNA flu shots, preview Dr. Peter McCullough's upcoming book on vaccine safety, and interview Sen. Larry Stutts about recent legislation revealing the true impact of ObamaCare...
For decades, residents of the small city of Newburgh, New York, were unknowingly drinking water contaminated with toxic PFAS—also known as forever chemicals. The source turned out to be firefighting foam used on a nearby air base that had seeped into streams and creeks, and ultimately the city's main drinking water reservoir.Now, Newburgh is one of 10 sites that are part of a CDC-led study investigating the health effects of PFAS exposure. Early data out of Newburgh links PFAS with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Host Flora Lichtman discusses the research with environmental epidemiologist Erin Bell and reporter Shantal Riley.Read our full story about what PFAS contamination has meant for Newburgh in English and in Spanish.Guests: Shantal Riley is an award-winning journalist and science writer, focused on environmental health.Dr. Erin Bell is an environmental epidemiologist at the University at Albany in New York.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.
In just a few short months on the job, Health And Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has managed to upend the American public health system, successfully inserting his decades of vaccine skepticism into national policy. Late last month, he fired every member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisory panel, replacing them mostly with people who've voiced skepticism about vaccines. In May, he announced the CDC would stop recommending COVID vaccines for pregnant people and babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other health groups are now suing him and HHS over the latter decision. Dr. Fiona Havers, a former senior advisor on vaccine policy at the CDC, resigned from the agency over Kennedy's changes to federal vaccine policy. She joins us to talk about what everyday people should do to keep themselves and their family safe.And in headlines: President Donald Trump abruptly reversed course on sending defense weapons to Ukraine, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins doubles down on “no amnesty” for undocumented farmworkers, and someone out there is using AI to impersonate Secretary of State/National Security Advisor/Acting Archivist Marco Rubio. Show Notes:Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday