Alyson Smith

RSV is nasty, pervasive, and impossibly inconsistent.

Potentially removing the life-saving protection we finally have in our toolkit is just evil.

And when I say almost died, he was in the hospital for two weeks, a week of that in the pediatric ICU

My son almost died from RSV when he was two

I concur. As a practicing pediatric pulmonologist for almost 30 years I am amazed how effective palivizumab and now nirsevimab have been in reducing the hospitalization rates due to RSV in babies. Nirsevimab is given to all babies and works. I’ve not seen sig side effects from either medication

I’ve really been amazed to see the sharp decline in childhood suffering over the course of the past 30 years, as measured by hospital and ICU admissions for things like: invasive Hib, invasive pneumococcal disease, meningococcemia & meningitis, pertussis, rotavirus (so many dehydration cases), & RSV

Significant measures in HB 1312 include: • Holding Federal Immigration Enforcement Accountable: The Illinois Bivens Act allows for civil legal action against any law enforcement officer who knowingly violated the Illinois or United States Constitution. • Protecting Immigrants at Illinois Courthouses: Creates the Court Access, Safety, and Participation Act, prohibiting the civil arrest of anyone in and around courthouses who are attending certain state court proceedings. Allows for civil damages for false imprisonment, including statutory damages of $10,000 if the person knew or should have known the person arrested was attending a state court proceeding. https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/gov-pritzker-signs-bill-to-protect-immigrants-from-unjust-federal-actions

• Ensuring Privacy at Hospitals: Creates the Health Care Sanctity & Privacy Law, preventing the unlawful release of protected health information. Requires all general acute care hospitals to implement a policy regarding interactions with law enforcement agents by January 1, 2026, and all other hospitals by March 1, 2026. • Defending Immigrants at Universities: Amends the Public Higher Education Act, barring schools from taking certain actions regarding the actual or perceived immigration status of students, employees, or those associated with them, unless required by law. Requires Illinois schools to submit procedures to for approving requests from law enforcement agents attempting to enter campus by January 1, 2026. https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/gov-pritzker-signs-bill-to-protect-immigrants-from-unjust-federal-actions

• Safeguarding Children and Families at Day Cares: Amends the Child Care Act by prohibiting day care centers from sharing the actual or perceived immigration status a child or associated person, unless required by law. Requires the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) to provide know-your-rights materials, preparedness plans, and other resources to families online. Compels licensed day care centers to adopt a plan of action for interacting with enforcement agents and notifying parents if an agent requests a child's personally identifiable information by January 1, 2026. https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/gov-pritzker-signs-bill-to-protect-immigrants-from-unjust-federal-actions

IL Gov @govpritzker.illinois.gov just signed legislation allowing civil legal action against any law enforcement officer who knowingly violated IL or U.S. Constitution, and enshrining protection for persons in:

🛑 Courthouses
🛑 Hospitals
🛑 Schools and Universities
🛑 Daycares

Thank you, Gov Pritzker

Governor JB Pritzker joined bill sponsors, officials, and community advocates in Chicago’s Little Village to sign HB 1312. This pivotal legislation enshrines protections for immigrant families in Illinois in the wake of the Trump Administration’s lawless and aggressive immigration enforcement actions.

Today, I've signed into law legislation that expands legal protections for the people of Illinois.

Dropping your kid off at day care, going to the doctor, or attending classes should not be a life-altering task.

We will counter the Trump Administration's depravity.

Annie Andrews

Me with Annie and my wife

Great evening fundraising for @drannieandrews.com in Baltimore with a packed house of pediatricians and friends who want her to be the first pediatrician senator! If you don’t support her campaign please do so now!!

Gov. JB Pritzker signs Illinois immigration law that curbs courthouse arrests and expands right to sue agents A new Illinois law enables individuals to be better able to sue federal officers for knowingly violating their rights and codifies a zone around courthouses where people are exempt from civil arres…

Gov. JB Pritzker signs Illinois immigration law that curbs courthouse arrests and expands right to sue agents

Significant measures in HB 1312 include: • Holding Federal Immigration Enforcement Accountable: The Illinois Bivens Act allows for civil legal action against any law enforcement officer who knowingly violated the Illinois or United States Constitution. • Protecting Immigrants at Illinois Courthouses: Creates the Court Access, Safety, and Participation Act, prohibiting the civil arrest of anyone in and around courthouses who are attending certain state court proceedings. Allows for civil damages for false imprisonment, including statutory damages of $10,000 if the person knew or should have known the person arrested was attending a state court proceeding. https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/gov-pritzker-signs-bill-to-protect-immigrants-from-unjust-federal-actions

• Ensuring Privacy at Hospitals: Creates the Health Care Sanctity & Privacy Law, preventing the unlawful release of protected health information. Requires all general acute care hospitals to implement a policy regarding interactions with law enforcement agents by January 1, 2026, and all other hospitals by March 1, 2026. • Defending Immigrants at Universities: Amends the Public Higher Education Act, barring schools from taking certain actions regarding the actual or perceived immigration status of students, employees, or those associated with them, unless required by law. Requires Illinois schools to submit procedures to for approving requests from law enforcement agents attempting to enter campus by January 1, 2026. https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/gov-pritzker-signs-bill-to-protect-immigrants-from-unjust-federal-actions

• Safeguarding Children and Families at Day Cares: Amends the Child Care Act by prohibiting day care centers from sharing the actual or perceived immigration status a child or associated person, unless required by law. Requires the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) to provide know-your-rights materials, preparedness plans, and other resources to families online. Compels licensed day care centers to adopt a plan of action for interacting with enforcement agents and notifying parents if an agent requests a child's personally identifiable information by January 1, 2026. https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/gov-pritzker-signs-bill-to-protect-immigrants-from-unjust-federal-actions

IL Gov @govpritzker.illinois.gov just signed legislation allowing civil legal action against any law enforcement officer who knowingly violated IL or U.S. Constitution, and enshrining protection for persons in:

🛑 Courthouses
🛑 Hospitals
🛑 Schools and Universities
🛑 Daycares

Thank you, Gov Pritzker

If they aren’t yet boosted, get your college kid their flu shot while they are home for winter break! Or better yet, have them go to their student health center or local pharmacy by their big kid self asap

#TisTheSeason

Statement from the Northeast Public Health Collaborative: The Northeast Public Health Collaborative (“the Collaborative”) has reviewed the relevant scientific literature and medical professional guidance related to the hepatitis B vaccine among newborns. The Collaborative continues to recommend that all newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine birth dose within 24 hours of delivery. Newborns born to birth parents who test positive for hepatitis B infection or have an unknown status should be vaccinated within 12 hours of birth. Additionally, all children should complete the full vaccination series within 18 months. These recommendations align with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule and reflect a consensus statement from the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. We hope the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will join us in these recommendations. We encourage the public to consult with qualified health care professionals and clinicians and rely on trusted medical sources when making decisions about their health or the health of their children. We also urge caution in sharing or acting on unverified health claims. The Northeast Public Health Collaborative is a voluntary coalition of public health agencies working together to share expertise, improve coordination, enhance capacity, strengthen regional readiness, and protect evidence-based public health in our jurisdictions.

The West Coast Health Alliance, CDPH, and Leading National Medical Organizations Continue to Recommend Hepatitis B Vaccination for Newborns December 5, 2025 NR25-022 WCHA disagrees with CDC’s Advisory Committee’s change to decades-long vaccine recommendation that has reduced pediatric Hepatitis B infections by 99 percent What You Need to Know: Hepatitis B is a highly infectious virus that attacks the liver and can cause serious illness and death. The hepatitis B vaccination is an effective way to prevent infection and its complications. New ACIP recommendations could lead to more children and adults getting liver disease and liver cancer.​​ SACRAMENTO – The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) strongly supports that hepatitis B vaccination continue to be routinely offered to all newborns, with the first dose of the vaccine given within 24 hours of birth for newborns weighing at least 2,000 grams (4 pounds, 7 ounces), followed by completion of the vaccine series. This recommendation aligns with trusted national medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics​, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists​, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.​

The Northeast Public Health Collaborative and West Coast Health Alliance have issued statements that continue to recommend the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns.

It's encouraging that regional health alliances are stepping up to counter disinformation spread by federal health agencies.

Another best practice for healthy babies is vaccinating them.

Kristi Noem draws protesters at Chicago Christmas tree charity event Trump's deportation chief presided over the "Christmas Tree Ship" ceremony at Navy Pier Saturday. She led one of the early aggressive immigration raids near Chicago.

Kristi Noem and ICE have terrorized Illinoisans for months.

Her racism and xenophobia have no place in Chicago.

chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (Wars nor Trek), LOTR, or Marvel, Disney Animated or Pixar.

was looking for a movie option for tonight and 10 has never seen it

❤️🥰

no double dew claws but prominent front carpal pads. She’s a pudge per the vets by look/feel but only weighs like 70 lbs.

Was curious about DNA but now at 10-11 years old am just glad we have her one-of-a-kind self ✨

She’s gorgeous! 😍

they did! a small shop and the owner just came (on his birthday) to get us going

progress 🤗

a woman in a pink hat is laying in a bed with a laptop on the table . Alt: Cameron Diaz, The Holiday - snuggled in bed in England wearing a hat, scarf, and mittens while eating snacks

Our brand new furnace stopped working Friday night and the (truly) lovely shop is closed until Monday.

26 degrees in Chicago. Good morning. ❄️

Denmark is lovely, but it’s not the US.

Dr. Elizabeth Murray does an excellent job explaining why we aren’t Denmark. Worth a watch. bsky.app/profile/drel...

Excellent news

RFK Jr is likely to hurt more people than anyone else in the cabinet

CPS reports 2% increase in measles vaccination rate Chicago Public Schools district has surpassed the recommended threshold for measles vaccinations, with 96% of its student population now immunized.

Chicago Public Schools has surpassed the recommended threshold for measles vaccinations, with about 96% of its student population now immunized, according to a Tribune analysis of newly released data.

see, that’s how she gets you 😉

Same fluffy white pup in summertime, lying in grass and smiling toward camera

Actually don’t know! Adopted her from a shelter age 4-5 yrs after she was relinquished by a breeder. 😢 GP has always been my guess - she’s sweet and mischievous like one 🙂