CDC: "And we persist, goddammit"

Hard day today Here's what we think about trusting CDC

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— Alt CDC (they/them) (@altcdc.altgov.info) November 20, 2025 at 5:24 PM 

tl;dr bullet points, bold my own emphasis  

Bluesky's verified #AltGov labeler/#AltGov starter pack is helpful alternative communication.

More about that in my October 12 post

CDC's scientists aren't in control of public-facing CDC websites.

"Don't treat them [CDC websites] as the gold standard" 

"Corroborate the information with other trusted, independent sources"

CDC's scientists are still there and still sciencing.

Exhibit A MMWR November 20, 2025 / 74(37);580–588 (legit science!) 

Exhibit B MMWR November 20, 2025 / 74(37);589–591 (also legit science!)

Vaccines do not cause autism

"Other trusted, independent sources": Can't go wrong with the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia! 

The agency this week quietly changed its official language to suggest vaccines may cause autism, a claim that scientists say has no basis in evidence

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— Scientific American (@sciam.bsky.social) November 20, 2025 at 8:21 AM

Gender-affirming care improves mental health and saves lives

"Other trusted, independent sources": Alt CDC pointed to University of Washington's School of Public Health as a source linking to real evidence-based research.

HHS leaders are doubling down on harm. Their new “report” on gender-affirming care for minors is junk science. Skip it. Check this out instead: sph.washington.edu/news-events/... It links to real evidence-based research Bottom line: Gender-affirming care improves mental health and saves lives 🏳️‍⚧️🫶🏳️‍⚧️

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— Alt CDC (they/them) (@altcdc.altgov.info) November 20, 2025 at 2:37 PM

Upstream Opportunities: Alternative Access Resources & Clear Communication

More next week about other trusted, independent sources and communication strategies. If you were there when I opened my mouth on November 6 and did not script any of what flew out of it, you can skip it because you already know what I had to say and got a handout with all my sources.