Dr. Daskalakis on Leaving the CDC: I Didn’t Think We Were Going To Be Able to Present Science Free of Ideology

RUSH EXCERPT:
DASKALAKIS: "Of course I’m worried. I’ve been worried for months. I think if you read my resignation letter, I did not write that resignation letter in 15 minutes. I’ve been ready to do this when I felt I hit the line and I hit the line when both I didn’t think we were going to be able to present science in a way free of ideology, that the firewall between science and ideology has completely broken down, and not having scientific leader at CDC meant that we wouldn’t be able to have the necessary diplomacy and connection with HHS to be able to really execute on good public health. Both of those things mean that I can’t do my job, and that my scientists can’t do their job. When that happens, that’s the beginning of harm, and that’s the end of what I can do as a physician."