Natasha Loder

Health Editor, The Economist

[Natasha Loder @natashaloder]

When I first heard about the @enhanced_games I thought it was a tremendously stupid idea. Then I started reporting it. Tonight the games starts in Vegas. Here's why I changed my mind—and why the data matters and what still bothers me

https://t.co/mEyeCA6MPG

[Katherine Eban @KatherineEban]

Seemed like a good day to re-up my @VanityFair stories about @jaredkushner: how his secret #COVID19 testing plan went “poof into thin air.” https://t.co/4GRDmagFUT /1

[Natasha Loder @natashaloder]

@AAMortazavi I suspect it involved a game of chess Ali.

[NYTimes Communications @NYTimesPR]

This is irresponsible amplification of false information attempting to discredit a free and independent press simply for reporting the facts. Our statement replying to @RobertKennedyJr:

[Natasha Loder @natashaloder]

@VishalGulati_ https://t.co/h2FgMdJRR7

[Natasha Loder @natashaloder]

@AAMortazavi Wow. Congrats!

[Natasha Loder @natashaloder]

🔥

[Matt Ridley @mattwridley]

“Don’t insult my intelligence by trying to feed me this load of BS.”

- this is how the opponents of the lab leak hypothesis speak about each other’s arguments in private!

On this occasion Baric speaks for us all.

[Katherine Eban @KatherineEban]

NEW: @RollingStone has updated its story on the controversial hep B vax clinical trial in Guinea-Bissau funded by @CDCgov, to include a new statement from @WHO:

WHO spokesman Tarik Jašarević: “Even with the new protocol, the study is unethical.”

https://t.co/EcJUpLxW9q

[Natasha Loder @natashaloder]

@DrNeilStone Chill. Kenya can contain this. It’s Sudan and CAR that are the concern.

[Katherine Eban @KatherineEban]

Danish philosopher @stigborsen resigned from Univ. Southern Denmark ethics panel, after it voted to approve controversial Guinea-Bissau hep B vax clinical trial, under time pressure to get @CDCgov grant $$ . He tells @RollingStone: race 4 funding "short-circuited the process."

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

Deeply saddened by the passing of @HelenBranswell, a journalist of integrity and professionalism. Throughout her career, Helen demonstrated an unwavering commitment to evidence, science and truth, helping the public understand some of the most complex and consequential health challenges of our time. At a moment when misinformation competes with facts, her reporting was a trusted source of clarity, honesty and insight.

We at @WHO were privileged to work with Helen over many years, whether through one-on-one interviews or the hundreds of press conferences she attended during COVID-19 and beyond. Her questions were always informed, thoughtful and fair, reflecting a deep commitment to helping the public understand the facts and their implications for health.

On behalf of WHO, I extend my sincere condolences to Helen’s family, friends and colleagues. She will be greatly missed.

[Katherine Eban @KatherineEban]

SCOOP 🚨: New in @RollingStone

Expiring grant $$ drove CDC officials + Danish researchers to push last month for a hasty vote from a U. of Southern Denmark ethics panel to approve a controversial Guinea-Bissau hep B vax clinical trial.

https://t.co/hLXyXPMeHk

[Adam Feuerstein ✡️ @adamfeuerstein]

The STAT family received some devastatingly sad news this morning. Helen Branswell, a beloved colleague and renowned infectious disease reporter, passed away.

A beautiful tribute to Helen, written with love by our colleague @DrewQJoseph

Helen will be greatly missed.

https://t.co/E5aZOmcsQ0

[Natasha Loder @natashaloder]

@adamfeuerstein @DrewQJoseph I’m so very, very sorry to hear this.

[Natasha Loder @natashaloder]

@KatherineEban @HelenBranswell @statnews Oh no!

[Natasha Loder @natashaloder]

Finely reported account from the front lines of the vaccine wars. Like the Scopes trial of our era.

[Jake Scott, MD @jakescottMD]

Important reporting from @KatherineEban in @RollingStone on Aaron Siri’s efforts to undermine childhood vaccination and his extraordinary influence inside HHS.

I spoke with her about how he misrepresents the clinical trial evidence. Well worth reading.

https://t.co/yZcVyFiWOv

[Jake Scott, MD @jakescottMD]

Important reporting from @KatherineEban in @RollingStone on Aaron Siri’s efforts to undermine childhood vaccination and his extraordinary influence inside HHS.

I spoke with her about how he misrepresents the clinical trial evidence. Well worth reading.

https://t.co/yZcVyFiWOv

[Natasha Loder @natashaloder]

Great story by @KatherineEban https://t.co/ol3a1kEHl3

[Alison Young @alisonannyoung]

Healthbeat found a D.N. Shipilova listed as a co-author of plague bacteria research by scientists from the Irkutsk institute that was presented earlier this year. The study examined the antibiotic susceptibility of Yersinia pestis strains.

[Natasha Loder @natashaloder]

@alisonannyoung And as you note "Russian authorities said earlier Tuesday that all contact monitoring has now ended and no dangerous infections were detected". Can we think of any random pathogen that would need such a short monitoring period? 🤨