As we watch from afar the Trump administration threatening its neighbours, and in due course our European neighbours, and perhaps the UK, we also find in our newspaper reports of the freezing of all aid funding and the like. In sohort things that affect those of us who live outside the USA. But Jan just came into my “office” to bring to my attention one indication of the vandalism of the new administration that will surely harm America’s own citizens.
Trained as a librarian to help researchers in the days of analogue information, I rely on Jan to research family medical information. Many of her preferred sources are American, such as the Mayo Clinic or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This morning she wanted to check on the CDC whether or not one should fast before taking a blood glucose blood test. She was shocked to find that enormous amounts of information of great importance to health professionals and members of the public have been removed. She mentioned information about vaccines, information for young people, for LGBT people, about HIV and the like.
In 40 years working and travelling in the USA, I learned to admire the expertise and rational expertise of the professions and of government agencies. What explanation can there for what has been done to the CDC website other than wanton vandalism that directly harms the people who elected this administration?
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