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Dr. Lucky Tran Profile picture
Dr. Lucky Tran
@luckytran
Science comms, public health, climate justice. @WHO Fides member, @grist Fixer, Creative Change alum. Opinions my own & don’t reflect my employer.
15 subscribers
Aug 29 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
COVID vaccine update: Pharmacies in some states won't give you a shot unless you have a prescription.

CVS: CO, FL, GA, KY, LA , ME, NY, NC, PA, UT, VA, WV, DC

Walgreens: AZ, CO, GA, IN, LA, MO, MT, NM, NY, OR, SC, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI

CVS is not yet offering shots in MA, NV, MN The issue is that the CDC's immunization committee has not yet recommended the shots. Though the FDA label includes a broad list of conditions that will allow you to self-attest, pharmacies are worried that the CDC could restrict this further, so are waiting to see what happens.
Aug 27 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
It's official: Updated COVID vaccines have been approved by the FDA, but with restrictions.

Moderna: 6 months+ if high risk

Pfizer: 5 years+ if high risk

Novavax: 12 years+ if high risk

Anyone 65 years+ is eligible for updated COVID vaccines regardless of risk status. Common conditions that make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, per CDC:

Cancer
Chronic diseases
Diabetes
Heart conditions
Weakened immune system
Mental health conditions
Overweight and obesity
Physical inactivity
Pregnancy
Smoking
Substance use disorders
Transplant
Aug 19 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
From @dr_kkjetelina: “If you’re under 65 and not high risk, the window to get a Covid-19 vaccine is right now—before the FDA label changes (possibly this Friday). Once it happens, access will be limited immediately.” Note: COVID hasn’t changed that much recently, so while they will be updating the vaccine in fall to match the latest variants, the current “old” vaccine should still provide good protection (and better than no vaccine if access is restricted).
Jun 11 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
NEW: After firing expert scientists on the CDC's vaccine advisory committee, RFK Jr. has named their replacements.

The new committee contains many figures known for spreading disinformation about vaccines and COVID including Robert Malone and Martin Kulldorff.

This is bad. The list includes several well-known critics of vaccines. The eight new members, a significant decline from the 17 that previously served on the panel, include: Dr. Joseph R. Hibbeln, a psychiatrist and nutritional scientist who previously worked on nutritional neuroscience at the NIH; Dr. Martin Kulldorf, an epidemiologist formerly at Harvard Medical School, who has served on an FDA safety committee as well as the vaccine subgroup of ACIP; Retsef Levi, a professor of operations management at the MIT Sloan School of Management; Dr. Robert Malone, a physician who conducted early research ... Robert Malone has suggested COVID-19 vaccines cause a form of AIDS, and runs a wellness institute where he profits from promoting unproven treatments for measles and COVID-19. Malone, who runs a wellness institute and a popular blog, rose to popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as he relayed conspiracy theories around the outbreak and the vaccines that followed. He has appeared on podcasts and other conservative news outlets where he’s promoted unproven and alternative treatments for measles and COVID-19. He has claimed that millions of Americans were hypnotized into taking the COVID-19 shots. He’s even suggested that those vaccines cause a form of AIDS. He’s downplayed deaths related to one of the largest measles outbreaks in the U.S. in years.
May 20 • 10 tweets • 3 min read
Under new leadership — who spread misinformation throughout the pandemic — the FDA announced it will limit Covid vaccines to adults over 65 & those with certain medical conditions.

Covid continues to spread & cause harm. This an anti-science move that will kill more Americans. F.D.A. Poised to Restrict Access to Covid Vaccines Agency leaders said there was evidence to justify approval only for older people and those with medical conditions. Many others may not be able to get the shots. The data tells us that everyone can benefit from getting updated Covid vaccines.

Covid vaccines reduce the risk of becoming sick, developing Long Covid, and becoming hospitalized, for everyone. The data below describe how well vaccines work to reduce your risk. This risk reduction is in addition to protection you may have from previous infections with COVID-19 or from receiving earlier versions of COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines: Reduce your risk for critical illness (admission to intensive care unit or death) For adults ages 18 and older, the 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccines reduced the risk of critical illness from COVID-19 by almost 70% in the first 2 months after vaccination. Protection decreased over time. During the 10 months after vaccination, the vaccines reduced critica...
May 18 • 8 tweets • 3 min read
Good news: The FDA finally approved the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine.

Bad news: There are new restrictions that will create lots of problems for people who want to get the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine. FDA: Under this license, you are authorized to manufacture the product COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted, which is indicated for active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) in adults 65 years and older. Additionally, COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted is indicated for individuals 12 through 64 years who have at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. The new stricter criteria limits Novavax to people:

1. aged 65 and over
2. aged 12 and up who have at least one underlying condition that puts them at higher risk of severe illness

This goes against the science that indicates that everyone can benefit from Covid-19 vaccination.
Feb 23 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
Brilliant protest. Yosemite National Park workers hung an upside-down American flag — traditionally a symbol of distress or a national threat — thousands of feet off the ground on the side of El Capitan. An upside-down American flag hangs from El Capitan near Yosemite National Park’s Horsetail Fall on Saturday to protest the thousands of federal job cuts made by President Donald Trump’s administration. Tracy Barbutes/Special to the Chronicle Also, a fired Yosemite National Park service worker rappelled down El Capitan in protest of the illegal cuts. A Yosemite National Park service worker fired as part of the federal government's workforce reductions rappelled down El Capitan in protest Saturday. Tracy Barbutes/Special to the Chronicle
Feb 8 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
More details on censorship at the CDC from
@Alexander_Tin. TLDR; Trump officials stopped CDC scientists from publishing data on bird flu in the MMWR. Instead, they forced CDC scientists to publish on the health risks of wildfires to bolster Trump's attacks on CA Gov Newsom. Trump officials exerting unprecedented control over CDC scientific journal By Alexander Tin February 7, 2025 / 6:18 PM EST / CBS News "As [the] pause has started to lift, Trump officials at HHS, and acting CDC Director Susan Monarez, refused repeated requests by career health officials to publish the completed [bird flu] research, officials say."
Feb 8 • 10 tweets • 3 min read
The NIH announced it will slash billions of dollars of support to universities and research centers.

This is one of the biggest attacks on science we have ever seen. It could dismantle the biomedical research system, shut down clinical trials, and halt development of treatments. I can't emphasize enough how disastrous the NIH cuts will be. If implemented as proposed, it could decimate universities and college towns. And it could mean every one of us in the US and around the world will experience shorter and less healthy lives.
Jan 23 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
The Trump admin has cancelled the panels that approve NIH grants, & is banning scientists from communicating with the public, attending conferences, & hiring.

NIH is the world’s largest funder of biomedical research. This will halt discovery of lifesaving treatments. Devastating The Trump administration’s NIH freezes do not only affect federal science agencies. NIH grants fund research at universities and many other institutions. Halting NIH grant reviews sabotages important scientific research everywhere.
Jan 22 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
The censorship begins: According to officials, the Trump administration is instructing health agencies including the CDC, FDA, NIH, and HHS to pause all external communications, such as health advisories, weekly scientific reports, updates to websites and social media posts. Asking health agencies to pause all external communications is NOT typical protocol for administration changes. Generally website updates, disease case counts, and other typical day-to-day work continues.
Jan 6 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
BREAKING: The United States has recorded its first fatal case of H5N1 bird flu.

The death was reported by the Louisiana Department of Health. The patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to a combination of a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds.

ldh.la.gov/news/H5N1-deathLDH reports first U.S. H5N1-related human death Current general public health risk remains low January 06, 2025 The Louisiana Department of Health reports the patient who had been hospitalized with the first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, in Louisiana and the U.S. has died. The patient was over the age of 65 and was reported to have underlying medical conditions. The patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to a combination of a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds. LDH’s extensive public health investigation has identified no additional H5N1 cases ... Please note that there still is no evidence of person-to-person transmission, which is why public health departments assess the *current* risk as low to the general public. People who work on poultry or dairy farms are most at risk.
Nov 14, 2024 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
As a scientist who is the director of science communication for the medical center of a major university, my advice is:

Please don't rely on an economist who has spread misinformation about COVID to advise you about how to effectively message on public health. Theres a Better Way to Talk About Fluoride, Vaccines and Raw Milk Nov. 13, 2024 By Emily Oster Emily Oster, an economist and the founder of ParentData.org, is the author of "Expecting Better" and "Cribsheet."
Masking Policy Is Incredibly Irrational Right Now Why must only the youngest children wear face coverings? By Emily Oster Oster's work has been embraced by right-wing think tanks such as the Manhattan Institute and the Cato Institute. Her audience is affluent parents who seek permission to disengage from the social contract and ignore harmful impacts to the working class and people of color.
Nov 5, 2024 • 13 tweets • 5 min read
The current admin has failed to adequately address the ongoing and long-term impacts of COVID. They have been rightfully criticized and should continue to be held accountable.

However, a Trump win will make things worse, resulting in many more deaths and people becoming sicker. Trump will accelerate mask bans, restrict vaccine availability, reduce healthcare access, stop clean air efforts, block Long COVID treatment funding, dismantle health agencies etc.

The outcome of the election will critically impact COVID and public health policy for decades.
Sep 18, 2024 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
New poll finds half of Americans believe they'll never get COVID again.

The data shows that COVID surges at high levels throughout the year. Denial is one hell of a drug. Half now expect to never get COVID again Q: Which of the following statements most applies to you? l expect that I will get COVID-19 at some point in the future, despite trying to stay as safe as possible: 20% l expect that I will get COVID-19 at some point in the future, so I have gone about my life as normally as I could: 31% I do not expect to get COVID-19 at some point in the future: 49% Source: Ipsos Consumer Tracker, fielded September 4 - September 5, 2024 among 1,081 U.S. adults. Source: ipsos.com/en-us/half-ame…
Aug 28, 2024 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
Hearing people being turned away from CVS because they say the bridge program doesn’t cover the updated vaccines. A Washington Post reporter also heard this from the CDC.

Why has the CDC not updated their website to make this clear, and why are there not more stories on this? The CDC’s website still says the bridge access program will end in August 2024.

The CDC should clarify that it doesn’t cover the updated vaccines ASAP.

People shouldn’t only find out at the last moment when they try to get the vaccine.

cdc.gov/vaccines/progr…
What You Need to Know CDC’s Bridge Access Program provides free COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs. This program will end in August 2024. Use these resources to promote the program and expand equitable access for COVID-19 vaccination.
Aug 23, 2024 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
There's lots of misinformation on rapid tests.

Rapid tests still work for new variants because they target an area of the virus that doesn't change much.

Negative tests happen because people don't test multiple times or due to user error. Here's a good article from last year on rapid tests and variants. The same principles still apply. cnn.com/2023/09/18/hea…
Aug 19, 2024 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
The University of California is banning masks in the middle of one of the largest summer COVID surges of the pandemic. Unacceptable.
theguardian.com/us-news/articl… Here's the list of things banned from University of California.

It says "no person shall wear a mask with the intent of
intimidating any person or group, or for the purpose of evading identification."

Unclear if it includes wearing mask for COVID protection or health reasons. • Masking to conceal identity: Policies must clarify that no person shall wear a mask or personal disguise or otherwise conceal their identity with the intent of intimidating any person or group, or for the purpose of evading or escaping discovery, recognition, or identification in the commission of violations of law or policy. • Refusal to reveal identity: Policies must clarify that no person shall refuse to identify themselves while on University property to University officials who are acting in the performance of their duties in situations where assistance or intervention is needed.
Aug 5, 2024 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
It's official: Mask ban in Nassau County, New York passes along party lines, 12-0 (7 abstentions). It makes wearing a mask a misdemeanor (with unclear health and religious exceptions) and gives police the power to fine people wearing a mask $1,000 and sentence them to jail time. Here's the Nassau County mask ban bill language. Health and religious exceptions are noted, but leaves it up to the judgement of the police officer. As written, the ban applies to all public spaces, not just protests. There will be many legal challenges.

nassaucountyny.gov/AgendaCenter/V…

LOCAL LAW NO.. A LOCAL LAW TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF A MASK OR FACIAL COVERING FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONCEALING AN INDIVIDUAL'S IDENTITY IN A PUBLIC PLACE BE IT ENACTED by the County Legislature of the County of Nassau, as follows: §1. Short Title. This law shall be known as the "Mask Transparency Act" and shall appear in the Miscellaneous Laws of Nassau County as Title 90. §2. Legislative Intent. This Legislature finds that masks and facial coverings that are not worn for health and safety concerns or for religious or celebratory purposes are often used as a predicate to harassing, m...
a) No person or persons while wearing any mask or facial covering whereby the face or voice is disguised with the intent to conceal the identity of the wearer. enter, or appear upon or within any sidewalk, walkway, alley, street, road, highway or other public right-of-way or public property or private property without the consent of the owner or tenant. This law shall not apply to facial coverings worn to protect the health or safety of the wearer, for religious or cultural purposes, or for the peaceful celebration of a holiday or similar religious or cultural event for which the wearing of...
Aug 4, 2024 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
Noah Lyles, who just won gold in the 100m sprint at the Paris Olympics suffers from asthma. He takes several precautions including wearing a mask to protect himself from COVID.

KEISHA PUT TOGETHER a care package filled with cleaning supplies, disinfectants, soaps and masks and mailed it to Noah soon after the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. She was living in Maryland, and Noah was training in Florida. She worried about people hoarding supplies from grocery stores. More than that, she worried that Noah's asthma made him especially susceptible to the disease. Noah shared her concern. He stocked up on masks. He rarely left his apartment after his training venue shut down. He used delivery services for food and groceries.
SAINT-DENIS, France -- SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Noah Lyles walks around the Olympic Village in disguise, wearing sunglasses, a hat and even a mask to cut down on some of the attention he receives. On the track, he can't avoid it. Or everyone's best shot.
Noah Lyles holding US flag Sources:





espn.com/olympics/story…
abcnews.go.com/amp/Sports/wir…
si.com/olympics/2020/…
Jul 13, 2024 • 6 tweets • 3 min read
UPDATE: Here's the language of the proposed mask ban bill in Nassau County, NY. It's bad!

While health is mentioned, the ban would apply to public places and some private properties, and gives police power to ask anyone to remove their mask.
A LOCAL LAW TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF A MASK OR FACIAL COVERING FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONCEALING AN INDIVIDUAL'S IDENTITY IN A PUBLIC PLACE BE IT ENACTED by the County Legislature of the County of Nassau, as follows: §1. Short Title. This law shall be known as the " Miscellaneous Laws of Nassau County as Title 91. " and shall appear in the §2. Legislative Intent. This Legislature finds that masks and facial coverings that are not worn for legitimate health and safety concerns or for religious or celebratory purposes are often used as a predicate to harassing, menacing or criminal be...
years of age shall, while wearing any mask or facial covering whereby the face or voice is disguised with the intent to conceal the identity of the wearer, enter, or appear upon or within any sidewalk, walkway, alley, street, road, highway or other public right-of-way or public property or private property without the consent of the owner or tenant. This law shall not apply to facial coverings worn to protect the health or safety of the wearer, for religious or cultural purposes, or for the peaceful celebration of a holiday or similar religious or cultural event for which masks or facial co... The Nassau County mask ban bill (with some exceptions) prohibits a mask wearer to "enter, or appear upon or within any sidewalk, walkway, alley, street, road, highway or other public right-of-way or public property or private property without the consent of the owner or tenant." No person or persons over 16 years of age shall, while wearing any mask or facial covering whereby the face or voice is disguised with the intent to conceal the identity of the wearer, enter, or appear upon or within any sidewalk, walkway, alley, street, road, highway or other public right-of-way or public property or private property without the consent of the owner or tenant. This law shall not apply to facial coverings worn to protect the health or safety of the wearer, for religious or cultural purposes, or for the peaceful celebration of a holiday or similar religious or cultural event...