Union at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expresses condemnation towards vaccine misinformation, following accusations that the COVID-19 vaccine was responsible for a shooter's depression.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta was the site of a tragic event last week, when a shooting occurred. The shooter, identified as Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old from Kennesaw, Georgia, opened fire at the CDC headquarters, resulting in the death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose and causing significant damage[1][2][3].
White was armed with five guns, including at least one long gun, and fired more than 500 rounds[1][3]. Documents found in his home revealed his explicit discontent and distrust of the COVID-19 vaccinations. While there were no direct threats in the written materials, they expressed his dissatisfaction[1][4]. Law enforcement and acquaintances stated that White blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for various physical ailments, including weight loss, swallowing difficulties, gastrointestinal problems, and depression[1][4]. This anti-vaccine sentiment appears to have been a motivating factor in the shooting.
Thousands of people who work on critical disease research are employed on the CDC campus. One of the victims was Officer David Rose, a former Marine who served in Afghanistan, and who had graduated from the police academy in March[5]. The shooting also affected the CDC's Clifton School, where more than 90 young children were locked down during the incident[6].
The American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2883, has called for a clear and unequivocal stance from the CDC and leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services in condemning vaccine disinformation. The union believes that the leadership of federal officials is critical in reinforcing public trust and ensuring that accurate, science-based information prevails[7]. They also call for perimeter security on all campuses until the investigation is fully completed and shared with staff, and for windows and buildings to be fixed and made completely secure before staff return to work[8]. Additionally, the union believes that CDC staff should not be required to immediately return to work after experiencing a traumatic event[9].
In response to the incident, HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon unequivocally condemned the shooting and reaffirmed Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of CDC employees[10]. Kennedy also condemned the shooting and expressed concern for the safety of CDC employees[11]. However, Kennedy has been criticized by Fired But Fighting for villainizing the CDC's workforce through his continuous lies about science and vaccine safety[12].
The union believes that such a public statement is needed to help prevent violence against scientists[13]. The crime scene is complex, and the investigation will take an extended period of time[14]. The shooting left bullet marks in windows across the sprawling CDC campus, serving as a grim reminder of the tragic event that occurred[15].
- The American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2883, is urging the CDC and Department of Health and Human Services to take a strong stance against vaccine disinformation, considering the shooter's explicit discontent with COVID-19 vaccinations.
- The federal workforce, specifically those employed at the CDC, are advocating for perimeter security, fixed windows, and secure buildings before returning to work, following the shooting incident caused by a disgruntled individual with anti-vaccine sentiment.
- Health-and-wellness and mental-health concerns have been raised within the general news and politics spheres, as the anti-vaccine sentiment seems to have played a role in the shooting at the CDC, which targeted employees dedicated to critical disease research.
- The reimagined workforce, in light of the event at the CDC, is facing calls for understanding and support as they cope with the aftermath of the tragedy, with concerns about their safety and well-being in the context of ongoing political debates surrounding science and vaccine safety.
