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Apr 4, 2025 Makena Kelly, a senior writer at WIRED who delves into the intersection of politics and technology, discusses the looming layoffs of 10,000 employees at the Department of Health and Human Services. She highlights the potential dangers these cuts pose to public health and safety. The conversation also covers the influence of Dogecoin on government dynamics, including how its rise mirrors political changes and raises concerns about privatization. Kelly critiques the treatment of constituents as customers, similar to Elon Musk’s approach at Twitter.
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HHS Layoffs
- HHS employees faced layoffs with little warning, causing high anxiety.
- Some employees learned about their termination when their building badges stopped working.
Impact of Layoffs
- Layoffs at the CDC and other agencies target essential, often overlooked workers.
- These cuts will likely have significant consequences, though not immediately obvious.
Programs Affected
- Cuts at the CDC affect vital programs like lead studies, HIV prevention, and reproductive health.
- Other affected areas include injury prevention research for high-risk occupations.