In Building 21 of the CDC in Atlanta, workers are adopting a low profile to navigate an atmosphere of fear and surveillance, particularly following the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary. Since his arrival, over 10,000 experienced staff members have been fired, creating chaos within health agencies like the CDC, FDA, and NIH. Many employees now avoid Zoom meetings, fearing they may be recorded, and handle sensitive discussions in soundproof offices to evade scrutiny from officials from the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).
Kennedy’s administration has disrupted long-standing scientific norms, which has led to the cancellation of numerous research programs deemed “woke.” The added bureaucracy has made grant approvals cumbersome, contradicting claims of improved efficiency. Employees report scavenging supplies from fired colleagues’ desks due to budget cuts.
One of Kennedy’s most controversial moves was firing the entire advisory committee on immunization practices, with critics claiming vaccine policies are being politicized. His initiative for “Generation Gold Standard” aims to revive outdated vaccine technologies, sparking concerns among scientists about the regression in vaccine development.
Efforts to tackle chronic diseases have stalled, as vital programs, such as lead-poisoning prevention, have been shuttered. Insiders warn that the current disruptions could harm public health significantly, while the FDA struggles to maintain oversight amid resource shortages. Overall, employees express a lack of hope for the future under what they describe as an increasingly anti-science administration.
