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(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump has ordered a “blackout” for federal health authoritiesthat prohibits them from publishing external communications.
Agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Danish Food and Drug AdministrationThe National Institute for Health and the Department of Health and Human Services will not be allowed to publish scientific reports, issue health advisories, or update their websites.
the blackout, first reported by the Washington Postcomes at a time when experts are sounding the alarm about public health concerns.
During a change in administration, it is not uncommon for agencies to stop external communications. However, the blackout comes at a time of concern over public health issues and which Robert F. Kennedy Jr.nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, faces a potentially lengthy confirmation.
It was reported by CNN that a follow-up memo specified that the blackout is set to last through Feb. 1, and include public speaking engagements and communications with lawmakers. Communications deemed urgent, such as recall notices, or required by law are exempt, but superiors must be notified.
Another problem is the increased spread of bird flu. The virus has been spreads rapidly among birds, wreaking havoc on the poultry industry, and a strain has also circulated among livestock.
There has also been that cases of bird flu reported in humans. Most cases have been reported in agricultural workers, although there have also been cases where it is less clear how it was contracted.
While we continue to emphasize that the risk to the public is low and there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, the CDC recently advised hospitals to speed up testing for avian influenza in hospitalized patients, it is encouraged that subtype testing for those positive for influenza A be performed within hours of admission.
A blackout would cut off such advice and recommendations, leaving the public and health professionals in the dark about new developments.
The Senate has yet to set a confirmation date for Kennedy, though it has rushing to penetrate other Trump nominees. It is not clear whether this will affect the length of the blackout.
Kennedy’s nomination has been controversial even among Republicans, with Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a polio survivor, criticizes the effort by a lawyer working for Kennedy to revoke the approval of the polio vaccine.
A group associated with former Vice President Mike Pence has also begun running a series of ads urging Republican senators to oppose Kennedy’s nomination.
However, other Republican senators, including Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, have expressed support for Kennedy. Some of Kennedy’s critics have also supported aspects of his platform, including efforts to reduce some of the ingredients used in processed foods.
