Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Deputy Director Anne Schuchat Stepping Down From CDC
Politico: CDC's Second-In-Command Anne Schuchat To Step Down
Top Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official Anne Schuchat is planning to step down from her role as the agency's principal deputy director this summer, the agency confirmed to POLITICO. Schuchat's retirement would be the CDC's second high-profile departure in the past month, after longtime senior scientist Nancy Messonnier said in early May she also planned to leave. (Cancryn and Banco, 5/17)
Stat: CDC's Anne Schuchat To Resign In Second High-Level Agency Departure
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky announced the news Monday, saying Schuchat would be leaving the agency over the summer. The news was first reported by Politico. “I have enormous gratitude for Dr. Schuchat’s leadership and contributions over three decades, and during this very challenging period for our country. I am especially thankful for her invaluable counsel, assistance and support in my transition into this role,” Walensky said in a statement. “I will remain forever grateful that our paths crossed, even for just a short while.” (Branswell, 5/17)
The Washington Post: Anne Schuchat, CDC’s No. 2 Official, Announces Plans To Retire This Summer
Schuchat categorically denied reports of tensions with CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, saying in an exchange of text messages: “Whoever told you that has no idea of the close relationship we have. She is a wonderful leader, colleague and now friend. I cannot even imagine having tensions with her!” (Sun, Abutaleb and Diamond, 5/17)
In related news about the CDC —
Politico: Mask Controversy Spurs CDC To Rethink Its Pandemic Response
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky is shaking up the agency’s Covid-19 response to consolidate oversight amid mounting criticism over its guidance for vaccinated people, according to three senior health officials with the knowledge of the situation. The changes in recent weeks include creating a clear reporting chain from the new director of the agency’s vaccine task force — which helped rewrite rules for mask-wearing — up to Walensky. The head of that task force had originally reported to both CDC and the White House. Walensky has also reshuffled the CDC’s pandemic modeling and data, analytics and visualization task forces. (Banco and Cancryn, 5/17)
CNN: The CDC Was Too Cautious About What Vaccinated People Can Do, Doctors Say. Now Pendulum Has Swung In The Opposite Direction
At first, the news sounded great: Fully vaccinated Americans don't need to wear masks indoors, with just some exceptions, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. But most of the country is not fully vaccinated. And as more businesses drop their mask mandates, it's impossible to tell who really is. (Maxouris, Yan and Vera, 5/18)
Fox News: Dr. Makary: 'Most Political CDC In History,' Guidance Based On 'Discretion' Not 'Science'
Johns Hopkins surgeon Dr. Marty Makary called out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under Biden appointee Rochelle Walensky as "the most political CDC in history," after recent guidance has led critics to question whether the agency was following science or political pressure in their recommendations. Makary, a Fox News contributor, told "The Story" on Monday that many people in the U.S. have taken the latest order suggesting vaccinated people can go out and about without a mask as "back to normal." (Creitz, 5/17)
