A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it
answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.
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April 13-23, 2013 - For the past several weeks there has been intense activity regarding the situation with H5N1. General press not really involved, but Helen Branswell (Canadian Press) and Laurie Garrett as well as some bloggers are stoking the flames and coming up with mischief. USG (NIH/HHS/Amy Patterson) have put together a letter point-by-point countering the crazy accusations in Mike Osterholm's letter. Big discussion at HHS/NSS about whether to have Sec. Sebelius officially accept the NSABB recommendations about publishing the 2 papers. Out of respect for the Dutch, State Department wants to wait until the April 23-24 meeting of the Dutch for the announcement. Real circus → White House (Heidi Avery) want us to release the acceptance now; Dutch are now saying that they may not allow Fouchier to resubmit the revised manuscript to Science without an export control license; Fouchier says that this is basic research that is not controlled by export control and so threatens to release it to Science anyway. He can theoretically face a fine and 6 years in jail. HHS releases Secretary Sebelius's acceptance on Friday afternoon, April 20; however, in order to halfway not offend the Dutch, they have Francis Collins announce on the NIH Website that the Secretary has accepted the recommendations of the NSABB to publish without her actually saying it. Meanwhile, the bloggers (Helen Branswell and others) are accusing the USG of releasing it on a slow news time (Friday afternoon). I know that this is clearly not the case since they have been trying to get it out for days, but the bureaucracy has held it up. I have a Senate Hearing coming up on April 26 where much of this will get hashed out. I am getting extremely stressed by all of this since the really bad outcome would be if biomedical research on dual use issues will be severely impeded by somewhat hysterical responses to things that really are non-issues. Most of the people (scientists or not) really do not understand the issues of ferret experiments and their limitations and the extremely unlikely possibility of a bioterror attack with flu compared to the importance of doing and communicating science to prepare against the natural emergence of pandemic influenza. Just to reiterate, there have been so many aspects of this "perfect storm" surrounding the manuscripts: 1) Ron Fouchier's original over-selling the scary nature of this "I have here one of the most dangerous viruses in the world" likely and innocently trying to push his research and the paper. 2) The NSABB amazingly mis-reading the papers to believe that the aerosol-transmitted virus actually killed the animals upon aerosol transmission instead of only after intra-tracheal insertion of 1 million IDs. 3) The demagoguery of Mike Osterholm and his probable bi-polar hysteria leading the uninformed NSABB members. 4) The relative lack of influenza expertise of the NSABB members. 5) The scientific "hubris" of the influenza community, i.e. Peter Palese who believes (correctly) and says (unfortunately) that the non-influenza people are clueless. 6) The relative weakness of Paul Keim (good guy) as a Chairperson. 7) The opportunistic news people (Branswell - Canadian Press and Phil Boffey - NY Times). 8) The occasional incompetency of Amy Patterson in dealing with the NSABB even though everyone in the USG thinks that she is doing a great job. 9) The "bioterror-industrial complex" who sees bioterrorists everywhere and whose jobs depend on the fear of bioterror (Thomas Ingelsby - think tank; Tara O'Toole - DHS; multiple Beltway bandit companies, etc.).
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April 14, 2013 -- Went with Chris to a book party at 3319 Newark Street, N.W. at home of Steve Pearlstein. Also hosted by Neera Tanden and Wendy Gray. It was for Zeke's new book "The Brothers Emanuel" about his and Ari and Rahm's growing up in Chicago. At the party met many of the usual DC crowd -- Nino Scalia, John Podesta, Walter Isaacson, Al Hunt, Gene Sperling, etc.
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April 15, 2013 -- A day of infamy! Two bombs go off near finish line at the Boston Marathon. 3 killed and 176 wounded. Many legs were blown off. Horrible pictures taken by iPhones. Clearly an act of terror. Not known who or why yet. Stay tuned.
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April 16, 2013 -- Met with Francis in my weekly 1-on-1 and mentioned that the situation with HHS and their muzzling me from the press is unacceptable and he offered to talk with HHS people. He agrees with me. Harold Varmus tells me that he does not even ask permission to do press. He just does it and then informs HHS. He says: "If they do not like it, they can fire me". I believe that if Francis's efforts fail, I will start doing that. Latest count of H7N9 in China today is 78 cases and 16 deaths.
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2013-04-17 00:00
Anthony S. Fauci
April 17, 2013 - Went to Princeton to deliver the Gilbert Omenn Lecture at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Spoke on "Ending the HIV/AIDS Pandemic: From Scientific Advances to Public Health Implementation". Hosted by Cecilia (Ceci) Rouse formerly on the economic team in the Clinton and Obama White House.
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April 19, 2013 - Terrorists identified by surveillance cameras. Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Two Muslim brothers born in Chechnya. Older one recently spent about 6 months in Chechnya, likely getting trained in terrorism. Most intensive manhunt in US history around Boston Area. Entire city of Boston shut-down. Wild car chases and gun battles. Terrorist murder campus policeman at MIT and seriously wound another policeman. Tamerlan shot dead; Dzhokhar escapes, seriously wounded, ultimately captured in Watertown MA.
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April 21, 2013 - Informed by Francis Collins that he spoke with Bill Corr (Deputy HHS Secretary) about the issue of my being muzzled, almost certainly because Tom Frieden and the CDC want the spotlight on the H7N9 story. Corr agrees with Francis that I should always be allowed to speak to Press (Print/TV/Radio) when they directly ask for me. Let us see how this turns out. Also, it is clear now that I have joined the 2x/week conference calls with HHS that CDC really wants to be in control even though I believe they are missing important stuff. For example, they are claiming that they cannot detect the virus in chickens, likely because the PCR assay is specific, but not sensitive. I just found out from the CEIRS people (including Mike Osterholm) that the Chinese are looking in the wrong place. The cloacal swabs are negative, but there are tons of virus in the trachea swabs. Case now well over 100 and counting. The Chinese need to start massive culling of chicken or the virus might adapt itself to humans after many dead-end jumps.
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April 22, 2013 - Cases of H7N9 continue to accumulate. First case in Taiwan. HHS is now clearing me for press (see above); however, there have not been any requests from major network and so still not clear what will happen. I have decided without question to defy them if they try to muzzle me, which I do not believe they will now that Francis has spoken with Bill Corr; but we shall see. Had dinner with Bob Gallo tonight and discussed the upcoming Paris meeting sponsored by the Pasteur institute (Francois Barre-Sinoussi) to celebrate 30th Anniversary of discovery of HIV by the French. Bob is scheduled to give an after dinner speech. I stressed that he should behave and not re-hash old issues. Also, Bob told me that he and Joe O'Neill are writing a book about the history of AIDS and they want to devote a chapter to me. This is nice, but now it is clear that I must write my book and do it soon. Will get advice from David Willman (L.A. Times) and Rick Atkinson (author of World War II books) - both Pulitzer Prize winners on how to proceed. Also, will contact Ari Emanuel's Book person. > 126 cases and 24
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April 25, 2013 - Went to reception at the home of Sen. Jay and Sharon Rockefeller to celebrate 10 years of service and retirement of Amy Lawson as CEO of DC Prep (where Jenny taught). Amazing home - 2121 Park Road, N.W. Had chance to chat with the Senator about NIH.