Dr. Lucky Tran

Scientist, science communicator, public health and climate justice advocate.

WHO Fides member, Grist 50 Fixer, Creative Change alum.

New Yorker/Aussie.

Opinions my own & do not reflect employer.

linktr.ee/luckytran

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nprofile1qqs8j8ucv46lqmaletf8x7zrx485l489rjh5t5jxt46lz5h8qfsm72qpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerfw36x7tnsw43qs69q8w

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Last Notes

2026-10-26 19:14:34 UTC

Oh great an article about how to stay healthy when traveling… with zero mentions about wearing a mask. Public health is a joke. https://wapo.st/4syxpUw

2026-10-05 22:26:20 UTC

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a statewide disaster emergency due to the measles outbreak. This was avoidable.

2026-09-24 20:03:41 UTC

Happy to report the UN has fantastic indoor air quality! But I did get questioned by multiple security guards about why I was wearing a mask. I told them we were attending meetings about preventing pandemics 🤷🏻‍♂️
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/327/796/042/094/717/original/e6ef135f16ce55c7.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/327/796/279/627/997/original/9c552a697b281e71.png

2026-09-23 01:52:12 UTC

Of course one of the best science fiction directors of all time understands the science of airborne virus transmission! Steven Spielberg is wearing a high quality mask during the California COVID surge.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/317/849/309/686/933/original/a2de246fa8c60c3c.mp4

2026-09-20 18:59:48 UTC

Giving an external committee power to veto research funding because it doesn’t align to a political agenda will not only harm science, it is a threat to democracy. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/science/nih-omb-grants-bhattacharya-vought.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ClE.IUBK.fIInkVjczH3y&smid=url-share

2026-09-14 03:45:50 UTC

UN: Climate change will reach at least 1.8 C, a point where there are no good outcomes
Trump: Great time to repeal limits on power plant pollution!
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/climate/epa-power-plant-climate-rules.html?unlocked_article_code=1.BFE.xmvv.j_kQjbORgf4O&smid=url-share

2026-09-11 17:44:00 UTC

The CDC has declared the cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce over. Nearly 13,000 cases in 21 states have been linked to Taylor Farms lettuce. 570 people have been hospitalized and two have died.

2026-09-11 05:32:29 UTC

25 years ago. Utter devastation. New York rose up from the ashes, because that’s what New York always does and will always do. But the world changed forever from that point. It isn't enough to talk about peace. We must all work at it.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/250/767/684/581/569/original/90cee496161b2dc9.mp4

2026-09-02 06:04:49 UTC

According to a new UN report, global heating will reach at least 1.8 degrees Celsius, even in the best-case scenario. The authors warn that "there are no good outcomes above 1.5 degrees Celsius."

2026-08-29 19:53:47 UTC

5 measles deaths in 2 years is too many when we have a vaccine that is 97% effective at preventing infection. It’s ghoulish to dismiss the tragedy of these deaths.

2026-08-28 19:12:11 UTC

Measles-linked deaths since RFK Jr became HHS Secretary now surpass those recorded in the previous 20 years combined.

2026-08-28 02:26:44 UTC

Climate change is a moral catastrophe because countries like Nepal who are least responsible for causing it suffer the most.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/170/763/696/872/145/original/4927042c1d9d3f05.mp4

2026-08-25 20:57:45 UTC

Do not normalize children dying from measles. Measles was previously eliminated in the US, thanks to vaccines.
When children die from measles, it means that adults have catastrophically failed to protect them because they have rejected basic science.

2026-08-25 20:46:56 UTC

Petition to rename mRNA vaccines to “Dolly shots”

2026-08-25 20:25:27 UTC

Brb off to Dollywood to pay tribute to a true legend

2026-08-25 19:52:07 UTC

Dolly Parton helped millions of children learn how to read and saved millions of lives by funding COVID vaccine research. She improved more people’s lives than almost any political leader in office. Her impact will be felt by generations.

2026-08-25 18:50:42 UTC

Tough times for anyone who passed high school science

2026-08-25 17:50:07 UTC

It’s true. All these vaccines we give kids have a significant side effect: Adulthood.

2026-08-25 15:10:34 UTC

People are dying of measles because they are unvaccinated and yet the US government's response has been to push for fewer childhood vaccinations and splitting up the MMR shot. Horrific.

2026-08-25 14:56:12 UTC

Before last year, there were no US measles deaths in a decade, and now we have had 5 deaths in two years.
Measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, but will lose that status this year.
This is an abject failure of public health leadership.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/156/724/728/616/571/original/0a4f8a03150d7ccd.png

2026-08-25 14:45:33 UTC

Two people have died from measles in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. No one should ever die of measles when we have such an effective vaccine. Measles deaths are a result of years of anti-vax disinformation.

2026-08-24 00:27:07 UTC

It’s horrific that we live in a timeline where reporters have to get government officials to say on record that the MMR vaccine is not lethal.

2026-08-23 22:08:27 UTC

In Gary, Indiana, without refrigeration insulin supplies are being spoiled, and people who depend on oxygen cannot pump it from their tanks due to lack of electricity. A public health disaster.

2026-08-23 03:02:25 UTC

Last year, the FDA did not identify product to recall in 60% of food illness outbreaks; nearly half of investigations didn’t even identify the type of food.

2026-08-22 17:47:55 UTC

Gary, Indiana is without power for the 11th straight day after storms. This is climate injustice.

2026-08-21 22:51:56 UTC

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We need to keep speaking up about funding the infrastructure and instituting policies that make our food safe.

2026-08-21 22:51:28 UTC

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But what we do know is that government policies are putting us at increasing risk to foodborne illnesses.
Cuts to funding and staff have hurt both federal and state food safety programs and public health communications. And key policies like the Food Traceability Rule, which requires companies to rapidly track recalled products to speed up outbreak investigations, have been delayed for 15 years.

2026-08-21 22:48:08 UTC

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The annual number of recalls isn’t a reliable indicator of whether our food is safe or not. It doesn’t take into account other key indicators like volume of product recalled or how much illness is being caused by contaminated food.
Also, a higher number of recalls might not indicate more contaminated products. It could mean more enforcement or more company testing of the same universe of bad products.
It’s hard to fully understand what is happening with the information that’s available.

2026-08-21 22:47:33 UTC

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The involvement of high-profile companies and declining trust in health agencies may be fueling more coverage of recalls in the news and on social media but the reality is more complicated.

2026-08-21 20:28:53 UTC

Surprising fact: We are actually NOT seeing more food recalls this year compared with recent years.
What we are seeing is an increase in the number of illnesses caused by contaminated food. This year is the largest ever cyclospora outbreak and the third-largest foodborne illness outbreak of any kind on record.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/135/382/900/388/366/original/d032a128ad258f8d.png

2026-08-21 20:05:21 UTC

Stop calling them anti-vaxxers. Call them plague-supporters.

2026-08-21 12:23:09 UTC

👋 Biomedical scientist here.
There’s no such thing as “Turbo cancer.” Anti-vaxxers made up that phrase to fearmonger.

2026-08-21 05:59:44 UTC

With all these recalls, the only left that’s safe to eat is the rich

2026-08-20 22:49:32 UTC

Technology that makes cancer vaccines a reality should be treated like Operation Warp Speed. Instead, the government has cancelled $500 million in mRNA vaccine research.

2026-08-20 22:20:38 UTC

AI did not discover a cancer vaccine. Scientists discovered it because their research was supported and funded.

2026-08-20 19:58:33 UTC

As a professional science communicator, I am less worried about the general public accepting mRNA cancer vaccines, and more worried about mRNA cancer vaccine development being stalled due to people in power believing in conspiracy theories.

2026-08-19 17:36:49 UTC

Scientists are making huge breakthroughs using mRNA vaccines to treat melanoma, pancreatic cancer, and other cancers.
Meanwhile, RFK Jr has cancelled $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine research.
“Make America Healthy Again”

2026-08-19 13:54:20 UTC

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https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/merck-moderna-say-melanoma-vaccine-promise-prevent-recurrence-cancer-rcna593316

2026-08-19 13:52:23 UTC

Great news: A mRNA cancer vaccine slowed the return and spread of melanoma when used in combination with cancer immunotherapy in a late-stage clinical trial. The results will be presented at an upcoming meeting.

2026-08-18 01:20:26 UTC

Kansas Department for Health and Environment says they won’t change its vaccine schedule to match the executive order from President Donald Trump but instead will continue to trust in scientific evidence and follow recommendations from major health organizations. 👏 https://kansasreflector.com/2026/08/13/kansas-sticks-with-scientific-evidence-for-vaccine-schedule-despite-trump-order

2026-08-17 21:24:22 UTC

I love that everybody longingly wishes Zohran could be mayor of their city or in the White House, but trust me, there are many more Zohran’s out there in every community all over the US. So stop daydreaming and start organizing to defeat billionaire backed candidates in elections.

2026-08-17 20:38:10 UTC

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The Washington Post's investigation found that since the end of COVID orders, many schools have foolishly become less strict in enforcing vaccination mandates to prioritize ensuring students return to class. (which is ultimately counterproductive)

2026-08-17 20:16:48 UTC

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Want to know MMR vaccination rates for kindergarten classrooms in your county? Use this @nprofile…4nvq tool (gift article): https://wapo.st/4bX1BSa

2026-08-17 20:12:35 UTC

US child vaccination rates have plunged since before the pandemic, with kindergarten classrooms in more than 70% of counties now lacking herd immunity against measles.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/112/667/761/120/904/original/e60e8670c718b440.png

2026-08-16 22:45:07 UTC

It says everything that they claim the US can’t afford Medicare for All, yet they’re spending money on electric shock gloves.

2026-08-16 21:27:32 UTC

“I don’t believe in climate change.”
Dude, this is physics, not Santa Claus.

2026-08-14 20:09:50 UTC

The doctor who claimed that vaccines cause autism lost his medical license for faking for the study. But his lies and the damage he did to public health persist long after his paper was pulled. This is why science communication is so difficult; all it takes is one grifter.

2026-08-12 20:07:52 UTC

Kids who get lots of vaccines miss out on a lot of things in life
like measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, and polio.

2026-08-12 13:57:00 UTC

Statement from WHO Director-General on US vaccination policy.
“Vaccination policy should be guided by rigorous, independent and transparent review of the best available science, not by political influence.”
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/082/880/918/914/370/original/5d3f29de43ddf538.png

2026-08-12 00:22:20 UTC

I’d rather have more vaccines than baby graves.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/079/679/518/449/706/original/62064870e1e012fd.png

2026-08-11 23:12:50 UTC

Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis have been administered in a combined shot since the 1940s. Combo vaccines are one of the most proven medical technologies ever.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/079/403/703/607/256/original/fa110cdfed8b7589.png

2026-08-11 02:52:55 UTC

So they want to decrease the number of vaccines by separating combo vaccines therefore increasing individual doses?
Of course it doesn’t make sense because their concern isn’t how healthy kids are, they want to get rid of all vaccines for political reasons regardless of the consequences.

2026-08-10 23:03:00 UTC

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Source: https://stateline.org/2026/03/11/29-states-and-dc-now-reject-federal-vaccine-guidance/

2026-08-10 22:12:54 UTC

Here’s a map of states that have said they will disregard federal guidance on vaccines and instead follow recommendations issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/073/508/013/940/022/original/6bbc7e39aa027717.png

2026-08-10 21:55:06 UTC

Important: Trump’s executive order is NOT legislation. Though the executive order promotes more misinformation about vaccines, nothing has changed about the availability of childhood vaccines. For evidence-based guidance, please follow and share American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/073/437/684/626/383/original/0e8f0592693f3ac1.png

2026-08-10 21:07:51 UTC

Reporter: I think I heard you say that the MMR vaccine is quite lethal. Is there any evidence of that?
Trump: No, what I’ve heard is that some people say it is that way. I say well let's say there's a 5% chance of that, let's split it up... I heard when you put them together, they can be explosive.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/073/252/235/931/759/original/2e48ccf520914f72.mp4

2026-08-10 19:51:27 UTC

Remember: States, not the federal government, set vaccination requirements for children. Many have said they no longer follow vaccine recommendations from the federal government and instead follow those from the American Academy of Pediatrics and major medical organizations. They need to hold firm.
#nevent1q…ydth

2026-08-10 19:25:49 UTC

Today, Trump will sign an executive order proposing reducing childhood vaccines, and separating the MMR vaccine into 3 individual shots.
This reckless move will decrease vaccine uptake further at a time where measles cases are at a 35-year high, and the US is set to lose its measles elimination status. https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/10/politics/trump-vaccine-autism-rfk

2026-08-10 17:21:27 UTC

According to a new AIP report, last year physics PhD graduates left the US at the highest rate in 30 years. https://www.aip.org/fyi/physics-phds-are-leaving-the-us-at-a-record-high-rate

2026-08-10 00:33:47 UTC

Great to see the Guardian highlighting the mutual aid work of clean air clubs and mask blocs who have been distributing free N95 masks and air purifiers in areas affected by wildfire smoke 👏 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/09/us-wildfire-smoke-clean-air-clubs

2026-08-09 19:21:16 UTC

Abdul El-Sayed has a public health PhD from Oxford and a medical degree from Columbia. If he wins in November, the most qualified federal health official won’t be leading HHS or the NIH, they will be a Senator.

2026-08-08 02:55:54 UTC

Not only do these dudes not understand science, they are embarrassingly insecure and cringey
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/057/633/998/481/449/original/50022d76aecfa150.png

2026-08-07 00:09:19 UTC

White House officials are drafting an executive order focused on the childhood vaccine schedule and autism, according to several sources. https://wapo.st/4bCDnfQ

2026-08-06 17:44:25 UTC

Throughout history, persecuting scientists for saving lives is a frightening marker for the collapse of a society.

2026-08-06 04:00:01 UTC

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Initially the F.D.A. had refused to even review Moderna’s application for approval earlier this year, but quickly reversed course after a public outcry.

2026-08-06 03:47:06 UTC

Fantastic news! The FDA has approved the first mRNA flu vaccine. Using mRNA technology will make it easier to update each season’s flu vaccine to keep up with new variants.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/05/health/mrna-flu-vaccine-moderna.html?unlocked_article_code=1.3VA.bQzg.W9lb2O6O9zHs&smid=url-share

2026-08-04 03:38:44 UTC

Remember when RFK Jr required proof of vaccination for a party at his Hollywood mansion in 2021?
Watch what they do, not what they say.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/035/152/546/615/706/original/a88a8a23ca90373d.png

2026-08-03 19:00:48 UTC

If you deny that COVID pushed our hospitals to the limit, vaccines work, and healthcare workers are heroes, you should not be allowed to hold public office, let alone lead a health agency.

2026-08-03 17:57:43 UTC

Michigan health officials are reporting the first two deaths caused by the current cyclosporiasis outbreak, the worst ever on record.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/032/868/702/716/895/original/a3564cdd5a3e7fe0.png

2026-08-02 23:07:27 UTC

Anyone who has worked in healthcare will never forget the horrors we have experienced through the pandemic. No amount of lying or gaslighting can ever erase that.

2026-08-02 22:30:17 UTC

Please stop saying “lockdowns.” There were never true lockdowns in the US, and it fuels far right narratives to repeat this inaccurate statement. You can say closures, you can say restrictions, or better, you can say public health measures which saved many lives.

2026-08-02 21:30:47 UTC

I worked for New York’s largest medical center at the start of the pandemic. There were morgue trucks on the streets. They set up emergency medical tents in Central Park. Healthcare worker colleagues died. It is horrific that RFK Jr is on national TV lying that ICUs were empty.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/117/028/043/058/771/308/original/7490c0c50f91c253.mp4

2026-08-01 21:47:08 UTC

A society that vilifies scientists and healthcare workers for trying to save lives is a society determined to destroy itself.

2026-08-01 21:03:45 UTC

As we recall the trauma caused by COVID in 2020, we should not forget that COVID is continuing to cause harm. Many are still suffering from Long COVID, people who still mask are often harassed, and we haven’t installed clean air infrastructure at a mass scale. If we truly acknowledge past harms, we should be working to create a better future.

2026-08-01 20:51:49 UTC

2026-08-01 17:44:20 UTC

It’s always odd to me when I get asked if I am wearing a mask because I am sick. In my experience, these days most people wearing a mask are doing so to prevent themselves getting sick, and most people who are sick don’t wear a mask at all.

2026-07-30 19:38:59 UTC

Let’s be clear here, when scientists say mistakes were made at the start of the pandemic, we DO NOT mean that we did too much. We mean not socially distancing quickly enough, not making tests widely available, and not acknowledging COVID is airborne and distributing N95 masks to everyone.

2026-07-30 16:55:27 UTC

Scientists and healthcare workers have saved millions of lives throughout the pandemic and in return have received relentless attacks and harassment. If we don’t support those who work hard to protect us, what exactly do you think will happen next time there is a deadly global outbreak?

2026-07-30 14:54:50 UTC

The only thing that the Fauci hearing reinforced is that if another pandemic happens under the current leadership, we’re cooked.

2026-07-29 20:08:12 UTC

Record outbreak of a diarrhea-causing parasite
20 million eggs recalled due to salmonella
Worst air quality in the world from wildfire smoke
UN says world risks HIV resurgence due to funding cuts
Most measles cases in 35 years, and it’s only July
They’re going after Dr. Fauci again to distract you from current public health failures

2026-07-28 22:25:58 UTC

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https://wapo.st/4bboTU0

2026-07-28 22:25:02 UTC

The US will try anything but gun control
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/999/945/878/674/682/original/7e433c66344c0103.mp4

2026-07-27 17:37:48 UTC

👋 Public Health Communicator from Australia here.
One of the reasons Australia punches above its weight in sports is that it prioritizes sports science. It's no surprise that Aussie athletes like the swim team have been consistently masking to prevent themselves getting sick before competitions.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/993/152/827/164/789/original/e10ebdeeef3881d1.mp4

2026-07-24 20:12:52 UTC

Bill Cassidy once again providing cover for the dismantling of science. https://wapo.st/4fiG3Br

2026-07-22 23:56:53 UTC

The CDC recently updated its cyclosporiasis data. There are now 4,173 confirmed cases, making it the largest US cyclospora outbreak ever. 41 states have reported cases. This is just the tip of the iceberg with states reporting several thousand more cases that are awaiting to be confirmed.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/966/329/148/358/104/original/6d2f864f0c7a0e5f.png

2026-07-22 20:20:33 UTC

👋 Scientist and science communication professional here
Communications around the diarrhea outbreak caused by the cyclospora parasite has been confusing, and social media has been awash with misinformation. Here’s what you need to know:

2026-07-20 19:46:21 UTC

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Often cyclospora outbreaks resolve over time without even having a recall, so the fact that for the current outbreak there is an epidemiological link to a source (Taylor Farms) and there has been a recall, is decent progress, despite the confusing communications and political landscape.

2026-07-20 19:42:27 UTC

Important context for the diarrhea outbreak is that usually most Cyclospora outbreaks do not get traced back to a specific source. They are difficult to trace due to long incubation period, short shelf life of produce, it's hard to grow the parasite in the lab, and its genome is hard to sequence.

2026-07-20 18:40:25 UTC

TLDR on state of diarrhea outbreak:
- still awaiting confirmation of source
- we still need to be vigilant on what we eat
- majority evidence still points to Taylor Farms lettuce
- FDA communications has been confusing, but investigation is ongoing

2026-07-20 18:32:04 UTC

Update from FDA continues to link Taylor Farms despite false positive: “FDA’s traceback investigation and outbreak data continue to converge on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms locations in central Mexico... there is overwhelming epidemiological data to support the voluntary recall."
(Laboratory tests are one part of a wider investigative analysis and the false positive sample that the FDA tested was not part of the original recall)
#nevent1q…3wvg

2026-07-20 04:00:52 UTC

The FDA now says that Taylor Farms finding is a false positive. What a mess.
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/fda-says-taylor-farms-cyclospora-finding-was-false-positive-2026-07-20/

2026-07-17 14:45:34 UTC

👋 Scientist here.
Here are some science-backed tips that will help protect your health against wildfire smoke:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/935/852/281/357/342/original/0199a6b46efa883a.mp4

2026-07-17 03:42:31 UTC

For the one millionth time this is why we need a free N95 mask program everywhere. Masks are important tools we all need to stay healthy throughout our lifetimes.

2026-07-17 03:36:27 UTC

We’re number one (and two and three)! 🇺🇸☝️
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/933/219/896/641/833/original/6f357429b21bd7da.png

2026-07-17 03:30:59 UTC

So frustrating seeing wishy washy public health messaging like this.
When air is at hazardous levels:
AVOID outdoors
USE air purifiers
WEAR a mask
Do or do not, there is no try (or consider)!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/933/199/870/566/918/original/3ca725892576f20d.png

2026-07-17 02:40:56 UTC

If you are going to do a PSA outside about wildfire smoke, please wear a mask. Not wearing one shows that you don’t fully understand the issue.

2026-07-17 00:12:16 UTC

Today in NYC we have to watch out for:
Wildfire smoke
Extreme heat
Diarrhea causing parasites in food
Legionella bacteria in pipes
Instead of needing to be hyperaware of every new infectious disease outbreak, would be nice if there was some national agency that worked to prevent diseases… oh wait

2026-07-16 22:32:26 UTC

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REMINDER: You can get free high quality masks from your local library or mask bloc! 😷

2026-07-16 22:27:39 UTC

Wildfire smoke is enveloping NYC, and AQI is over 200, meaning hazardous air quality. Please protect your health and mask up!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/932/004/360/179/300/original/718d1980d576353c.mp4

2026-07-16 21:54:43 UTC

Lots of people just raw dogging this wildfire smoke huh 🤢