Target: Jim O’ Neill, Acting Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Goal: Ensure hospitals and clinics have access to data needed to prepare for highly active flu season.
A case of bird flu has been detected in the United States for the first time in nearly a year. But experts are growing increasingly concerned about a rapidly mutating and more virulent strain of the seasonal flu. The variant began flashing warning signals over the summer, when nations in the planet’s southern hemisphere experienced their flu seasons. Outbreaks were earlier, more frequent, and led to increased hospitalizations. Similar patterns are already emerging in Europe, Japan, and Canada. The United States could be next, but the country may be ill-equipped to deal with another public health epidemic.
Since the yearly flu vaccine was developed before the emergence of the ever-evolving strain, public health officials worry about diminished effectiveness for the upcoming flu season. Time is of the essence in tracking cases and compiling as much data as possible. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not provided new updates for its surveillance system in weeks. While the government shutdown has played a role in the lack of transparency, the CDC is still suffering from budget and personnel cuts handed down from the federal government. Little guidance has also been provided for local clinics and hospitals going into the infectious disease season when cases of the flu, COVID-19, RSV, and the common cold typically rise. And much of the guidance coming from the federal government – such as the continued attacks on vaccines — could actually worsen outcomes.
Sign the petition below to demand leaders get America’s healthcare house in order before disaster strikes.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Acting Director O’ Neill,
A flu strain that is easily transmissible and fueling hospitalizations across the planet will very likely soon set its sights on the United States. How will America’s healthcare infrastructure hold up in the midst of deep cuts in key resources and personnel at the CDC? This understaffing and underfunding have already contributed to blackouts of critical data healthcare departments nationwide need to inform their plans of actions going into flu season. A lack of clear and scientifically driven guidance from leadership will certainly not help resolve these issues.
As the captain of this ship, you must step up and fight for the resources and the employees you will need to navigate a challenging flu season and to avert the tragedies of another pandemic.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Polina Tankilevitch
