In a statement reminiscent of Timmy Failure, the CDC director for the Biden administration admitted recently that mistakes were made.
More specifically, this is quoted from a New York Times article: “Regardless of who led the agency, ‘an honest and unbiased read of our recent history will yield the same conclusion,’ Dr. Walensky told employees. ‘It is time for C.D.C. to change.’
“She outlined in broad terms how she hopes to transform operations by emphasizing public health needs, especially with a quicker response to emergencies like infectious disease outbreaks. One of her top priorities is to deliver clear, concise messages about public health threats, in plain language that can be grasped without sifting through voluminous pages on a website.
“‘I think for a long time, C.D.C. has undervalued the importance of direct communication to the public with information the public can use,’ said Dr. Richard E. Besser, who served as acting director of the agency during the Obama administration.”
I have two comments on this. One is that it is great that the CDC commissioned an outside organization to come in an do an honest after action report to examine how they did in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The truth, warts and all, can only help them get better.
The CDC is an 11,000-member agency. It will be no small feat to change the direction and likely the culture of the organization.
Secondly, the issue of communications is very much at the heart of the matter. Simple, straightforward speech and writing is needed. The CDC must realize the ultimate customer of their science and findings are not other scientists, but the American public. What works for one group of people is unlikely to work for the other.
It has been a hard lesson for them to learn. Remember a quote I shared previously: “The lessons will continue to be taught until they are learned.” The CDC response to monkeypox has not been a resounding success story so far!
