At the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, employees are adopting a low-profile approach amid fears of surveillance and retribution following significant staff firings since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became health secretary. Over 10,000 experienced staff have been let go as the government’s health priorities are realigned, disrupting long-established scientific norms and research programs deemed “woke.”
Insiders report chaotic work conditions, including insufficient supplies and a convoluted grant approval process. Kennedy’s controversial overhaul has sparked significant concern, particularly regarding vaccine policies, as he abruptly dismissed all members of a key immunization advisory committee. Critics, including former committee members, warn that politicizing vaccine science could harm public health.
The dismantling of programs crucial for chronic disease prevention is alarming employees, who fear the damage to public health may be irreversible. Despite claims of increased efficiency, several sources indicate that additional bureaucratic layers are hindering operations rather than improving them.
Amidst the turmoil, the unclear leadership dynamics and a persistent atmosphere of anxiety have left continuing employees uncertain about their future and its potential impacts on public health in the U.S.
