At Building 21 of the CDC in Atlanta, workers operate in a climate of fear, avoiding Zoom meetings and discussing sensitive topics only in soundproof offices to evade surveillance by the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). Following Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as health secretary in February, over 10,000 experienced staff were dismissed, igniting chaos in public health sectors like the CDC, FDA, and NIH. Insiders report a dismantling of long-established scientific norms and the cancellation of numerous research programs due to claims of “wokeness.” Staff are increasingly strained, scavenging supplies due to budget cuts.
Kennedy’s recent firing of the entire advisory committee on immunization practices has raised alarm, as many see it as politicizing vaccines—a concern echoed by sacked experts. His controversial initiative to overhaul vaccine policies has prompted fears for public health, particularly regarding Covid-19 vaccinations. Additionally, critical programs like lead-poisoning prevention are reportedly being shut down without explanation.
Staff express concern about increased bureaucracy undermining efficiency, with impossible grant processes stifling crucial operations. Overall, insiders depict an agency in disarray under leadership they consider anti-science, with serious implications for public health in America. Workers feel a profound sense of anxiety and uncertainty about the agency’s future and their roles within it.
