Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · 3d

Take a minute to look up.

Almost a full moon rising behind a saguaro lined ridge in Tucson Arizona.

1 5 32

Reposted by Paula Corrette

John Skiles Skinner @skiles.blue · Aug 30

The resignation letter that the government does not want you to see

2 48 110

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Aug 28

This is what integrity sounds like.

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.

2

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Aug 20

Thanks, it was good to see you out there.

1

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Aug 15

Perspective is everything.
The same bolt at 120mm cropped & 35mm.

Lightning bolt pierces a cloud layer sending multiple stepped leaders to the distant hills during blue hour. Cropped view.

Lightning bolt pierces a cloud layer sending multiple stepped leaders to the distant hills during blue hour. Distant view.

2 10

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Aug 15

This was taken in Cochise County looking towards McNeal.

1

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Aug 14

Southern Arizona Monsoon lightning bolt at blue hour.
My fav so far this year. 08/10/25

Lightning bolt pierces a cloud layer sending multiple stepped leaders to the distant hills during blue hour.

6 17 160

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jul 19

Oops, or write a clock.

1

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jul 19

Time for him to draw a clock.

1

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jul 13

Heartbroken, such beauty and so many sweet memories.

An official says a historic Grand Canyon lodge has been destroyed by wildfire

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keeble said the Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames.

apnews.com

5

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jul 13

Just devastating, so many sweet memories.

2

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jul 6

Love the heat, love the monsoon, love this desert.

Colorful Tucson Arizona monsoon sunset reflected in pond with prickly pear cactus in foreground.

2 38

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jul 4

Everywhere I looked someone was getting dumped on. Seems appropriate for today.

5

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jul 1

Soon I hope!

1

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jul 1

Didn't get the needed rain but tonight's dust storm made for a spectacular sunset at Saguaro National Park East.

Spectacular red sunset dust storm at Saguaro National Park East in Tucson Arizona.

1 10

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jun 30

www.noaa.gov/sites/defaul...

www.noaa.gov

1

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jun 30

As I get ready for Monsoon here in Arizona, it's maddening to read about the severe cuts to NOAA.

Monsoon downburst and lightning over Tucson, Arizona in 2018.

1 12

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jun 30

To see all the years of study and research eliminated is beyond appalling. These dedicated people have built their careers to serve the public.

Dr. Robin Tanamachi 🌪️ @tornatrix.bsky.social · Jun 30

It’s jarring to see the eradication of so many of my friends’ positions proposed in such sterile prose.

Kelton Halbert @stormscale.io · Jun 30

Well, that’s sad

www.noaa.gov/sites/defaul...

2

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jun 30

This is how I feel about our country.
Rest but don't give up, we will get the "wonderment" back!

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse @whitehouse.senate.gov · Jun 30

Today, a chamber that once filled me with wonderment made me feel disgust.

Reposted by Paula Corrette

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Jan 22

AOC 🔥🔥🔥

760 8.6K 34K

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jun 24

My fav lens!

1 1

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · Jun 3

To all my friends and family, Happy #Pride2025

Larry Tenney @larrytenney.bsky.social · Jun 3

RAINBOWS SAVE LIVES 🌈✨

When we share our stories we heal ourselves and help others we may never know

Happy #Pride2025 #PrideMonth2025

Thank you Michael James for sharing your story

2

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · May 31

At the end of the day.

#grandcanyon #coloradoriver #CanonUSA #CanonR5 #hatchriverexpeditions

Golden sunset reflections on the Colorado River during a raft trip in Grand Canyon National Park.

10

Paula Corrette @pcorrette.bsky.social · May 27

The sky was cloudy when I crawled into my sleeping bag but when I woke up at 2:30am, there was the Milky Way, framed perfectly between the canyon walls.

Nautiloid CG, Colorado River, Grand Canyon National Park. 3:01am, 04/29/2025 @hatchriverexpeditions #grandcanyon #milkyway #protectourpubliclands

Milky Way overhead framed by the walls of the Grand Canyon during a raft trip.

1 44

Reposted by Paula Corrette

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · May 25

“Each part of NOAA plays a role in monitoring, understanding, and predicting how the environment in which we live, work, and play is doing, and how it affects each of us.” Dismantling NOAA would be bad for weather forecasting, bad for our economy, and bad for public health.

One NOAA: Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

We're about to learn how much we've depended on the seamless functionality of NOAA.

blog.ucs.org

1 40 98