Thursday, April 30, 2009

Real problems with the HHS public affairs people – Jenny Backus. It is clear that I am being muzzled to speak to any major Press. Reasons unclear (see above). Big issue today in that on the NBC Today Show, which Jenny reluctantly agreed to put me on, the VP was quoted as saying that he would not want his family to go to any crowded places like riding on a subway, in an airplane or in a crowded arena because of the danger of people coughing on them and giving them the flu. I was on next and said calmly that this is not the CDC Public Health policy and calmed the waters, etc. Jenny had tried to have me call her 1 minute before I was on the air, but I did not see her e-mail. After the show (in which everyone said I did a great job) we connected by phone and she critiqued my answer to a question about the WHO increasing the phase of the potential pandemic from 4 to 5 and asked me if I thought that it would go to 6. I said that based on what the WHO was saying and the evolving nature of the epidemic, I would not be surprised if they did boost it to 6. Jenny said I should not be making policy ahead of the CDC and WHO – give me a break!. In any event, FOX National News wanted me today and the subject of interview would surely be the VP’s misstatement. Surprisingly, Jenny approved it and she said I should change the subject when they ask about the VP. She sent me a statement from the VP’s office saying that when the VP was asked what he would tell a family member if they planned a trip to Mexico, he would say not to fly and that I should refer the press to his statement. The statement is a flat-out lie and they wanted me to explain what the VP meant. I decided not to go on FOX and get caught in that nonsense. Jenny is blocking me on all of the networks and cable shows that are good and allowing me to do very little and so I am reaching the point where I do not want to be involved with them. April 30 – May 3, 2009 – Continued evolution of epidemic/pandemic with continued real issues with Jenny Backus and me. She refuses to let me on TV and even yanked me at last minute after agreeing that I would do Good Morning America today. I got to studio and found out that overnight, she had substituted Rich Besser for me. The ABC producers were horrified and apologetic. Also, Wolf Blitzer, Lou Dobbs, Bob Bazell and others are getting pissed that they are not allowed to interview me. Even David Gregory noted that it is surprising that I am not being seen on TV at all. May 4-5, 2009 – Epidemic seems to be stabilizing and looking like a classical seasonal flu , but out of season. Big issue is will it go underground over the summer and then reemerge with a vengeance next Fall and Winter just like in 1918.