Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
CDC Switches Training Topic From Nuclear War To Severe Flu Preparedness
The New York Times: C.D.C. Postpones Session Preparing U.S. For Nuclear War
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has decided to postpone its session on nuclear attack preparedness next week. Much attention had been drawn to the timing of the agency’s session, which was publicized just days after President Trump touted the size of his nuclear button compared with North Korea’s. Late Friday afternoon, the C.D.C. announced that it had changed its mind about next Tuesday’s topic, making a last-minute revision to reflect concerns about cases of severe flu. (Kaplan, 1/12)
The Washington Post: CDC Postpones Session On 'Preparing For The Unthinkable': A Nuclear Blast
The session was to feature presentations from U.S. experts on public health preparedness and response and radiation, including one titled “Preparing for the Unthinkable.” It was planned months ago as part of a regular series of monthly webinars the CDC called Public Health Grand Rounds, officials said. But media interest in the topic was unusually strong, given the escalating tensions between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and their most recent war of words over which leader has the larger nuclear arsenal and bigger “nuclear button.” About three dozen media outlets had expressed interest in attending the session, which is broadcast from CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta. The initial CDC announcement featured a photograph of the distinctive mushroom cloud from a nuclear blast. (Sun, 1/12)
The Hill: CDC Postpones Nuclear Disaster Response Briefing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has postponed a briefing on how to plan and prepare for nuclear disaster. The briefing, originally scheduled for Jan. 16, has now been replaced on CDC’s website with an event focused on public health responses to severe influenza. CNN first reported that the nuclear briefing had been postponed. (Chalfant, 1/15)
