Diary Prequel Package — page 310

Latest count of H7N9 in China today is 78 cases and 16 deaths. 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. 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. 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. 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.