The Ballad of Fired CDC Head Dr. Susan Monarez and the Rip-Sh*t Crazy Senate Republicans
The drama unfolding at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has left many scratching their heads. At the center of it all is Dr. Susan Monarez, the former director of the agency, who testified before the Senate Health Committee about her tumultuous departure from her position. The story involves a complex web of lies, deceit, and partisan posturing, leaving this writer questioning the very purpose of the CDC itself.
A Tale of Trust and Betrayal
According to Dr. Monarez, she was fired by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. just 29 days after her confirmation by the Senate. The reason for her ouster? She refused to support changes to the CDC's recommendations for vaccinating children without reviewing the scientific evidence.
Kennedy demanded that Dr. Monarez pre-approve all vaccine recommendations coming out of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which he had replaced with anti-vaxxer individuals. He also ordered her to dismiss career officials responsible for vaccine policy, without cause. In a shocking turn of events, Kennedy claimed that Dr. Monarez was untrustworthy and asked if she could be trusted, only to be met with defiance from the former CDC director.
A Hearing of Ridiculous Proportions
The Senate Health Committee hearing where Dr. Monarez testified was a spectacle to behold. Republican lawmakers took every opportunity to badger her with dishonest questions and personal attacks, attempting to undermine her credibility. Senator Elizabeth Warren pointed out that Kennedy's actions were "nuts," while Dr. Debra Houry, the former CDC chief medical officer, shared her own story of being sidelined by Kennedy.
One of the most egregious moments came when Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma) claimed to have a recording of Dr. Monarez's conversation with Kennedy, only to reveal that it didn't exist. When confronted about his lie, Mullin admitted to being "mistaken" and later apologized for mispronouncing Dr. Monarez's name as "menorahs."
A Descent into Madness
The hearing took a dark turn when Senator Ashley Moody (R-Florida) accused Dr. Monarez of conspiring against President Trump. She demanded to know if the former CDC director had an elaborate plan to create a "spectacle" by contacting committee chair Bill Cassidy and demanding a hearing.
Cassidy, however, pointed out that the HELP Committee is responsible for overseeing the CDC, rendering Moody's accusations laughable. Ranking member Bernie Sanders summed up the absurdity of the situation, stating that it's unprecedented for government officials to question the elected officials of the United States.
The Future of Vaccine Policy
As the ACIP vaccine committee prepares to meet today and tomorrow, the fate of childhood vaccines hangs in the balance. Will they recommend continued vaccination or abandon the schedule altogether? The world watches with bated breath as this critical decision is made.
In the meantime, one thing is clear: the CDC's credibility has taken a serious hit. Can we trust an agency that has been politicized to such an extent? It's a question that deserves serious consideration in these tumultuous times.