A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it
answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.
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Nov. 23, 2005 - Press activity still very heavy. I appeared today on the Diane Rehm Show and CNN's "The Situation Room". Michael Osterholm sent me an e-mail saying that he was concerned that I was saying on the air that the probability of an H5N1 pandemic this winter is low. He says that "health reporters" are e-mailing saying that I am giving confusing messages. I am absolutely certain that the "health reporter" in question is Laurie Garrett who is inherently hysterical. I am disappointed in Michael since it is very clear that I am saying that the probability of a pandemic (in the broad sense - any new virus) occurring is very high based on historical precedence. However, the probability of there being an H5N1 pandemic of the scale of the 1918 Influenza over the next month or two is low. NONETHELESS, we must assume the worse case scenario and prepare as if it will happen in its worse form and it will happen soon. I have been very consistent about this. I am actually asking the actuarial and probability people like Don Burke to figure out if we can add some science to this concept.
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Nov. 25, 2005 - HHS Flu Summit for States will take place on Dec. 5. Julie Gerberding and I are at collegial "odds" with the DHHS people (Laura Lawlor and John Ogwanobi) in that we feel that the Department and the CDC specifically should be the first ones discussing the Plan. The Agenda as of today has MOL (as appropriate) speaking and then we bring on Rajeev from HSC, Jeff Runge from DHS, a person from DoA. Julie does not come on until after lunch. Even I (speaking on the science of flu as I usually do) come on before Julie. There is already concern in Congress and in the Press as to "who is in charge". I feel that the CDC should be right up front on this. HHS and MOL are is charge, but the major health instrument for preparedness and response is the CDC.
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Nov. 26-30, 2005 - Media continues for me with Lou Dobbs, CNN Wolf Blitzer (The Situation Room), WTOP radio, CBS News, etc. regarding bird flu. The preparation of DHHS for the States Flu Summit on Dec. 5 is a major mess. Laura Lawlor somehow has taken over the preparation and it seems that no one knows what we are supposed to do. MOL has taken a major interest in a 75 city tour of himself, Julie, me and perhaps others to tell the States of their "responsibility" to be prepared locally for a pandemic flu. Every time this subject comes up, the States push back by saying that they have no money and the Federal Government is giving them an unfunded mandate. What I see is a clear example of a Secretary who is a good person who has gotten too personally involved in an issue and who is doing some of the planning off the top of his head and as a result there really is no one truly in charge of making sure something is done correctly. Everyone on his staff (John Ogwanobi, Suzy DeFrancis, Kerry Weems, etc.) is afraid to say that the 50 states tour is likely to be a disaster. They are like a Greek Chorus telling him in this case that it is a good idea. They do not know what the goal is or even why they are doing it. I strongly suspect that Suzy DeFrancis deep-down thinks that this is a campaign swing and , frankly, MOL does also to some degree. I have told Stewart Simonson and Bruce Gellin that I feel it would be a disaster. I do not want to be a part of it and have asked Stewart to tell Rich McKeown this. Rich is the most sensible one there and so hopefully I can get out of most or all of the tour. They want me for my credibility, but this is local and state public health stuff, which is not my area. Also, I am hearing that the White House knows how disorganized they are and are getting anxious The attacks in the press on Stewart Simonson seem to be winding down, but Sarah Luecke of the WSJ will be coming out with a big article. I have spoken to her and hopefully she will give a balanced story.
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Dec. 1, 2005 - World AIDS day. I was invited by the White House to be a Principal at the POTUS Speech (EEOB 450). As with last year, the POTUS specifically recognized me as being in the audience for all of the work that I have done in AIDS. Peter Mugyenyi from Uganda was there as was an AIDS mother from South Africa and her 2 children who had benefited from the PEPFAR program.. Had coffee with Julie Gerberding after the ceremony at Starbuck's on Pennsylvania Avenue and she feels exactly the way I do about the States Summit and the "tour" (see above).
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2005-12-02 00:00
Anthony S. Fauci
Dec. 2, 2005 - Had pre-Table Top preparation at HHS with MOL, Julie Gerberding, Stewart Simonson, Bill Raub, Bruce Gellin, Jesse Goodman, Rich McKeon and the entire DHHS staff. I have concern over these exercise since they are unrealistic and always make everyone look bad. I tried to interject some common sense into the discussions, but there were too many people who were acting like they knew what they were talking about. I generally do not like those "group" briefings of the Secretary since everyone trials to look smart and few people have a clue of what is going on. That evening, went to an incredible affair at the Kennedy Center with Christine. It was the Grand Opening of the Family Theater sponsored by the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Series for Artistic Excellence. After the show which included extraordinary superstars, we had dinner on the stage of the Eisenhower Theater!!. It was incredibly elegant and all the Washington Glitterati were there. At my table with Chris was David Rubenstein of the Carlyle Group, Super-Attorney Bob Barnett, UNICEF President Ann Veneman, Former Sen. John Breaux (D-La), Rita Braver (producer for CBS). At the dinner were every media and politico you could imagine. The dinner was amazing and we all had a great time.
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Dec. 5, 2005 - Big meeting ("Summit") at the Grand Hyatt in DC to roll out the plan to visit all 50 states to talk up pandemic flu preparedness. Present were health officers of the big cities and all the states. Presentations by MOL, Julie Gerberding, me and the usual cast of characters. I am very anxious since MOL wants to take me with him on the tour to visit 75 locations in all 50 states to talk up preparedness. I just do not have time for this. Stewart Simonson and even Rich McKeown are aware of this and are trying to get me out of it. However, MOL is so enamored of me that he wants me with him.
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Dec. 6, 2005 - Strange article (Profile of me) on the front page of the Wall Street Journal by Bernie Wysocki. It made it look like I have 100s of millions of dollars of biodefense money that I dole out at my whim to contractors. The article was very likely (almost certainly) instigated by the lobbyists from BioPort (AVA anthrax vaccine) and from Hollis Eden (countermeasures for rad/nuc) who want contract money and did not get it. The article was extremely confusing since it mixed up what we do (research) and what HHS does (procure via BioShield). Also, it made it look like there was no peer review and that I just hand out money to the "Fauci Club".
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Dec. 16, 2005 Paradoxically, mostly favorable responses to the WSJ article. Most people interpreted it as indicating that I was a powerful player. Publicity dying down about bird flu around holidays. MOL went on the first of the State trips to Minnesota. With the help of Rich McKeown, I got out of the trip. Julie Gerberding went and feels as I do that these series of trips will be a waste of time for us. Article came out in WSJ by Sarah Lueck on Stewart Simonson with major quote by me defending him. It was a fair article and will likely reverse the trend of bad press that he has been getting as being the "Michael Brown of Public Health preparedness". Went to the VP's mansion for a Christmas Party on Dec. 15 and then went to Lessons and Carols at the National Cathedral right afterwards. Took Stewart Simonson and his parents (who are in town for the holidays).
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Dec. 16-31, 2005 - Reasonably calm. Still doing press regularly related to pandemic flu. On Dec. 27, 28, 29 did Today Show, Good Morning America, and CNN "The Situation Room", respectively. Bush popularity polls going up slightly after a terrible year related to Iraq, prison abuses, Valerie Plume leak (Scooter Libby, Karl Rove), Katrina, etc. POTUS speaking more to the press and admitting more that certain things have not gone well. Am still trying to be low profile in requirement to travel with MOL on his 50 State tour.