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Reposted by Jen Curello

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · Sep 4

First Bernie Sanders. Then the CDC directors.

Now, more than 1,000 current and former HHS staffers are demanding he step down.

RFK Jr.’s enemies list just got a lot longer

First Bernie Sanders. Then CDC directors. Now, more than 1,000 current and former HHS staffers are demanding he step down.

www.motherjones.com

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Jen Curello @jencurello.bsky.social · Sep 4

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Grateful to live in CA 💙
States Go Their Own (and Contradictory) Ways on Vaccine Policy www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/u...

States Go Their Own (and Contradictory) Ways on Vaccine Policy

www.nytimes.com

Jen Curello @jencurello.bsky.social · Sep 2

📌
We Ran the C.D.C.: Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...

Opinion | We Ran the C.D.C.: Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health

www.nytimes.com

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Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · Aug 28

Full resignation letter from Demetre C. Daskalakis, a CDC leader, does not hold back.
"The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud."

My resignation letter from CDC.

Dear Dr. Houry,

I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business. I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested.

This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough.

While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people. This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles.

The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people. The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership. This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors. Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people.

It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC. The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense. Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function. Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC.

Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults. Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc.

I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again. I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season. Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.” We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary. I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us. Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources. At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him. To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information.

The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer. I believe in nutrition and exercise. I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability. Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun.

The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud. I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur. I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed.

For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics. I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision.

Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically.

Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution. If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.

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Thanh Neville, MD, MSHS @thanhneville.medsky.social · Aug 26

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Kyle Swanson, MD, FAANS, FCNS @kiswanson.medsky.social · Aug 27

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) released vaccination recommendations for adults with cardiovascular disease, urging immunization against COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pneumonia, and herpes zoster (shingles). #medsky 🩺

New ACC guidance urges uptake of 5 vaccines for heart patients

www.cidrap.umn.edu

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Jen Curello @jencurello.bsky.social · Aug 26

www.change.org/p/rfk-jr-mus...

Sign the Petition

RFK Jr. Must Be Removed—Before More Damage is Done, Before More Lives are Lost

www.change.org

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Thanh Neville, MD, MSHS @thanhneville.medsky.social · Aug 26

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Jen Curello @jencurello.bsky.social · Aug 22

❤️

Clinical Infectious Diseases @cidjournal.bsky.social · Jun 1

You've Got a Friend in Me: Curbside Questions Infectious Diseases Clinicians Ask Infectious Diseases Pharmacists

✅ Just Accepted
#IDSky

You've Got a Friend in Me: Curbside Questions Infectious Diseases Clinicians Ask Infectious Diseases Pharmacists

This multicenter study highlights the critical role of ID pharmacists in supporting ID consult services, with 89% of 1,518 curbside inquiries from ID clinicians resulting in clinical management changes as recommended by the pharmacist. These findings emphasize the necessity of ID pharmacists in optimizing multidisciplinary patient care.

doi.org

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Megan Ranney MD MPH @meganranney.bsky.social · Aug 19

A must-read, must-share piece - clearly deconstructing the shoddy science of the Geiers (who are inexplicably in charge of studies at HHS).

Consider this an early warning for what lies ahead. 🛟🩺🧪

www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Opinion | The Playbook Used to ‘Prove’ Vaccines Cause Autism (Gift Article)

Data can easily be manipulated to show a causation that doesn’t exist.

www.nytimes.com

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Andrew Levesque @andrewlevesque.bsky.social · Aug 20

US pediatric group breaks with federal policy, recommends COVID vaccines for young children…
www.reuters.com/business/hea...

US pediatric group breaks with federal policy, recommends COVID vaccines for young children

The American Academy of Pediatrics on Tuesday recommended that all young children get vaccinated against COVID-19, differing from federal policy that no longer recommends routine vaccination for healthy children.

www.reuters.com

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Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · Aug 15

Nature: Cancelling mRNA studies is the highest irresponsibility

go.nature.com/3HDx4wD

cc Jay Bhattacharya

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Thanh Neville, MD, MSHS @thanhneville.medsky.social · Aug 13

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Chelsea Polis @cbpolis.bsky.social · Aug 13

Great to see @theguardian.com cover @defendpublichealth.bsky.social! www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Read @defendpublichealth.bsky.social's Improving the Health of Americans Together (IHAT) evidence-based report here: www.defendpublichealth.org/resource/imp...

#IHATnotMAHA

‘Distracting the public’: group of health professionals call for RFK Jr to be removed

Ahead of the second Maha report, grassroots Defend Public Health warns that everything HHS is doing is ‘horrifying’

www.theguardian.com

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Jen Curello @jencurello.bsky.social · Aug 13

Asking for a friend (and my PubMed search history) — which article started the showdown?

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CIDRAP @cidrap.bsky.social · Aug 11

Statement: CIDRAP stands behind public health officials after attack on CDC

-from the CIDRAP Leadership

We declare our unwavering support of the CDC and all public health agencies and their steadfast dedication to improve the health of all people

www.cidrap.umn.edu/p...

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Jen Curello @jencurello.bsky.social · Aug 9

He’s an imbecile. Confident and incompetent is a lethal combination.

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Thanh Neville, MD, MSHS @thanhneville.medsky.social · Aug 8

some much needed levity.

blondie013.bsky.social @blondie013.bsky.social · Aug 8

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · Aug 6

Horrific. mRNA vaccines have saved millions of lives and could save millions more.

“I don’t think I’ve seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business,” said Mike Osterholm, a UMN expert on infectious diseases & pandemic preparations.
www.huffpost.com/entry/rfk-va...

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American Thoracic Society (ATS) @atscommunity.bsky.social · Aug 6

Washington Post Editorial Board: RFK Jr.’s slander of mRNA technology will harm Americans #vaccines #medsky www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Opinion | RFK Jr.’s slander of mRNA technology will harm Americans

Canceling research will slow lifesaving innovation and increase U.S. vulnerability to pandemics.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Thanh Neville, MD, MSHS @thanhneville.medsky.social · Aug 5

#academicsky #medsky, please sign this. It is a plea to the UC system to "Do not sacrifice our strengths & our community, deeply nurtured & protected for over 100 years, to a deeply callous &unfair federal administration that will only ask for more". tinyurl.com/ucstandup

Stand up, fight back.

Home

Please forward this letter widely at https://tinyurl.com/ucstandup

tinyurl.com

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Thanh Neville, MD, MSHS @thanhneville.medsky.social · Aug 1

The massive list of suspended UCLA grants came out today: 300 NSF and 500 NIH grants. I am miraculously not on the list, but this is devastating. Science will be lost, progress will be frozen, people will lose jobs, and careers in science and medicine are being destroyed. This is not ok.

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Jen Curello @jencurello.bsky.social · Aug 1

Yet another blow to science and academic freedom. Cutting research funding - especially at institutions like UCLA - is a short sighted move that undermines innovation, public health, and progress. Feeling for all my colleagues in academia there 💔

Paul Adamson MD MPH @padamsonmd.bsky.social · Aug 1

This is terrible news for all of us at #UCLA.

The attacks on #science continue.

Jaweed Kaleem @jaweedkaleem.bsky.social · Aug 1

BREAKING: The Trump administration has canceled $200 million in research grants to UCLA, citing allegations over antisemitism. The move came after Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi said UCLA would pay a "heavy price" over its handling of last year's pro-Palestinian encampment www.latimes.com/california/s...

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IDSA @idsainfo.bsky.social · Jul 7

🚨BREAKING: IDSA, along with AAP, APHA, ACP and others, has filed a lawsuit against HHS/Secretary Kennedy to stop unlawful changes to vaccine policy and defend public health.

We refuse to stand by while America’s public health safeguards are torn apart. bit.ly/4lm7UkW

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Shematologist, MD @shematologist.medsky.social · Jul 7

So thankful for @melindagates.bsky.social and others who are stepping up where our country is failing.

Announcement that people are coming together to fund Gavi the vaccine alliance

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