President Biden's low approval ratings are partly attributed to his administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the failure to swiftly return to normalcy. His choice of Dr. Mandy Cohen to replace Dr. Rochelle Walensky as head of the CDC has raised concerns due to Cohen's alignment with controversial figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci and her implementation of stringent restrictions in North Carolina during her tenure as the state's Health and Human Services secretary. While these measures offered no demonstrable benefits, they caused significant financial and emotional hardship, particularly impacting children's mental health. Given this background, skepticism surrounding Cohen's leadership is understandable. Since her appointment bypasses Senate confirmation, she should proactively commit to three key actions to rebuild public trust in the CDC.
Firstly, a thorough Congressional investigation into pandemic decision-making is crucial. The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has already begun uncovering wasteful spending, but further scrutiny of the CDC's actions is necessary. The agency's missteps, ranging from inconsistent guidance to misrepresented data and communication failures, have tarnished its reputation. Cohen should champion safeguards to prevent future recurrences.
Secondly, Cohen must denounce the politicization of agency recommendations. Accusations of political influence plagued the CDC under the previous administration, and such concerns must be addressed regardless of which party holds power. Data, not political agendas, should drive the CDC's decisions. An independent review of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) is warranted, given its selective use of data during the pandemic to support mask and vaccine efficacy. Subsequent studies and real-world observations suggest that the benefits of these measures were overstated. Furthermore, transparency regarding vaccine-related adverse events is essential. The CDC's apparent disregard for data reported through VAERS and v-safe, including the significant percentage of individuals requiring medical care after receiving the experimental COVID vaccine, demands attention.
Thirdly, Cohen must champion medical freedom. While hindsight reveals the flaws in past decisions, it's important to remember that dissenting voices were silenced during the pandemic. The CDC's role is not to enforce compliance but to provide evidence-based guidance and empower individuals to make informed choices. A one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective. Ultimately, voters will evaluate Biden's pandemic response. For the CDC to regain public trust, its new leader must acknowledge past errors and embrace transparency and individual autonomy.
