CDC Mutual Aid Network

Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) today, reacting to Trump hinting that the government might not pay furloughed Federal workers when the shutdown ends: “It’s not up to the president."
👏 We love to see Senators upholding Federal law and protecting Federal workers!
thehill.com/homenews/sen...

We're collecting resources for furloughed CDC workers (and other feds!) on our new Shutdown Survival Guide page. Check it out (and let us know if we've missed something!) www.cdcresourceportal.org/resources/sh...

Thank you, current and former federal employees!

Source TT @democracyfwd
DemocracyForward.org

We stand with federal employees and families bearing the weight of the shutdown, and those feeling effects at every level of our government. You deserve better.

That said, we all know that this shutdown is a GOP distraction and self-own. Never interrupt your opponent when they’re making a mistake.

And of course, you can also support the CDC Mutual Aid Network through our store: cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me Every purchase includes a contribution to the CDC Mutual Aid Network! 7/7

For people who want to support fired, RIFed, and furloughed CDC staff: There has literally NEVER been a better time to donate to the CDC Mutual Aid Network! www.cdcresourceportal.org/donate 6/7

We will be adding some more shutdown-specific materials tomorrow once the shutdown officially starts. 5/x

The CDC Mutual Aid Network will be here for CDC staff in the case of an extended shutdown and accompanying furlough. Please visit our Portal to learn more, to find resources, and to apply for assistance: www.cdcresourceportal.org/home 4/x

For folks who work in public health and healthcare and rely on the CDC's experts for advice and assistance, you may notice slow or no responses while the government is shut down. Please be patient and kind to any folks who continue working - this is a tough situation for all of them. 3/x

The remaining 35% of CDC staff will work to ensure that CDC's life-saving activities will continue. Based on previous experience, the majority of these employees who remain working will also likely not be paid beyond the next paycheck, unless we are lucky enough to have a short shutdown. 2/x

Welp, it looks like we are indeed heading for a shutdown of the Federal Government. The majority (65%) of CDC staff will be furloughed without pay for the duration of the shutdown. (Per HHS Contingency Staffing Plans: www.hhs.gov/about/budget...) 1/x

🚨Fed PSA🚨

Print off employee docs before the shut down.

CDC’s union (AFGE2883) has put together a RIF guide detailing what docs may be needed if firings occur: www.afge2883ga.org/_files/ugd/9...

More info on joining AFGE👉https://afge2883ga.org

Check furlough status👉 wcps.cdc.gov (intranet only)

Questions about vaccines for children? There's a free, virtual town hall with CDC alumni @drdemetre.bsky.social this week:

Image that says "There's nothing SPOOKIER than a future without CDC" in black, orange, and blue text. The words are surrounded illustrations of a bat, black cat, ghost, spider & spider web, and a rat.

Someone in our CDC fam said "There's nothing spookier than a future without CDC" this week, so we had to make some art about it.

So... What do YOU think is the spookiest part of a future without CDC?

Image features a soy wax candle in a glass jar. The candle label features a messy filing cabinet with papers flying everywhere, and a pile of papers on fire. The label reads "Smells like DATA CHAOS"

A white mug with green handle and inside; Text of the mug says "FAFO IS NOT A GOOD PUBLIC HEALTH STRATEGY" on both sides of the mug.

Our CDC Mutual Aid Network merch store is live. Featuring products designed by CDC artists! cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me All proceeds will go to recently fired or RIFed CDC employees.

A person with melanated skin holds a coffee mug with two hands. The mug has an image of an umbrella with the words "Public Health Protects Us All" written under it.

A green t-shirt with a colorful bar graph and the words "That wasn't very data-driven of you" across the chest

The back of a grey car with a square bumpersticker that reads "NO QUACKS AT HHS." In the center fo the bumper sticker is an image of a duck on a yellow background with a red X symbol.

Also: We're about to launch a new way to support the CDC Mutual Aid Fund. 👀 Watch this space!! #PublicHealthProtectsUsAll #NoQuacksAtHHS #DataDriven #Merch

Over 400 people have donated to our fund to help support thousands of fired and RIFed CDC workers. With the potential of the government shutdown looming next week (and possibly another round of RIFs 😖) - Your support is needed now more than ever! www.cdcresourceportal.org/donate #SaveCDC

Dr. Debra Houry, former Chief Medical Officer and Dep. Director, CDC: “He’s becoming dangerous to the health of our nation.” | The CommonHealth | CSIS Podcasts Dr. Debra Houry joined the podcast, following her resignation from CDC on August 25, upon the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez, and shortly after her September 17 testimony before the Senate HELP ...

“He’s (Secretary Kennedy) becoming dangerous to the health of our nation”- my conversation on the Common Health podcast with @csis.org about recent times at the CDC and reflections from the Senate hearing

The disappearance of America’s leadership class at a time like this means that the rest of us have to be leaders. We can no longer wait to be led by those with the power and authority to lead. You must lead, I must lead, all of us must lead. We are the leaders we’ve been waiting for.

In a late-night email, CDC revoked remote work accommodations for employees with disabilities—without explanation. This illegal move forces workers to choose between health and jobs.

Blanket bans are harmful and unlawful.

When rights are stripped from some, protections for all are weakened.

With the CDC Senate hearing tomorrow and the ACIP Meeting Thursday & Friday.... we might need 3 Emergency Caturdays in a row 🫠

We'll be tuning in to this livestream tomorrow morning to hear two former CDC leaders, Dr. Susan Monarez and @drdebhoury.bsky.social, testify in front of the US Senate. Will you be watching too?

Fired CDC director who clashed with RFK Jr. set to testify in Senate The hearing would give Susan Monarez a high-profile opportunity to respond to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claims about her ethics and their conversations about vaccines.

Alert! Mark Calendars for Sept 17. Dr Monarez will be testifying in front of Congress, along with @drdebhoury.bsky.social.

We will be watching. We know they will speak truth to power.
Enjoy this gifted article.

Get popcorn & drinks on your grocery list now.
#saveHHS #USAnotRFK #savepublichealth

Since January 2025, thousands of dedicated CDC workers have been fired without warning. We're raising $$ to support them with direct financial assistance. Help us reach our $75,000 goal by the end of September: cdcresourceportal.org/donate

#IStandwiththeCDC #CDCMutualAidNetwork #PublicHealth

We use Zeffy for our Mutual Aid Fund, it's been a good experience so far! www.cdcresourceportal.org/donate

Thrilled to see our friends at @firedbutfighting.bsky.social growing and expanding!!

Hi Bluesky👋 We're the CDC Mutual Aid Network. We exist to serve and support current and recently RIFed/fired CDC staff/contractors/fellows, and the wider #publichealth community. You can learn more about us and find resources at: www.cdcresourceportal.org

‘Americans should be alarmed’: Experts say loss of expertise at CDC will harm US health Top officials exited agency under RFK Jr’s leadership, and his anti-vax beliefs have dismayed medical community

Here's how high-profile departures and widespread layoffs at the CDC will affect our health.

Tldr: "Americans should be alarmed," a former top official said.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

In response to the recent violence towards public health professionals and the CDC community, Christopher D. Jones, PhD, LCSW, an experienced trauma therapist & former CDC leadership. will lead a free group to support those impacted.

Register: chris@eastatlantacounseling.com