Dozens of state and local public health leaders were fired or fired during the coronavirus pandemic, according to an analysis by the Associated Press and the Kaiser Health News Service reported on Monday.
Several health experts left the office after being harshly criticized, threatened with violence and in some cases simply suffered burns after the storm in recent months, the AP reported.
The analysis found that in 23 states, at least 49 state and local health leaders have been fired, retired or fired since April, when the U.S. outbreak hit high, including more than 20 since June.
One of the most recent health leaders to leave office was California Public Health Director Sonia Angell, who stop abruptly Sunday afternoon after data glitches delayed the processing of up to 300,000 coronavirus-related records. The mistakes may have prompted officials to significantly undercount the number of confirmed cases in the state as discussions about resumption of schools and businesses occurred.
Much of the departure is related to the ongoing debates over masks and social distancing guidelines, said Lori Tremmel Freeman, the CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.
Several health officials cited family grounds and new job offers at other agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as reasons to leave.
However, others have pointed to stressful work environments where they work too hard, are underpaid and are sometimes harassed by the public.
Freeman said the departure is likely to be disruptive to fighting the pandemic.
‘We’re moving here at breakneck speed to stop a pandemic, and you can not afford to hit the pause button and say,’ We’ll change the lead here and we’ll get back to you after we hire someone. , ” she said.
The New York City Health Commissioner Last week dismissal, claimed that Mayor Bill de Blasio
Bill de BlasioDozens of state, local health leaders fired or fired in midday from pandemic: report The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by the Air Line Pilots Association – Key 48 hours slow as negotiators push for relief compensation Overnight health care: Fauci says family threats | Modern to load a dose for his vaccine | NYC adds checkpoints to enforce quarantine MORE (D) does not prioritize medical expert advice.
Amy Acton, director of state health, Ohio went off last month after GOP lawmakers intended to seize power and armed protesters arrived at their homes.
The then Commissioner of Public Health in West Virginia was Cathy Slemp forced to resign in June after Gov. Jim Justice (R) said there were inconsistencies in state data.
The US has confirmed more than 5 million cases of coronavirus and at least 163,331 deaths since the start of the pandemic, more than any other country, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
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