Diary Prequel Package — page 292

ll@einstein.yu.edu] 29 PM Boyce of NPR that said that I was going to expedite the lifting of the moratorium at the NYC meeting and the White House is worried that people will react to my "rushing" things. I told Heidi that this was nonsense and that in the NPR interview I meant that I wanted to expedite a conversation among the flu scientists to try to make their case, but they are not the only voice. We need input from the general public, other non-flu scientists, biosecurity and biosafety people and the global community before we again embark on experiments that some in the rest of the world may perceive could endanger them without input from them. Bottom line is that I told Heidi that I was going to recommend to the CEIRS scientists NOT to lift the moratorium. I suggested she tell the WH staff and the POTUS not to worry and that I will not sanction lifting the moratorium, Also on July 26, Pres. Obama held a reception at the White House East Room for HIV/AIDS "players" and stakeholders. I went straight from Heidi's office to the East Room. Obama gave his usual pep talk. Of note, he thanked the usual people (Pelosi, etc.) and also Eric Goosby (clearly deserved it) and Grant Kolfax the new WH AIDS coordinator who has been on the job for a couple of months. The POTUS speechwriter clearly is out of touch since he did not call me out is his speech to the amazement of many in the room. However, as Obama looked around the room as he was talking from notes, he saw me and clearly recognized me, but obviously could not remember my name and so stuttered a bit apart from his notes and thanked "people from NIH for their good work". I do not blame him for forgetting my name but his staff clearly is out of it. Speaking of names, Bush never would have forgotten. Just shows Obama's weak connection to the AIDS issue. But, to his credit, as he walked the "line" shaking hands afterward, he shook my hand and pointed to me saying "nice job". Whatever.... All in all a truly amazing week. Weather was sunny and hot all week. No rain; typical sunny, hot DC week. July 31, 2012 - Controversy continues regarding CEIRS investigators and the "moratorium" on H5N1 research (see immediately above meeting with Heidi Avery). I went to NYC to the Marquis Marriott Hotel on 46th and Broadway to address the investigators of the CEIRS (Centers of Excellence on Influenza research and Surveillance). We opened it to the Press and NPR (Nell Greenfield Boyce) and Science and Nature were there. I insisted that my presentation (25 minutes) be fully recorded as with the Qs and As so that there would be no misquotes. I made a firm argument for continuing the moratorium. The usual people opposed it such at Ron Fouchier, Danny Perez, Peter Palese; however they respected my opinion. They still do not "get it' and think with all the public furor that they can just go on and do these DURC experiment without full public by-in and comment. See my written remarks file for July 31, 2012. Also, I got great kudos from many investigators (see Arturo Casadevall's e-mail below). Also, great stories in NPR radio the next AM (Aug. 1) and in various blogs and Science, Nature, etc. From: Arturo Casadevall [mailto:arturo.casadevall@einstein.yu.edu] Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 1:29 PM