At the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, staff members maintain a low profile due to fears of surveillance following significant changes initiated by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Since his appointment, over 10,000 experienced employees have been fired, creating a chaotic atmosphere as health priorities shift and longstanding programs are dismantled, many due to perceived “wokeness.” Employees avoid Zoom meetings, use soundproof offices for discussions, and even scavenge supplies from dismissed colleagues’ desks.
Kennedy’s leadership is seen as disruptive, particularly in areas related to vaccine policies. He recently fired all 17 members of the advisory committee responsible for immunization, which has raised concerns that vaccines are being politicized. Former committee members warn this will be detrimental to public health, especially as changes in vaccine recommendations are made without scientific input.
Moreover, essential programs like childhood lead-poisoning prevention have been closed, limiting the CDC’s ability to respond to public health crises, while funding cuts and bureaucratic hurdles hinder FDA operations. Insiders criticize the administrative changes for introducing inefficiency rather than improving it. Current employees express deep anxiety over their futures, highlighting a lack of coherent planning under Kennedy and his team, fearing these changes will have serious consequences for public health in the U.S.
