What Next | Daily News and Analysis
TBD | Where DOGE Is Taking Us
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.
31:04
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Quick takeaways
- The abrupt layoffs at HHS, driven by DOGE's efficiency goals, threaten essential public health programs and services.
- Poor communication regarding the layoffs has created an atmosphere of distrust and anxiety among remaining employees at HHS.
Deep dives
Impact of Layoffs on Public Health
Thousands of federal workers at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) faced abrupt layoffs, significantly affecting crucial public health programs. For instance, departments like the CDC, which oversees pivotal initiatives such as environmental health and HIV prevention, experienced drastic staffing cuts, leaving many essential services compromised. The uncertainty surrounding the extent of these cuts led to anxiety among employees, as communication from leadership remained vague, causing confusion and unrest. This loss of personnel could lead to dire consequences, including increased mortality rates due to the reduction in public health oversight.
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