Josh Robbins

#UequalsU @hiv 🫶#harmreduction #hiv #gay

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

Every year on World AIDS Day, I spend some time looking through the interactive AIDS Memorial Quilt to honor folx. This year, I saw one panel that said ‘Call My Name’ — It Is HOWARD KIRKLAND (1949-1992).
Done, champ! ❤️ #WorldAIDSDay

https://t.co/amXpB1WUQI

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

For the first time in quite a while, I’m speaking up again: #UequalsU! 🫶🏼

… more to come in 2026. ;)

[Dan Go @CoachDanGo]

How to do a hard reset on your life by the end of 2025:

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

“We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary.  I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us.”

@dr_demetre

[DrDemetre @dr_demetre]

My resignation letter from CDC.

Dear Dr. Houry,

I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business.   I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested.

This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough.

While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people.  This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles.

I am unable to serve in an environment that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies and materials that do not reflect scientific reality and are designed to hurt rather than to improve the public’s health.  The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people.   The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership.  This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors.  Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people.

It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC.  The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense.  Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function.  Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC.

The recent term of reference for the COVID vaccine work group created by this ACIP puts people of dubious intent and more dubious scientific rigor in charge of recommending vaccine policy to a director hamstrung and sidelined by an authoritarian leader.   Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults.  Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc.

I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again.  I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season.  Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.”  We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary.  I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us.  Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources.  At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him.  To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information.

The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer.  I believe in nutrition and exercise.  I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability.  Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun.

The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning.  My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so.  I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud.   I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur.  I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed.

For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics.  I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision.

Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically.

Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution.  If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.

Sincerely,

Demetre C. Daskalakis MD MPH (he/his/him)

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

Trump’s Obama dialogue is masking the Epstein conversation as the House leaves for recess. FYI.

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

If I was consulting that CEO that got caught at the Coldplay concert— here would be the statement I offered for him to say during this crisis communication moment (instead of that bs he released)…

“I’ve been a Coldplay fan for years.

I thought that WAS my wife!

Lesson learned. Okayyyyy?!?! *Snap*”

Love,
Zaddy”

🤣

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

Sending love to everyone at #IAS2025!

Those living with #HIV, like me, appreciate all you are doing! 💪🏻

#UequalsU #PrEP

[ViiV Healthcare @ViiVHC]

🎥 Reporting live from #IAS2025 in Kigali, Rwanda! Join Doreen as she takes a tour of our booth and meets some of the ViiV team.

Our booth at IAS reinforces our commitment to developing the next generation of medicines to help end #HIV for everyone.

#WeWontStop #IAS2025

[ViiV Healthcare @ViiVHC]

Yesterday at #IAS2025, we asked: What will it take to make HIV history? Our symposium ignited a passionate debate, with experts and the audience weighing in on the role we all play in getting closer to ending the #HIV epidemic through people, partnership and innovation.

[Raif Derrazi @RaifDerrazi]

Mitchell Warren, the Executive Director of AVAC @HIVpxresearch gave a grim presentation on the state of HIV research and the impacts of funding cuts.

A thread 🧵 1/

[Gilead Sciences @GileadSciences]

We’re proud to bring our people-first mission to #IAS2025. We’re driving innovation to help end the #HIV epidemic for everyone, everywhere.

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

This is really interesting. #DPP #IAS2025

[Sheirat Namayanja @SheiratN]

Day Two of #IAS2025 has ended and I’m still thinking about the DPP (dual prevention pill). Learning about it with @apha_sa was everything. A game-changer in giving young women and girls control over both HIV and pregnancy prevention.

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

#freediddynow

Probably: Time Served

[GENUINE @genuinerealppl]

CASTING: Caregivers of Seniors in the Chicago, IL area

GENUINE is looking for:
-All ethnicities, genders, and abilities ages 18+
-People who are in the midst of being an active caregiver and are responsible for making decisions for their senior loved one
If selected for the final project, you will be paid $500 for photoshoot session/ $1,500 for usage, and featured in print project on caregivers.

SUBMIT ASAP: https://t.co/wCjkfx6pid
Chicago, IL area search
QUESTIONS? Email [email protected]
#ChicagoSeniors #ChicagoCaregivers #ChicagoElderCare #ChicagoSeniorLiving #ChicagoHomeCare #ChicagoAssistedLiving #ChicagoMemoryCare #ChicagoDementiaCare #ChicagoCaregiverSupport #ChicagoAging #ChicagoRetirement
#ChicagoElderlyCare #ChicagoSeniorServices #ChicagoHomeHealthCare

[NIDAnews @NIDAnews]

Read #NIH #NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow's new guest editorial for @ASAMorg on advancing reduction of drug use as an endpoint in #addiction treatment trials.  https://t.co/VNtJ0ztO6i (1/2)

[NIDAnews @NIDAnews]

Dr. Volkow writes that abstinence may be the most appropriate treatment objective for many people with a substance use disorder, but it is sometimes not achievable. She discusses the need for new #treatment approaches that recognize the clinical value of reduced drug use. (2/2)

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

Accepted Manuscript @CIDJournal : “Despite VS on ART for more than two years, people with poorer immune recovery experience a significantly higher incidence of cancer.” an international, multicentre, observational cohort https://t.co/ExFKHUFOff

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

@hamboneZA Haha

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

Someone on Grindr:
Do you worship my d and rail my a?

Me:
Do you wanna go to Waffle House this morning?

(I love Waffle House.)

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

@kevinbsearcy Omgoodness! It’s so great to hear from you!!!
I haven’t heard from you in years and years. 💪🏻 Being gay and having a deep faith are still who I am. Let’s wager a bet that we both make it to heaven. 🤠

[Josh Robbins @imstillJosh]

I choose to be gay.

[CHRIS+OPHER @cmk6894]

@imstillJosh