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Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Full resignation letter from Demetre C. Daskalakis, a CDC leader, does not hold back. "The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud."

My resignation letter from CDC.

Dear Dr. Houry,

I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business. I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested.

This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough.

While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people. This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles.

The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people. The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership. This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors. Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people.

It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC. The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense. Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function. Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC.

Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults. Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc.

I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again. I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season. Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.” We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary. I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us. Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources. At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him. To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information.

The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer. I believe in nutrition and exercise. I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability. Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun.

The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud. I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur. I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed.

For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics. I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision.

Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically.

Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution. If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.

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The Literati @theliterati.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

So glad I decided to read this just before going to bed instead of doomscrolling. Hope makes for a good night’s rest. Thank you @theoriginaltomjoad.bsky.social.

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Saladm @saladm5.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

#nokings This is Palm Bay, Florida, in ruby red Brevard County (home of the “we’re going to shoot you graveyard dead” sheriff)There were crowds like this on all four street corners. His threats didn’t work!

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Sean Mullen, Ph.D. @drseanmullen.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

So… I did a thing I'm proud of. Grateful to @thewhn.bsky.social for publishing my piece on masking at work, long-term health, and staying grounded in a chaotic world. If you’ve ever felt stuck between clowns and jokers… you’ll get it. whn.global/stuck-in-the...

whn.global

Stuck in the Middle with Masking: Playing the Long Game in a Short-Sighted Age - WHN

by Sean Mullen, PhD “Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right…” That line plays in my head more often than it should—especially when I’m the only one walking into a conference ballroom, faculty m...

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Justice Action Center @justiceactionctr.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

🎉BREAKING: We won! The judge just officially stayed (blocked) the federal notice that was set to end humanitarian parole for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela on April 24th. The court also granted us class certification. Stay tuned for more details on what this ruling means!

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zensoul.bsky.social @zensoul.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

#ProudBlue PLEASE! If you are reading this, make the call!!!!

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QueenCityJamz @queencityjamz.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

RIP Kurt Vonnegut. Gone 18 yrs. Dang.

"No matter how corrupt, greedy, and heartless our government, our corporations, our media, and our religious & charitable institutions may become, the music will still be wonderful. If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph: The only proof he needed for the existence of God was music."

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Emma Evans @trance.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Also I hope we're all on this same page EVERYONE needs to be brought out of that El Salvadorian hell hole they were ALL wrongfully deported. I mean it's good to focus on 'And this guy was here legally and not ever a gang member AND they're Venezuelan' but NO ONE should've been sent there

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John Pavlovitz @johnpavlovitz.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Yes, we deeply fear the irreparable damage you're doing to the country we call home and love dearly, to the people who live, raise families, do work, and dream dreams here. We are incredibly fearful but make no mistake, Donald—we are not afraid of you. johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/we-the-peo...

johnpavlovitz.substack.com

We The People Are Not Afraid of You, Donald.

An April 5th Declaration of Decent Americans

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Ben Ansell @benansell.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

On the tariffs @strangeloopcanon.com over at the other place has pretty convincing evidence that the White House may have used LLMs to come up with its tariff model and that that evidence may have come from LLM scraping of a Peter Navarro book. We are in the dumbest AI timeline.

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AltAirForce @altairforce.altgov.info · 29/03/2025

LOTS of great ideas here! Try not to let it overwhelm you though. Find a few ideas, jot them down or bookmark it and set a reminder for yourself to go back to it later 💕 It’s an ultra marathon friends! Engagement matters, but it’s okay to pace yourself. #resist #altgov

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Chanea Bond @heymrsbond.com · 28/03/2025

Every major media company around the world should be reporting on this every single day until those men are released.

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Sierra Delta @sierradelta328.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

‪ If you choose to protest anywhere peacefully in person, Alison Gary has some of the best, most useful, practical, real-world advice that you'll ever get. I encourage you to read and share this: www.wardrobeoxygen.com/details-on-t...

wardrobeoxygen.com

Details on the April 5th National Day of Protest

Sharing details on the April 5th nationwide protest, who is organizing the event, where it is taking place, and why I am sharing such info on a style blog.

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Rogue Citizen One @roguecitizenone.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

🍊 FLORIDA Today, March 20th, is the last day to request a mail-in ballot for the Special Election in FL01 and FL06 on April 1st. Click Here to Request Your Ballot: ▪️ dos.fl.gov/elections/for-voters/voting/vote-by-mail Early voting starts on March 22nd.

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Southeast Volusia Democratic Club @sevdems.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Josh Weil fundraiser with the fabulous Patti LaBelle!! @joshweil.bsky.social

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Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Dems across the country can stop this in its tracks. but they've only got about 48 hrs to do it. I explain how below.

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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

My latest on Trump’s presidential checkmate when it comes to accountability and where that leaves us if he refuses to obey the courts open.substack.com/pub/asharang...

open.substack.com

Trump's Constitutional Trump Card

Article II has a pretty big loophole, at least if you read it the way MAGA (and most of the Supreme Court) does.

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Saladm @saladm5.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Good morning, Bluesky. It’s a little windy and cool here in Central Florida. A great day for writing postcards to voters for Josh Weil and Susan Crawford!

Early morning beach sunrise. Dark clouds at ocean’s horizon with the sky going from orange to yellow to blue

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Highest Bitter @highestbitter.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

A few orgs you can donate to help Ukraine: United 24 (started by Zelensky) Ukrainian Red Cross Society White Stork Hospitallers Ukraine Front Line Azov One Renegade Relief Runners Kozak Drive Foundation Sustain Ukraine Superhumans East SOS Charitable Foundation Razom for Ukraine

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West Coast Women Forward (A Persist Affiliate) @westcoastwomen.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

🚨 Florida Voter Registration Deadline: March 3! 🚨 Check your registration NOW & make sure you’re still on the rolls! 📌 Check or register here: registertovoteflorida.gov/home Thanks @karinschall.bsky.social for the reminder & @thepersistnetwork.bsky.social for fighting for FL voters! #FloridaVotes

registertovoteflorida.gov

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Jlou @wehearvoices.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

#Voices4Victory #DemVoice1 #wtpBLUE I will not understand y’all at all if you don’t get out the BLUE vote! Republicans have ruined everything about FL, and I do not believe all y’all will give your Social Security benefits and Medicare to them for betraying you! LFG and get rid of fascism!

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heather bussing @heatherbussing.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Yay Librarians! Books save lives.

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Rogue Citizen One @roguecitizenone.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Josh Weil for Congress FL06 Special Election - April 1, 2025 Republicans control Congress by just ONE VOTE. Join the movement to put a real check on Trump and his dangerous plans. Help Josh defeat MAGA extremist Randy Fine! Volunteer TODAY! Visit: JoshWeil.us/Get-Involved @joshweil.bsky.social

joshweil.us

Get Involved | Josh Weil for Congress

Josh is a single dad, public school teacher, and is the Democratic nominee in the 1st house race of 2025. Winning this race puts the brakes on MAGA. Now is the time to ACT.

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John Pavlovitz @johnpavlovitz.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Dear Leaders of the Free World, We're not with these maniacs. Sincerely, Decent Americans johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/dear-world...

johnpavlovitz.substack.com

Dear World, (An Apology From Decent Americans)

Dear World,

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Qasim Rashid, Esq. @qasimrashid.com · 02/02/2025

I answer the critically important question, "HOW DO WE SLOW DOWN TRUMP?" Here are 7 meaningful things we can do to fight back. There's no quick fix, but with collective efforts, we can make progress. And yes, it requires Dem Leadership to Wake the ---- UP. www.qasimrashid.com/p/magas-7-de...

qasimrashid.com

MAGAs 7 Deadly Sins—So Far—And How to Fight Back

How MAGAs are undermining every aspect of our Republic as they march the United States towards fascism—and the actions we must take to stop them

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TK @40goingon28.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Hey literally any elected Democrat, grab a news crew and go bang on the door and demand to know what’s going on! People love that shit and this is fucking insane!

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Saladm @saladm5.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

I wonder if our senators and congressmen get paid out of that system? They okay with Musk having access to all their data? Maybe with the ability to stop payments if he wanted?

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Saladm @saladm5.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

This press conference is one of the most offensive things I’ve ever seen.

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Saladm @saladm5.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

He just can’t go five minutes without blaming Biden, can he?

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