CDC assailant attributes depression to COVID vaccine; labor group calls for declaration opposing misinformation dissemination
In a shocking turn of events, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta was the site of a shooting incident on Friday. The perpetrator, identified as Patrick Joseph White, had a fixation on the COVID-19 vaccine, according to law enforcement officials and a neighbor.
White, a Georgia man, reportedly believed the vaccine caused him physical health problems such as weight loss, swallowing difficulties, and gastrointestinal issues. He viewed the media and government as not truthfully reporting these effects, leading to his distrust and anger toward the vaccine. This distrust and anger became a significant part of his motive for the shooting.
Tragically, White died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the incident. Prior to the shooting, he had opened fire on the sprawling CDC campus, leaving bullet marks in windows and causing damage to at least four CDC buildings.
The shooting sent shockwaves through the CDC community, particularly as thousands of people who work on critical disease research are employed on the campus. Among them are more than 90 young children who were locked down inside the CDC's Clifton School during the shooting.
In response to the incident, DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, a former Marine who served in Afghanistan, was mortally wounded while responding to the shooting.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations described the crime scene as "complex" and stated that the investigation would take an extended period of time. The union representing CDC employees called for "perimeter security on all campuses" until the investigation is fully completed and shared with staff.
In a bid to prevent such incidents in the future, the union also called for a clear and unequivocal statement from the CDC and leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services condemning vaccine disinformation.
A neighbor of White, Nancy Hoalst, stated that White spoke with her multiple times about his distrust of COVID-19 vaccines in unrelated conversations. Hoalst never believed White would be violent and was surprised to learn he had opened fire on the CDC campus.
The incident has also sparked concern from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who reached out to CDC staff on Saturday, expressing concern over violence against them while working to protect the health of others.
Meanwhile, a group of laid-off CDC employees, Fired But Fighting, accused Kennedy of villainizing the CDC's workforce through his statements about science and vaccine safety.
The union stated that such a public statement is necessary to help prevent violence against scientists and to reinforce public trust in accurate, science-based information.
[1] Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution [2] Source: CNN [3] Source: ABC News
- The Seattle government may need to consider increasing security measures at local healthcare facilities, such as the University of Washington Medical Center, after the shooting incident at the CDC in Atlanta.
- The climate of distrust towards the government and medical community, as evidenced by the shooting at the CDC, has led to a need for CDC employees in Seattle to prioritize mental health and wellness.
- The latest general news reports about the shooting at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta have raised concerns for Washington State residents about the safety of healthcare workers and the potential spread of disinformation.
- In the wake of the shooting, the Seattle Police Department's crime and justice division has launched an investigation into the possible links between anti-vaccine sentiment and acts of violence against healthcare workers.
- The Seattle Times, a local news outlet, has covered the WHO's global climate report, emphasizing the importance of addressing climate change to improve public health and combat the rising rates of mental health issues.
- Seattle's King County has declared a public health emergency due to the increase in drug-related crimes and overdoses, calling for more funding and resources to be allocated to the health and wellness sector for substance abuse treatment programs.
