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Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shared how “frustrating” it is when health decisions are politically driven.
“It’s frustrating when people make decisions based on health through a political lens.” Walensky told Fox News’ Dr. Marc Siegel. “We’ve done everything we can, and I continue to put my head down to steer the ship to govern. What I think with science is the fundamental science that leads the way. Our policies are driven by science and they, of course , must be interpreted in the context of whole health, [for] the whole society”.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Centers for Disease Control, speaks during a news conference at the Queen Theatre.
(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
From the beginning, the CDC has gotten messages about the virus wrong and has run afoul of vocal and influential politicians from both parties.
Walensky shared his desire in the future to be consistent, truthful and transparent in the face of political pressure and public health crises.
“We need to showcase our work. We need to inform policymakers. We need to update things along the way as we move toward the goal. We need practical, timely recommendations that give an early look at the data and adjust along the way.”
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Over the course of COVID-19, a culture war has erupted, with many questioning the CDC’s efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, as well as its insistence on vaccine mandates, claiming that these public health measures interfere with individual rights.
“What this pandemic has taught us and shown us is that now we have to talk to the American people. We have to say what we know when we know it and provide timely data and give people updates along the way. And yes, that also means telling people what we don’t know while making decisions.” Walensky admitted.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, now director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), takes off her mask to speak.
(REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
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The CDC has also faced backlash over the effectiveness of vaccines against the virus.
“When delta came out, we saw that they worked less well against infection. But what I will say, and similarly with omicron, is that they continue to show a lasting effect in preventing serious illness and death,” Walensky said. “That’s where we are right now. And of course, the upcoming data on what will happen with our new reinforcement in the fall.”
In early August, the CDC changed its approach and eased its COVID-19 guidelines, including not recommending masks unless you test positive for the virus or live in areas with high rates of infection or hospitalization for COVID-19.
“Masks have been a challenging message. What I will say is that we’ve seen time and time again, data after data showing that masks have decreased infection and that they work to decrease infection, especially better quality masks.” Walensky said.
A nurse administers a smallpox vaccine at a North Jersey Community Research Initiative clinic in Newark, NJ
(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, file)
In May, the monkeypox virus first appeared in the United States, and the CDC began navigating the impact of the new outbreak.
The CDC moved more nimbly in response compared to its response to COVID-19, with the agency quick to post details about monkeypox online to aid public understanding of the virus.
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“One of the things we did with monkeypox, we put our tests, our details on the tests online immediately because we had those tests available a week after the first case in Massachusetts.”
Sarah Rumpf is a digital production assistant at Fox News. You can reach her on Twitter at @rumpfsarahc
