COVID-19 shooter at the CDC attributes depression to the COVID vaccine; Union calls for declaration opposing misinformation
In the aftermath of a tragic shooting incident at the Atlanta offices of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the union representing CDC workers is demanding that federal officials take a firm stand against vaccine misinformation.
The shooting, which occurred on Friday, was carried out by Patrick Joseph White, a Georgia man who had become fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a law enforcement official. White opened fire outside the CDC headquarters, leaving bullet marks in windows across the sprawling campus. The incident resulted in the death of a police officer, David Rose, a former Marine who served in Afghanistan and had graduated from the police academy in March.
More than 90 young children were locked down inside the CDC's Clifton School during the shooting incident. Thousands of people who work on critical disease research are employed on the CDC campus, and at least four CDC buildings were hit in the shooting.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2883 union is calling on CDC and HHS leadership—currently led by vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—to make a "clear and unequivocal" condemnation of vaccine disinformation to restore public trust and protect employees. The union argues that vaccine misinformation fueled the attack, which endangered staff and poses a serious threat to public health and safety.
CDC Director Susan Monarez expressed being "heartbroken" over the shooting, and union statements described the incident as compounding months of mistreatment and vilification of CDC staff tied to disinformation. Kennedy, as HHS Secretary, has been criticized for vaccine skepticism and for dismantling vaccine advisory structures and research funding related to mRNA COVID vaccines, further complicating the messaging environment.
CDC staff and former employees also called for Kennedy to denounce health misinformation more broadly and seek tighter security measures following the attack. A group of laid-off CDC employees, Fired But Fighting, accuses Kennedy of villainizing the CDC's workforce through false claims about science and vaccine safety.
The union believes that a public statement by federal officials condemning misinformation is needed to help prevent violence against scientists. They are also calling for CDC staff not to be required to immediately return to work after the traumatic event, citing the need for repairs and ensuring complete security. The union suggests perimeter security on all CDC campuses until the investigation is completed and shared with staff.
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2023, March 18). CDC Union Calls for Federal Leaders to Condemn Vaccine Misinformation After Shooting Incident. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/cdc-shooting-vaccine-misinformation-federal-leaders-condemn-4b88f8a386e129bba2b74d5416483b1c
[2] The Washington Post. (2023, March 18). CDC Union Demands Federal Leaders Condemn Vaccine Misinformation After Shooting. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/cdc-union-demands-federal-leaders-condemn-vaccine-misinformation-after-shooting/2023/03/18/a8c11358-7975-11ed-b11e-0605109a999c_story.html
[3] CNN. (2023, March 18). CDC Union Demands Federal Leaders Condemn Vaccine Misinformation After Shooting. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/18/health/cdc-union-vaccine-misinformation-shooting/index.html
[4] NBC News. (2023, March 18). CDC Union Calls for Federal Leaders to Condemn Vaccine Misinformation After Shooting Incident. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-union-calls-federal-leaders-condemn-vaccine-misinformation-after-shooting-n1275928
[5] The New York Times. (2023, March 18). CDC Union Demands Federal Leaders Condemn Vaccine Misinformation After Shooting. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/18/us/cdc-union-vaccine-misinformation-shooting.html
- The CDC shooting incident has sparked calls for federal leaders to take a firm stance against vaccine misinformation, primarily from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2883 union.
- The union argues that vaccine misinformation contributed to the shooting incident, which endangered staff and poses a serious threat to public health and safety.
- Bob Kennedy, HHS Secretary and vaccine skeptic, has been criticized for dismantling vaccine advisory structures and research funding related to mRNA COVID vaccines, further complicating the messaging environment.
- CDC staff and former employees have urged Kennedy to denounce health misinformation more broadly and seek tighter security measures to protect scientists following the attack.
- A group of laid-off CDC employees accuses Kennedy of vilifying the CDC's workforce through false claims about science and vaccine safety.
- In the aftermath of the shooting, the union is demanding that CDC staff be given the opportunity to return to work only when complete repairs and security measures have been implemented.
- The union wants perimeter security on all CDC campuses until the investigation is completed and shared with staff to help prevent future acts of violence against scientists.
