Tuesday, October 28, 2014

The political issues are heating up around Ebola with the elections only 1 week away. Gov. Christie is standing firm in saying that the US government, particularly the CDC, are playing catch-up with Ebola and that his initiation of a quarantine for 21 days for healthcare workers and other travelers returning from West Africa is the way to go. I have been on multiple television programs specifically indicating that I respect the opinion of the governors and that I understand that they are trying in good faith to do the best for their constituents. However, several TV commentators have now pitted me against Gov. Christie, feeding him with somewhat out-of-context quotes from TV interviews indicating that I am directly challenging him as being unscientific. He is lashing back saying that I am just defending the administration. He sometimes mixes me up with CDC. However, he has mentioned me by name several times in discussions on TV interviews. I am very concerned about this politicizing of an important global health problem. I was on Good Morning America with George Stephanopoulos, CNN with Sanjay Gupta, and MSNBC with Morning Joe early this morning. In fact the ABC producer came all the way into the NIH to make sure that the interview with George Stephanopoulos went well. Immediately after I appeared on GMA, Gov. Christie appeared and Matt Lauer was instigating him telling him that scientists like me was saying that he "got it wrong on" thus instigating Christie to lash back at the scientific and public health community including me. This is really a very unfortunate evolution of events since as has always been the case, I stay out of politics and try to just do the right thing for public health. I appeared via Skype on the Diane Rehm Show this AM and made it clear that I was not criticizing Christie. The POTUS made a brief speech in front of Marine 1 as he was about to take off reaffirming what I said on Sunday TV (without invoking my name) that we are driven by science and not by fear and so there is no reason to do a blanket quarantine on all returning HCWs since they are heroes and we do not want to discourage them from volunteering. Ben Bradlee died at age 93 a few days ago and I have been invited to the service at National Cathedral and to the family reception at Ben and Sally Quinn’s home in Georgetown. However, with the Ebola AM calls and the fact that I have to be at the WH later for the POTUS greeting and honoring the HCWs (see below), I cannot make the service. Too bad. I really liked Ben. I am completely exhausted now and I have hundreds and hundreds of e-mails to catch up on. It feels like I'll never catch up since the White House, the department, and the media are making extraordinary demands on me. The White House has decided because of my ability to be quick on my feet and articulate a clear and concise message in front of the TV camera that they are putting me out on TV for virtually every issue that comes up regarding Ebola. What a change of pace from just a short while ago when for one reason or another HHS and/or the White House never approved any big TV for me. Now they actually set up shows and have Andrea Purse working closely with me. Such is life. The POTUS came out today and reiterated the reasons (my reasons) for following the science and not having a quarantine for returning HCWs. Typically, HHS shut me down on the many requests for TV appearances for me since they never let anyone out there when the POTUS speaks. Believe it or not, I am glad since I am exhausted. Today and yesterday, there have been a considerable number of false alarms with people from West Africa (just arriving) having fever, vomiting, etc. and getting worked up only to have any of a number of other diseases from malaria to rhinovirus. Still getting much hate mail! Got e-mail from Andrea Purse asking about the safety of returned HCWs from West Africa (USA people) who have been invited to the WH tomorrow to be congratulated by the POTUS (with handshakes). Some came back less than 21 days ago and so they wanted to be sure it was OK. Cannot violate our own principles, but people are somewhat nervous. I looked at list and said it was OK. Then Sylvia Burwell called me up and wanted me to speak with Ronny Jackson to make sure that Ronny asks them if they were in high risk category.