Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Last week, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, submitted a blistering resignation letter. In it, he warned that RFK Jr.’s dismantling of Department of Health and Human Services is sidelining scientists, manipulating data for political ends, and promoting dangerous, even lethal, misinformation about vaccines and infectious disease.
Daskalakis’ message was clear: the administration is “eroding trust in low-risk vaccines” and shoving the nation “to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive.”
Just one day later, CDC Director Susan Monarez was fired after refusing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s demand to step aside. Four more senior officials have quit in protest, walking away rather than serve under leadership that silences scientists and replaces evidence with politics.
Why does this matter?
Because the CDC has courageously prevented/spared us countless deaths, but for the first time is being told NOT to do that work. The CDC has guided America and the many nations who rely on our science through polio, smallpox, HIV, Ebola, and COVID-19. It exists to protect the public, not to serve a political agenda. When scientists are driven out and health decisions are dictated by ideology, every community in this country is at risk.
Public health is about more than individuals. It is about protecting children in classrooms, seniors in nursing homes, and workers on the frontlines. It is about our security as a nation. That security is being destroyed before our eyes.
We can and must fight back, including with leadership that respects science, values truth, and puts people over politics
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Here are a few things we can do now:
- Call your members of Congress
Demand immediate hearings into the politicization of the CDC and Dept. of Health and Human Services. They must stand up for science, transparency, and the integrity of our public health institutions.
- Support organizations defending public health
Donate or volunteer with groups working on the front lines to promote vaccine access, fight misinformation like Maryland Public Health Association, MobileMed, or Maryland Vax.
For additional information about vaccines visit:
Join advocacy groups like the Women’s Democratic Club, DoTheMostGood, Indivisible MoCoWomen, or Silver Spring Progressive Action and plug into state and local efforts.
Forward this email, post on social media, and talk to your friends and family. The public needs to know what’s happening and why it matters. If you have additional resources you think would be useful to share with our readers, please send them to me and I will include them in a future newsletter.
Finally, join my campaign. My next campaign event is on Sunday, September 14th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm in Potomac, MD. I hope to see you there. Scroll down to register and check out other exciting events and ways to get involved in our community.
With heart and purpose,
Tazeen Ahmad
Candidate for Delegate
MD District 16
tazeen@tazeenformaryland.com
Leading with Heart, Delivering with Purpose
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