Abdul El-Sayed

Jon and Max answer your questions about AI, unions, writing and fallen titans — submersible and tech leader alike. Plus, America Dissected’s Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins Offline to talk about how the internet age endangers public health, how to persuade people to get vaccinated, and why debates are the wrong setting to talk about science, especially when RFK Jr. is involved. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. 

Dr. Abdul el-Sayed, an esteemed epidemiologist and Wayne County health officer, dives into the chaotic public health landscape unleashed by recent Trump administration orders. He discusses the halt of collaboration with the WHO and how this impacts the response to potential bird flu outbreaks. Dr. el-Sayed highlights growing vulnerabilities among healthcare workers and the dangers posed by political interference in health communications. The episode also touches on the disruptions in the Justice Department and the rise of the A.I. app DeepSeek, promising to revolutionize the tech market.

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and health officer in Michigan, discusses Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. El-Sayed emphasizes the dangers of RFK Jr.'s vaccine misinformation and its potential public health risks. He advocates for evidence-based vaccine policies and the need for empathetic dialogue to combat skepticism. The conversation also touches on political turmoil in France and significant current events affecting both U.S. and European political landscapes.

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed discusses the potential of a bird flu pandemic, highlighting the risks of transmission, pathogenicity, and immune evasion. The podcast explores the impacts on sea lions and chickens, delves into zoonotic illnesses and pandemics, and even explores the possible link between solar eclipses and flu strains.

In this engaging discussion, Abdul El-Sayed, a public health expert and former Detroit Health Department director, delves into the urgent implications of the Omicron variant and its global response. He critiques the ongoing vaccine inequity and highlights the disconnect between Big Pharma and public health priorities. The hosts explore ethical dilemmas surrounding political nepotism, including Jared Kushner's financial interests. Additionally, they confront the struggles for workers' rights amidst corporate power, making this conversation a compelling blend of politics and health.