Alt CDC (they/them)

@altcdc.altgov.info

156647 Followers 846 Following

Public health experts resisting harmful policies, fighting disinformation, and defending public health from within. Not official CDC—but close enough for transmission. Proudly #AltGov Tips? signal altCDC.99, email altCDCtips@proton.me or DM

Brown metal bathroom stall door with a black sticker showing two stylized science fiction characters beneath the text, "TRUST DATA NOT LORE," in orange and white lettering.

Photo of a cartoon sticker in a bathroom stall. It features two black birds perched on top of a dumpster that is on fire. The text on the dumpster reads: “Our flame will outlast any dumpster fires in our path”

Infographic that shows:
Maximum number of people that one infected person with measles will infect. The basic reproduction number calculates a range of the number of people who will contract an infection from every one person with the virus. It’s shows that measles is more contagious than flu, Ebola, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), Mumps, and Smallpox. The graphic shows that a person with measles can infect up to 18 other people.

It’s an image of a raccoon walking across a grassy area. Jimothy, the raccoon. He looks a bit unusual because he has a short spine and his back is rounded.

Stylized portrait of Frederick Douglass with a quote:

If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

WEST INDIA EMANCIPATION ADDRESS · CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. · AUGUST 3, 1857

Alt text: "Infographic titled 'Swim Suit Color Test Results' from Alive Solutions, showing a grid of color swatches paired with underwater photos. High visibility colors: The bright/saturated tones stand out most clearly against the turquoise water. Orange, magenta/pink, and purple suits create strong contrast and are easy to spot in the underwater shots. Red also reads fairly well, though it can shift toward a darker, less vivid tone underwater. Low visibility colors: White, gray, light gray, and black suits appear to blend most into the underwater environment—gray tones especially can disappear into the bluish-green water and shadow areas, while black becomes nearly indistinguishable from dark water or shadows.

Line chart titled "Weekly Rates of COVID-19-Associated Hospitalizations by Season," showing hospitalization rates per 100,000 people on the y-axis (0–20) across surveillance months from October to September on the x-axis. Three lines represent different seasons: 2022–23 (light blue) peaks highest at around 11 in January before declining to roughly 4–5 by September; 2023–24 (dark navy) peaks around 8 in January, dips to a low of about 1.5–2 in May, then rises again to a secondary peak near 5 in August before declining slightly; 2024–25 (gray) stays lowest throughout, peaking around 4 in January and remaining mostly below 2–3 for the rest of the year. A note explains that rates for the past three weeks are estimates due to reporting delays, dashed lines represent estimated rates while solid lines represent observed rates, and shaded bands (when shown) reflect uncertainty ranges. The data was last updated June 11, 2026.

Rainbow flags held high above a city street filled with people celebrating Pride. Photo credit NYC Pride

Graphic with the headline 'Drowning prevention is a family activity!' and text stating 'Swim lessons for parents and toddlers are a first step toward water safety.' Illustration shows a simple orange silhouette of an adult holding hands with a child standing in wavy blue water. Footer shows logos for HealthyChildren.org and the American Academy of Pediatric

CDC DPDx infographic showing the life cycle of Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) and how it causes taeniasis and cysticercosis.

The lower portion illustrates taeniasis: tapeworm eggs are passed in human feces, pigs ingest the eggs, larvae develop into cysts in pig muscle, and humans become infected by eating undercooked pork containing those cysts. The tapeworm then matures in the human intestine, completing the cycle.

The upper portion shows cysticercosis: humans accidentally ingest tapeworm eggs, which hatch in the intestine. Larvae penetrate the intestinal wall and spread through the bloodstream to tissues throughout the body, including muscles, eyes, and the brain, where they form cysts. Infection of the brain is called neurocysticercosis and can cause seizures, headaches, and other neurologic symptoms.

Blue arrows depict the cysticercosis pathway in humans; red arrows depict the taeniasis transmission cycle between humans and pigs.

CDC and DPDx logos appear at the top.

Alt text: "Infographic titled 'Swim Suit Color Test Results' from Alive Solutions, showing a grid of color swatches paired with underwater photos. High visibility colors: The bright/saturated tones stand out most clearly against the turquoise water. Orange, magenta/pink, and purple suits create strong contrast and are easy to spot in the underwater shots. Red also reads fairly well, though it can shift toward a darker, less vivid tone underwater. Low visibility colors: White, gray, light gray, and black suits appear to blend most into the underwater environment—gray tones especially can disappear into the bluish-green water and shadow areas, while black becomes nearly indistinguishable from dark water or shadows.

The image shows an exhibit in at the CDC museum that has been hidden by a sheet of white paper. A sign on the exhibit says "Pardon our Progress".

Line chart titled "Weekly Rates of COVID-19-Associated Hospitalizations by Season," showing hospitalization rates per 100,000 people on the y-axis (0–20) across surveillance months from October to September on the x-axis. Three lines represent different seasons: 2022–23 (light blue) peaks highest at around 11 in January before declining to roughly 4–5 by September; 2023–24 (dark navy) peaks around 8 in January, dips to a low of about 1.5–2 in May, then rises again to a secondary peak near 5 in August before declining slightly; 2024–25 (gray) stays lowest throughout, peaking around 4 in January and remaining mostly below 2–3 for the rest of the year. A note explains that rates for the past three weeks are estimates due to reporting delays, dashed lines represent estimated rates while solid lines represent observed rates, and shaded bands (when shown) reflect uncertainty ranges. The data was last updated June 11, 2026.

A cartoon showing “radical left-wing algae’, that “vandalized” the reflecting pool with green characters on a neutral background

Graphic with the headline 'Cooking dinner? Choose someone else to be the designated water watcher!' and text noting that one study found half of child drownings occur between 4 and 6 p.m., the busiest swim time, when adults may be distracted by meal prep. Illustration shows an adult and child playing in an above-ground pool on the left, while another adult grills on the lawn to the right. Footer reads 'Learn more at HealthyChildren.org,' with logos for HealthyChildren.org and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Graphic stating 'Assign a water watcher—an adult who will pay constant attention to children in the water.' Below, a list titled 'If you are the water watcher, be sure to:' includes putting down your cell phone, avoiding other activities, supervising even if there are lifeguards, and switching off with another adult for breaks. An illustration of an eye appears on the right. Footer shows logos for HealthyChildren.org and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Line chart titled "Weekly Rates of COVID-19-Associated Hospitalizations by Season," showing hospitalization rates per 100,000 people on the y-axis (0–20) across surveillance months from October to September on the x-axis. Three lines represent different seasons: 2022–23 (light blue) peaks highest at around 11 in January before declining to roughly 4–5 by September; 2023–24 (dark navy) peaks around 8 in January, dips to a low of about 1.5–2 in May, then rises again to a secondary peak near 5 in August before declining slightly; 2024–25 (gray) stays lowest throughout, peaking around 4 in January and remaining mostly below 2–3 for the rest of the year. A note explains that rates for the past three weeks are estimates due to reporting delays, dashed lines represent estimated rates while solid lines represent observed rates, and shaded bands (when shown) reflect uncertainty ranges. The data was last updated June 11, 2026.

AI slop from the CDC All Hands... this is what happens when politicals don't let the comms team (at least the ones not fired by DOGE) do their job.

AI graphic that has a man reading the Scientific Methoo

Screenshot of a tweet from Newsmax Twitter account posted June 24, 2025. The post reads "A government agency spending $300 million in taxpayer dollars to produce sterilized flies sounds like a dream scenario for a DOGE team looking to cut waste, fraud, and abuse"

Screenshot of an HHS-wide email announcing the TOPx HHS Tech Sprint for AI and Invisible Illness and related LymeX innovation challenges. The email states that HHS has launched challenges offering up to $2.5 million in prizes to improve diagnosis, treatment, and support for people with Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome, Long COVID, and other complex chronic conditions. It highlights a TOPx challenge with up to $2 million in prizes, conducted in collaboration with NIH, LymeX, and the Federal CDO Council.

The email's central challenge question asks how U.S. Open Data and AI can be used to transform fragmented health signals into trusted insights so that people living with Lyme disease, Long COVID, and other complex chronic conditions are believed earlier, diagnosed faster, and supported with more effective care.

Three focus areas are listed: (1) Lyme Innovation, focused on early detection, diagnosis, and care coordination; (2) Invisible Illness, focused on making difficult-to-measure illnesses more visible and improving diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of their real-world impact, particularly for women; and (3) Cost of Illness, focused on quantifying the economic and personal burden of these conditions on patients and families. The email notes that TOPx submissions are due June 30, 2026.

LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY
MENTAL HEALTH
RESOURCES
Trans Lifeline
https://translifeline.org
1-877-565-8860
Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive.
LGBT National Hotline
https://lgbthotline.org/
1-800-246-7743
Serves the community by providing free & confidential peer-support, information, and local resources through national hotlines and online programs
NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, WE'RE HERE.
National Suicide Crisis Lifeline
https://988lifeline.org/
988
Text PRIDE to 988 for LGBTQ+ services
"At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone."
Crisis Text Line
https://www.crisistextline.org/
Text HOME to 741-741
Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support via mediums people already use and trust.
Graphic via Trans Lifeline
For LGBTQ+ Young People:
The Trevor Project
https://www.thetrevorproject.org
Text START to 678-678
For Queer BIPOC community:
Call BlackLine
https://www.callblackline.com/
1-800-604-5841
*BIPOC - Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
For Queer South Asian community:
DeQH
https://www.deqh.org/
908-367-3374
For LGBT older adults >50 yo:
SAGE
https://www.sageusa.org
SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline: 1-888-234-
SAGE

CDC graphic from cdc.gov/cancer
Photo of clothing with hat and sunglasses + sunscreen + tree
“Add them up for the best sun protection"

CDC graphic with light blue background.
Enjoy the outdoors!

Being physically active outside is healthy and can help reduce your risk for many types of chronic disease. But it's importance to be sun smart when outdoors.

Protect all the skin you're in.

CDC graphic, light blue blackground.
Includes:
Slip on a long sleeved shirt and pants
Slather sunscreen (SPF 15+) on any exposed skin
Slap on a wide brimmed hat
Seek shade during peak sunlight (10 am - 4 pm)
Slide on sunglasses

Outside Roybal campus, there's a blue sign with white lettering that says something like CDC Staff are Public Health…. but in front of that sign is a red sign with black lettering that says: “antivaccine advocates at Grand Rounds don't rebuild CDC Trust. Do better Jay."

A SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Month graphic with the heading "Recovery is possible" and a list of mental health crisis resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988, or visit 988Lifeline.org); Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255); SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP / 4357); Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990); and the websites FindSupport.gov and FindTreatment.gov.

Infographic with the following:
Picture of lungs - wording “Breathed in Poison?"
Picture of face - wording “Swallowed Poison?"
Picture of eyes - wording “Poison in the eyes?"
Picture of arm - wording “Poison on the skin?"

From activistchecklist.org:

Use a faraday bag to block all trackable signals from your phone
A faraday bag blocks all signals (GPS, cell, Wifi, Bluetooth, etc) coming in and out of your phone.
In theory, turning your phone off should do the same thing. While not common, there are ways to hack a phone so it can connect to the network even if it is off. A faraday bag provides an extra level of assurance.
A few options for where to buy faraday bags:

A SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Month graphic with the text "Speaking with compassion makes a difference." An illustration shows two people sitting across from each other in chairs, each with a laptop, engaged in an open conversation. Speech bubbles with ellipses appear above them, suggesting an active, ongoing dialogue. Decorative leaves are in the background.

Stephen Colbert holding up two emoji signs: one of a man face-palming and the other of poop

Graphs of the number of job postings on USAJobs during 2018-present. The top panel visualizes postings across the entire US government, the middle across all of HHS, and the bottom for all of CDC. Postings for the whole government dropped approximately 70% in early 2025 but steadily rose to somewhat lower than usual by present day. Postings for HHS and CDC became virtually non-existent in early 2025; however, while posting rose a bit for HHS, CDC postings did not occur for an entire year. Only in recent months have a handful of CDC posting occurred.

A SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Month graphic with the text "Words matter. Words can heal." An illustration shows two people — a woman in a red shirt and a man in an orange shirt — each inside a speech bubble shape, with their hands raised as if speaking or gesturing. Decorative leaves are in the background, conveying a sense of open, supportive conversation.

A SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Month graphic with the text "Sometimes the most important step is listening." An illustration shows an adult sitting on a red couch with a child, gently placing a hand on the child's shoulder while making eye contact in a supportive conversation. A potted plant is visible in the background.

Photo of a woman standing outside of CDC holding 2 signs. One in her left hand that reads “Restore and protect CDC’s amazing workforce. Stop the dismantling of public health.” And another in the right that reads “F this guy ➡️” pointed in the direction of an antivax protestor.

Stephanie Nolen, global health reporter, comments:
I first reported on H.I.V. in Zambia in 2002, when treatment was nearly impossible to find across sub-Saharan Africa. I saw villages where grandmothers raised dozens of orphans and hospital wards where gaunt, dying patients packed the corridors. Over the next few years, it was astonishing to see Zambia — bolstered by international donors and the U.S. PEPFAR program — turn the tide. More than a million people gained access to medication, and H.I.V. became a manageable chronic condition.

That is why it took my breath away to walk into a northern mission hospital recently and see men clearly dying of AIDS. While Zambia has managed to keep its core H.I.V. program running despite drastically reduced U.S. support, the cracks are widening. In clinics across the country, the human toll of this funding gap is becoming painfully visible.

A SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Month graphic with the text "Parents and caregivers are often the first to notice when something feels different." An illustration shows an adult embracing a young person in a comforting hug inside a home, with a desk and window visible in the background.

A SAMHSA graphic with the text "With integrated care, a more complete recovery is possible for people with co-occurring disorders." An illustration shows a woman wearing glasses sitting at a laptop, looking at a screen displaying three video call participants: a therapist, a doctor, and a peer support person. Green speech bubbles appear to her left, suggesting communication and connection.

Red graphic reading “Thank You” with text above: “Public servants fuel America every day, in every community.” Below it - “from the Partnership for Public Service" and "Public Service Recognition Week."

A photo of a computer screen displaying an email. The sender’s name and email address are covered with blue scribbles. The email is addressed to an HRSA Atlanta staff distribution list and has the subject “Employee Departure and Space Update.” The message states that Lynda Chapman resigned from her role as Senior Advisor for Regional Operations and that her office has been converted into a temporary phone booth/mothers room available for reservation. The signature indicates the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Three-column graphic to make fun of RFK Jr’s quest for autism reasons. Text:

You're RFK Jr
Pick any 3 to figure out where autism comes from.
Vaccines
Circumcisions
Tylenol
Your brain
The dead bear in your trunk
5G
Gluten
Lesbians

fill your brain
trick your body
uses witchcraft
swims in sewage was planted by a female elected representative
spreads propaganda
was sent by communists
hatched a secret plot

with worms.
through GMOs.
to make kids like trains.
with demons. to turn kids into cyborgs.
for Antifa. to destroy
America
to promote
Star Trek.

Two Canadian geese napping in a bed of flowers

Line graph titled “Gun injuries are the leading cause of death for children and teens ages 1–17.” It shows deaths per 100,000 children and adolescents from 2000 to 2020 by cause. A dark line for gun-related deaths rises over time and becomes the highest by around 2020. A light line for motor vehicle deaths starts highest around 2000 and declines significantly over time. Other causes—such as poisoning, suffocation, heart disease, and fire—remain much lower and relatively stable. Source noted as a 2022 New England Journal of Medicine study.

A Canadian goose roosts and honks on the roof of a building entrance.

Line graph titled “Gun injuries are the leading cause of death for children and teens ages 1–17.” It shows deaths per 100,000 children and adolescents from 2000 to 2020 by cause. A dark line for gun-related deaths rises over time and becomes the highest by around 2020. A light line for motor vehicle deaths starts highest around 2000 and declines significantly over time. Other causes—such as poisoning, suffocation, heart disease, and fire—remain much lower and relatively stable. Source noted as a 2022 New England Journal of Medicine study.