CDC Chaos: Workers Caught in a Whirlwind of Layoffs and Confusion

The CDC has been in a state of chaos, with employees facing repeated layoffs and reinstatements. Aryn Melton Backus, a CDC worker, has been through this cycle three times this year alone. The latest round of layoffs, which occurred during the government shutdown, has left many employees in limbo, unsure of their future with the agency. The layoffs have not been without controversy. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has called them illegal, and a lawsuit has been filed to stop them. Despite this, a quarter of the CDC's workforce has been cut. Some employees who were working without pay during the shutdown received layoff notices, while others who were furloughed learned they would never return to their jobs. The layoffs have had a significant impact on the CDC's ability to function. Entire departments have been eliminated, including the ethics office and the institutional review board. The library staff, which plays a crucial role in research and recommendations, has also been terminated. The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the national health and nutrition examination survey, and the staff focused on suicide prevention have all suffered layoffs. The situation at the CDC has been made worse by a lack of leadership. Abigail Tighe, a former CDC employee, has stated that there are no public health or medical professionals left at the highest level of leadership to guide CDC recommendations. This has led to a lack of direction and a sense of disarray among employees. The layoffs have also taken a toll on employees' mental health. A gunman fired 500 rounds of ammunition at the CDC headquarters in August, killing an officer and traumatizing agency employees and their families. Employees have also been doxed, with their identities and personal information revealed. The first round of layoffs at the CDC came on Valentine's Day, with probationary employees and established senior employees receiving notices. A judge ruled in September that the probationary terminations went too far, and some of the employees were reinstated and placed on administrative leave. However, the confusion and chaos have continued, with employees unsure of their future with the agency. The layoffs have been described as a "stunning level of incompetency" by John Brooks, a retired CDC employee. The Trump administration has reportedly stated that about 700 of the terminations were a coding error, but this has been disputed by former employees. The situation at the CDC is uncertain and frightening, with former employees calling for Congress to step in.