At the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, employees are adjusting to a climate of fear and secrecy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has initiated drastic changes since his appointment in February. Over 10,000 staff members have been terminated, contributing to a pervasive sense of instability. Staff avoid electronic communication to evade surveillance and conduct sensitive discussions away from prying eyes, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.
Kennedy’s administration has canceled numerous research programs deemed “woke,” disrupted scientific norms, and overhauled vaccine policies. Controversially, he dismissed all 17 members of the long-serving advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP), aiming to “re-establish public confidence” in vaccine science, despite concerns that this politicization of vaccines threatens public health.
While Kennedy promotes initiatives for healthier lifestyles, sources indicate that essential chronic disease prevention programs are being dismantled, leading to significant public health risks. Current staff express anxiety about their future and the lack of clarity about the CDC’s direction, fearing the long-term consequences of the ongoing changes on both national and global health.
