Dr. Tom Frieden

drtomfrieden.bsky.social

15 October 2026 17:58

I had no idea that Helen Branswell was ill. I'm deeply saddened to hear of her passing. When I became CDC director, a very astute member of the CDC press office told me that I wasn't ready for a briefing unless I was ready for questions from Helen Branswell.

Deborah Blum

deborahb.bsky.social

15 October 2026 17:58

Helen Branswell was the best infectious disease reporter I ever knew - ahead of the curve and steadfastly accurate during the Covid-19 pandemic and in all her other coverage. But she was also a wonderful person - smart and funny, generous and kind every day. And she will be missed. @statnews.com

Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH

gavinyamey.bsky.social

15 October 2026 17:58

Helen Branswell was one of the greatest health journalists on the planet; she will be missed In April 2020, Duke Today interviewed me about where I was turning to for reliable information about COVID. This is what I said.

Bill Hanage

billhanage.bsky.social

15 October 2026 17:57

I do not do much on social media right now. Making an exception. I talked to a lot of reporters during the pandemic. I don't think any of them would be surprised or offended if I say Helen was the best 1/n

Carl T. Bergstrom

carlbergstrom.com

14 October 2026 11:44

I worked with—and deeply admired—Helen for almost 30 years. She was hands down *the best source* about emerging infectious diseases that I've ever known. My first warning of COVID was when on Dec 28, 2019 she reposted a ProMED mail report of an atypical pneumonia cluster: "This doesn't look good."