The Dream Just A Bunch Of Nerds Who Want To Help
Oct 24, 2025
Rachel, an anonymous CDC microbiologist, sheds light on the devastating impact of recent funding cuts and political pressures on public health. She shares her harrowing experiences during the Atlanta CDC shooting, revealing how it shattered morale and altered workplace safety protocols. The growing distrust in experts and the threats to scientific integrity are discussed, highlighting the urgency of better science communication. Rachel's commitment to public health shines through as she emphasizes the dire need for support in the face of looming challenges.
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From Childhood Tuberculosis Fan To CDC Microbiologist
- Rachel describes her lifelong dream to work in science and how she achieved a job at the CDC.
- She insists on anonymity because working there now feels dangerous due to threats and politicization.
Procurement Chaos Harms Lab Work
- Administrative funding freezes and new procurement hoops have delayed simple lab purchases and diagnostics.
- Rachel warns these changes prevented timely testing and stalled research runs like sequencing.
Public Health Funding Follows Politics
- Public health funding ebbs after crises and shifts with politics, creating unstable priorities.
- Rachel emphasizes public health covers diverse issues from chronic disease to environmental hazards, so cuts ripple widely.