Staff began a "clap out" protest Thursday just outside the CDC's Atlanta headquarters to support staff who had resigned. A staff member asked to remain anonymous due to fear of repercussions. Susan Monarez was ousted as CDC director weeks after being sworn in; her lawyers disputed a claim she had left and the White House confirmed termination. Demetre Daskalakis said recent policy changes surrounding the COVID vaccine threatened lives and eroded trust in low-risk vaccines. Other departing officials include Debra Houry and Daniel Jernigan. More than 750 HHS employees sent a letter on Aug. 20 accusing Kennedy of contributing to harassment and violence during ongoing upheaval.
Staff began their "clap out" protest - where staffers march, hold signs and clap - Thursday just outside the CDC's Atlanta headquarters to support staff who had resigned, according to one staff member at the protest who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of repercussions. Top officials who resigned were escorted out of the CDC's offices Thursday morning around 10am, the staffer and multiple outlets said.
On Wednesday, Susan Monarez was ousted as CDC director just weeks after being sworn in. Her lawyers immediately disputed a claim that she had left the post. The White House confirmed she was terminated. Demetre Daskalakis, who was director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said recent policy changes surrounding the COVID vaccine threatened lives and there had been an "intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines."
CDC staff and other national health workers have been raging against Kennedy in recent weeks following eight months of upheaval, layoffs and grant terminations since he took over as HHS secretary. The angst against Kennedy reached a boiling point after the shooting at CDC headquarters earlier this month. More than 750 HHS employees went public on Aug. 20 with a letter sent to Kennedy and Congress accusing him of contributing to harassment and violence against government employees.
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