@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 12h ago

Impatiens abound. Loving the rain and shade or sun.
Some. Newly added orange ones (hard to tell that, digitally) just starting to flower.
And previous pink ones shedding seeds➡️seedlings like rain!

View on mastodon.social

7

0

4

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 1d ago

"If the major parties were not alive to the realignment occurring in Australian politics, they certainly are now.

South Australia is only the beginning."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-22/what-does-one-nation-s-result-in-sa-election-mean/106479726?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

View on mastodon.social

0

2

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 1d ago

"Australians responding rationally to rising prices and perceived scarcity will not be dissuaded by lectures or reassurance alone.

There has to be a better approach than telling people not to panic buy."

-at least be *seen* to consider beyond 4 weeks, like we are

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-22/fuel-prices-albanese-government-political-risks-talking-points/106474840?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

View on mastodon.social

3

0

2

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 1d ago

"Australians responding rationally to rising prices and perceived scarcity will not be dissuaded by lectures or reassurance alone.

There has to be a better approach than telling people not to panic buy."

-at least be *seen* to consider beyond 4 weeks, like we are

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-22/fuel-prices-albanese-government-political-risks-talking-points/106474840?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

View on mastodon.social

3

0

2

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 1d ago

"If the pandemic is the comparison, we are in the toilet paper phase, not the virus phase"

-mmmm not yet. We may yet find ourselves in a true "Toilet paper phase" - shortages of stock on shelves.

"..we flattened the curve; now we flatter the president."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-22/the-middle-east-war-will-test-our-crisis-response-team/106479020?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

View on mastodon.social

8

0

6

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 1d ago

"If the pandemic is the comparison, we are in the toilet paper phase, not the virus phase"

-mmmm not yet. We may yet find ourselves in a true "Toilet paper phase" - shortages of stock on shelves.

"..we flattened the curve; now we flatter the president."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-22/the-middle-east-war-will-test-our-crisis-response-team/106479020?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

View on mastodon.social

8

0

6

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 3d ago

Charted: Global Energy Flows at Risk in the Strait of Hormuz

🛢️ About 20% of global oil consumption and 20% of LNG trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

🛢️ Nearly 90% of crude and condensate exports through the strait are shipped to Asian markets.

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/chart-energy-flows-at-risk-strait-of-hormuz/

View on mastodon.social

7

0

7

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 3d ago

Charted: Global Energy Flows at Risk in the Strait of Hormuz

🛢️ About 20% of global oil consumption and 20% of LNG trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

🛢️ Nearly 90% of crude and condensate exports through the strait are shipped to Asian markets.

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/chart-energy-flows-at-risk-strait-of-hormuz/

View on mastodon.social

7

0

7

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 3d ago

Ranked: The Top Crude Oil Producers in 2025

🛢️ Five of the world’s top 10 crude oil producers are in the Middle East.

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-worlds-biggest-producers-of-crude-oil/

View on mastodon.social

1

0

1

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 3d ago

Is Australia actually running out of fuel?
-not yet.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-19/is-australia-actually-running-out-of-fuel-/106475696

View on mastodon.social

1

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 3d ago

"at this stage"
"yet"
"if"
"at this point"
"if needed"
Bloody hell. Could you hammer on any more butt-covering language?

If the war continues, shortages are very likely, as our suppliers prioritise fuel for their own markets. Clearly communicate this or expect anger.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-20/federal-politics-live-blog-march-20/106476480?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web#live-blog-post-273600

View on mastodon.social

1

0

1

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 3d ago

Australia's fuel stocks as of 10/03/2026 [1].
Shipments reportedly still arriving though [2], so release of MSO is to account for extra demand by *us, rather than an actual shortage of supply. So far.

1️⃣ https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/security/australias-fuel-security/minimum-stockholding-obligation/statistics

2️⃣ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-19/new-national-fuel-supply-taskforce-middle-east-war/106471676

View on mastodon.social

0

2

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 3d ago

"category four system is expected to cross the coast "imminently" after moving "very swiftly" towards the coast overnight"

🌀Crossing within the hour just near the town of Coen (no cyclone shelter but some rated buildings)
🌀 Gusts could reach 250km/h
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-20/tropical-cyclone-narelle-live-updates-friday/106472282?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=twitter&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web#live-blog-post-273539

View on mastodon.social

1

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 3d ago

Massive cyclone about to cross the Queensland coast up north, meanwhile down near Brisbane..
#BigLand

View on mastodon.social

3

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 4d ago

🛢️ Oil held in the US on our behalf was a few days' worth.
🛢️ Storing oil is relatively easy. It's stable
🛢️ Storing refined fuel isn't. Highly volatile, it tends to deteriorate, often within months
🛢️ Australia simply doesn't have the storage capacity.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-13/australia-has-never-been-more-vulnerable-to-an-energy-crisis/106448236

View on mastodon.social

4

0

1

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 4d ago

🛢️ Oil held in the US on our behalf was a few days' worth.
🛢️ Storing oil is relatively easy. It's stable
🛢️ Storing refined fuel isn't. Highly volatile, it tends to deteriorate, often within months
🛢️ Australia simply doesn't have the storage capacity.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-13/australia-has-never-been-more-vulnerable-to-an-energy-crisis/106448236

View on mastodon.social

4

0

1

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 4d ago

"But I never get colllddssssah"
Yeah, you do, buddy, as a child mostly.

Then you developed some immunity, which, as an adult, made it difficult for you to notice a reinfection by the same rhinovirus (=you now think you're magical; sorry, you're not).

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18248302/

View on mastodon.social

8

0

8

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 4d ago

"The intranasal LAIV will be available in Australia from 2026. It has been used safely and effectively in millions of children across the UK, USA and Canada"
🦠 LAIV-Live Attenuated #Influenza Virus.
🦠 Attenuated-weakened strains to train the immune system without illness
https://ncirs.org.au/influenza/influenza-vaccines-frequently-asked-questions-faqs

View on mastodon.social

7

0

8

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · 4d ago

"The intranasal LAIV will be available in Australia from 2026. It has been used safely and effectively in millions of children across the UK, USA and Canada"
🦠 LAIV-Live Attenuated #Influenza Virus.
🦠 Attenuated-weakened strains to train the immune system without illness
https://ncirs.org.au/influenza/influenza-vaccines-frequently-asked-questions-faqs

View on mastodon.social

7

0

8

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Mar 09, 2026

Not long until the #flu #vaccine becomes available.
Whatever the season holds, it's a good idea to be vaccinated before it.
#Influenza kills, causes hospitalisation & can affect your heart & brain. Inflammation from infections is not your friend in the long term.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2026-03-10/influenza-vaccine-super-k-vaccination-urge/106431754?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

View on mastodon.social

10

0

9

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Mar 06, 2026

COVID-19 "..vaccines still provide excellent protection from severe illness and death even when the virus is not controlled by humoral immunity, likely due to cellular immunity that limits virus, independently of antibody neutralization"
https://academic.oup.com/jimmunol/article/214/6/1095/8105708

View on mastodon.social

14

0

7

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Mar 06, 2026

Check out the new stories on virologydownunder.com if you're looking for something different to distract yourself from wars, drones, missiles, domes, or nuclear proliferation.

View on mastodon.social

5

0

5

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Mar 05, 2026

Travel advisory for 32 countries amid polio outbreak https://nedhamsonsecondlineviewofthenews.com/2026/03/05/travel-advisory-for-32-countries-amid-polio-outbreak/

View on mastodon.social

6

0

8

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 28, 2026

Influenza epidemic peak height is not the best measure of season size. How severe the season is is a separate issue again.

https://virologydownunder.com/another-way-to-look-at-flu-season-size/

View on mastodon.social

9

0

4

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 25, 2026

I'm old enough to remember when professional diplomats & negotiators could quickly sift through the crap & see it for what it was.
But Russia now has imbeciles & children on the other side of the table, in a world that believes any & all Russian lies.
The time of amateurs & liars is ascendent.

View on mastodon.social

5

0

2

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 24, 2026

Most flu deaths this century were recorded in 2025, ABS finds.

-bigger season means more deaths unless flu vaccination levels are much higher. And we had our biggest season in record.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-24/most-flu-deaths-this-century-were-recorded-in-2025/106380626?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

View on mastodon.social

5

0

5

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 24, 2026

Rare, dangerous side effects of some COVID-19 vaccines explained

https://www.science.org/content/article/rare-dangerous-side-effects-some-covid-19-vaccines-explained

View on mastodon.social

5

0

6

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 23, 2026

Post-COVID-19 condition in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 in autumn 2023 in the Netherlands: a prospective cohort study with pre- and post-infection data.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(25)00264-9/fulltext

View on mastodon.social

3

0

2

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 23, 2026

Why has the building industry been allowed to get away with delaying automation and retaining its mysogynist 'blokey bloke' culture?
Reminds me that any backwater appendix simply gathers crap and toxicity.

View on mastodon.social

6

0

1

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 22, 2026

🎓 The household has a second university student.
Time passes too fast.
Good luck to all the newbies beginning an acadmic journey.
May you find your team, learn, challenge norms, base your lives on on evidence, & eventually make the world into something better than you found it.
Education is all 🎓

View on mastodon.social

17

0

2

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 21, 2026

US continually release new policies "that destabilise vaccine confidence globally … so in some respects, we haven’t hit the bottom of what’s coming,” says Dr Jessica Kaufman."
“My hope is that local Australian efforts [to tackle hesitancy] are significant enough”

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-22/australia-vaccine-hesitancy-fight-restore-confidence/106353012?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

View on mastodon.social

3

0

4

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 21, 2026

Ease of access but also ongoing education and communication needed IMO.

“The Australian government is engaging immunisation experts about reinforcing the message to parents and [improving] access and affordability to increase vaccination rates,”

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/22/why-have-childhood-vaccination-vaccine-rates-decline-australia?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

View on mastodon.social

3

0

1

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 20, 2026

How vaccines work for pregnancy and newborns.
-reakky nice and clear and simple. Made by the Australia Department of Health and the National Immunisation Program.
https://youtu.be/MZTisQQp0R4?si=NB_t8Zrnwusxsegu

View on mastodon.social

6

0

6

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 20, 2026

Everyone loves freshly cleaned towels 😒

View on mastodon.social

12

0

2

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 19, 2026

The 2024 Australian Whooping cough epidemic was huge. But that's been declining in 2025 and 2026 https://virologydownunder.com/in-australia-whooping-cough-was-huge-in-2024-but-declined-in-2025/

View on mastodon.social

5

0

3

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 19, 2026

RE: @mackayim2022@mastodon.social

While you visit and read this thoroughly educational piece, don't forget to subscribe to the blog so you don't miss any future gems like this!😎

View on mastodon.social

2

0

1

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 19, 2026

Whooping cough in 2024 was huge in Australia, but is declining in 2025 and 2026

The risks of declining childhood vaccination include a resurgence of dangerous infectious diseases driven by airborne pathogens such as Bordetella pertussis, the bacterium that causes whooping cough (also called pertussis). A recent local news article highlights this and touches on the infection pause as a reason for a 2024 epidemic. But I'm no fan of language like "catastrophic", and I'm…

https://virologydownunder.com/in-australia-whooping-cough-was-huge-in-2024-but-declined-in-2025/

View on mastodon.social

3

0

4

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 15, 2026

@Infoseepage@mastodon.social There is a specific vaccine for mpox though

View on mastodon.social

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 14, 2026

#Mpox: recombinant virus with genomic elements of clades Ib and IIb - Global

https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON595

View on mastodon.social

6

0

7

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social

forever virologist but not a working one. past researcher. PCR guy. past lab manager. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. Australian. # MasksMatter Also @mackayim.bsky.social on Bluesky 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🦟🧀

mastodon.social

@mackayim2022@mastodon.social · Feb 14, 2026

Right, so during just the past week, dementia risk-reduction measures reportedly include:
🔵 2-3 coffees
🔵 Reading and writing
🔵 Vaccination

View on mastodon.social

27

0

16

0

Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)

Posts

Media