Before I retired, I was a healthcare risk manager, served on the Infection Prevention Committee for decades, and I was also involved with pandemic preparation long before COVID (and i retired before COVID). We depended on the CDC and our state health department for up to date information. I know how important epidemiology and public health endeavors are. I am proud of how our county health department, Cornell University, and our regional health system worked together to rapidly implement PCR COVID testing locally, as well as rapidly create a massive COVID immunization program as soon as the vaccine was available, starting with healthcare workers and first responders, then those most at risk, then the general public. I will never forget what they were able to do in record time. For those at CDC, I am shocked that there was little to no media coverage of the shooting incident, I am even more than shocked at the lack of support from the Secretary of HHS. It is sickening that there is so much disinformation out there about vaccines and health, and how that will negatively affect the health of our country. Please know that I care about and support all who work for public health in any way. I have been sharing YLE posts via social media to show my support and counteract disinformation. I will continue to press for adequate funding for public health initiatives locally, as well as at the state and federal level. Thank you, public health professionals for all that you do.
