In Building 21 at the CDC in Atlanta, staff are adopting a low-profile approach due to fears of surveillance and potential job loss, especially after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became health secretary in February and initiated mass firings affecting over 10,000 employees. This environment has led to paranoia among remaining staff, who express concerns over the dismantling of long-standing research programs, particularly those addressing chronic diseases. Kennedy’s administration has been marked by an emphasis on reforming health policies, which some insiders believe may harm public health.
Critics note that decades-old research efforts, such as childhood lead-poisoning prevention, are being dismantled, and new initiatives are considered a step back in health progress. The recent firing of all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has raised alarms about the politicization of vaccines and a retreat from scientific consensus. Despite claims of improving efficiency, many report increased bureaucracy hindering essential health oversight. Overall, there’s a pervasive sense of dysfunction at the CDC, with staff fearing for both their futures and the health of the American public.
