Former U.S. Surgeon Common Jerome Adams blasted Well being and Human Companies Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for his “delayed and tepid response” to the deadly taking pictures that occurred on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) Friday in Atlanta.
In an op-ed printed Saturday by Stat, Adams wrote it was “clear” that the taking pictures was a “a dire reflection of ever-escalating threats public health workers face in a climate increasingly shaped by misinformation, politicization, and inflammatory rhetoric.”
Final Friday afternoon, a shooter whom authorities have recognized as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White shot on the Atlanta headquarters of the CDC, killing DeKalb County police officer David Rose. White’s father reportedly advised police his son had been fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine.
In his op-ed, Adams, who served within the first Trump administration, lambasted Kennedy for ready 18 hours earlier than issuing an announcement, writing within the op-ed that he heard from staffers on the CDC inside that time-frame who felt “already demoralized.”
“Leadership in moments of crisis is critical. Kennedy’s delayed and tepid response, coupled with his own record of inflammatory claims, has only deepened the wounds and amplified a dangerous sense of betrayal among America’s frontline public health workers,” Adams wrote.
He additionally famous different current violent incidents, together with a taking pictures at a Pennsylvania hospital and the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
“What ties these events together is not just the violence — but the context that enables it,” Adams wrote. “Repeated rhetoric from influential voices, including Kennedy and his supporters, has portrayed health professionals as corrupt, untrustworthy, or outright malicious. They’ve been labeled ‘grifters,’ ‘enemies of the people,’ and worse.”
He known as on federal management to sentence rhetoric that vilifies public well being professionals, to cease scapegoating public frustration onto well being professionals, shield well being care employees and to fund actionable options as a substitute of simply messaging.
Showing on CBS Information’s “Face the Nation,” Adams continued his criticism of Kennedy, noting the secretary’s previous remarks villainizing the CDC.
“He said no one should be harmed while working to protect the public. There’s an out there,” Adams stated. “If you don’t believe that people are working to protect the public, then that means it’s OK to commit violence, at least in some people’s eyes.”
Writing on social media following the taking pictures, Kennedy stated, “We know how shaken our public health colleagues feel today. No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others. We are actively supporting CDC staff on the ground and across the agency. Public health workers show up every day with purpose — even in moments of grief and uncertainty.”
“Secretary Kennedy has unequivocally condemned the horrific attack and remains fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of CDC employees,” Well being and Human Companies Communications Director Andrew Nixon stated in an announcement Monday. “He extends his deepest condolences to the household and family members of Officer David Rose, who was tragically killed. Officer Rose’s sacrifice to guard the CDC on its darkest day won’t ever be forgotten.
“This is a time to stand in solidarity with our public health workforce, not a moment for the media to exploit a tragedy for political gain,” Nixon added.
