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WHITE PLAINS CITIZENS BE CAREFUL ON DRIVEWAYS, PARKING LOTS, SIDEWALKS THIS MORNING. SNOW HAS MELTED AND COATED BLACK TOP DRIVES AND PATHS TO HOUSES WITH A SHEET OF HARD TO SEE ICE. YOU CAN”T SEE IT UNTIL YOU SLIP OUT OF CONTROL
FEBRUARY 25–THE NEW CDC DIRECTOR’S CHALLENGE FROM MATT WILLIS YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST
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The test of open dialogue
In the face of Jay Bhattacharya as the new CDC Director
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I (Katelyn Jetelina) handed over the reins to Dr. Matt Willis today. For those of you who don’t know Matt, he’s served as a primary care physician, CDC epidemiologist, and public health officer for Marin County, where he guided the pandemic response. He writes the YLE California newsletter. Matt, take it away…
The federal government has appointed an interim director of the CDC, and it turns out to be the same person who leads the NIH: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. For now, one man sits atop the two most important scientific agencies responsible for our nation’s health.
It also happens to be the person I debated after the pandemic, about the pandemic. That experience shapes how I see this moment—and why I believe the real test of his leadership has already begun.
Jay’s ride from professor to NIH and CDC Director
A Stanford physician and economist, Jay became nationally known for co-authoring the Great Barrington Declaration (GBD). That declaration and the response to it have defined his public identity and, in some ways, shaped the American pandemic experience.
The document was brief but explosive. In October 2020, its authors argued that the U.S. was mishandling Covid-19. Instead of broad restrictions, they proposed “focused protection”: isolate those at highest risk, especially older adults, while allowing widespread transmission among everyone else so herd immunity could develop through infection. In their view, lockdowns, mask mandates, and other measures were causing more harm than good.
But public health leaders’ tolerance for undermining pandemic control measures was low. I admit, it was low for me. The proposal was ethically, epidemiologically, and logistically challenging. At that time, the U.S. was losing more than 1,000 people a day, hospitals were strained, there was no vaccine, data were incomplete, and we were making decisions under extraordinary uncertainty.
But what followed became just as consequential as the declaration itself.
Jay was invited to the White House, and his idea and prominence spread. Over the months and years, Jay became a symbol of resistance to the public health establishment. He spoke frequently about the need for open scientific debate and the dangers of censorship. (Communications later revealed that former NIH Director Francis Collins wrote to Anthony Fauci that the declaration needed “swift and devastating published take down of its premises.”) Jay became a celebrity scientist for the political right, running on a platform of scientific free speech. He was invited to give many talks, as shown in the flyer below.
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A flyer from a 2024 lecture. Does he still mean it?
The debate
Then I received a call in 2024: will you engage with Jay in a public conversation about public health authority?
It was Braver Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging divides between red and blue America. I accepted. I later learned I was the sixth person asked to represent a public health perspective; the first five declined. This, in itself, says something. As much as we lament the divides, we also resist the conversations that might bridge them. The event was held in Kenosha, Wisconsin, symbolically between Chicago and Milwaukee, where the two parties were holding their national conventions.
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Braver Angels Conference, June 2024. Still smiling after our debate.
When I met Jay in Kenosha, we had mutual connections and some basis for respectful conversation. During the pandemic, as a public health officer, I created a monthly meeting with a group of researchers close to Jay who questioned Covid-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates. While we didn’t always agree, I gained a perspective I wasn’t getting elsewhere. Ultimately, this helped me and this community balance the complex trade-offs between the physical, mental, and social harms wrapped up in pandemic response.
Coming out of the pandemic, I knew it was critical for me to learn from mistakes and listen to contrary views, so we could all do better next time. The goal of Braver Angels is to seek to understand, and not retreat into our echo chambers.
From Jay, I learned that he believed pandemic policies were harming communities and that those harms were being minimized. He felt his ideas were dismissed—labeled unscientific, treated as illegitimate, blacklisted. In his words, I heard the feelings of so many Americans who felt talked down to or excluded from decisions affecting their lives.
From me, I hope he heard that public health officials weren’t acting from a desire for control, but from the responsibility placed in us, while death rates climbed daily. I described the weight of pandemic policymaking, when at best it’s a choice between competing harms. Close schools or risk viral spread—you choose. Jay acknowledged that those were hard calls to make and that, as an academic at the time, he was glad he didn’t have to make them.
We disagreed a lot. But there’s nothing like sitting down with someone when the goal is to understand one another’s viewpoint to create connections you wouldn’t have imagined were possible.
One of the unexpected points of connection was personal. Both Jay and I had received personal attacks—not just critiques of our ideas, but threats. We had both seen our names dragged through social media, headlines, and commentaries. We talked about the toll that takes—on our wives and children, on the quiet spaces of private life. And we agreed that was no way to conduct civic dialogue.
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In that exchange, something shifted. We didn’t change each other’s conclusions, but we did see one another as people rather than positions. If Americans are going to move beyond our divides in science—whether over vaccines, climate change, or anything else—it won’t be because one side defeats the other. It will be because we learn to disagree and debate without dehumanizing each other.
That shared belief is why this moment matters
A lot has changed since then. Jay now leads those federal institutions. He’s part of an administration that’s narrowing debate and transparency rather than expanding it:
- Public comment at Health and Human Services has been largely removed.
- Advisory boards like ACIP have been reconstituted wholesale without the standard engagement with scientists within the agency.
- The top ultra-processed foods scientist was fired from NIH for refusing to bend his results to fit an agenda.
- Long-standing medical evidence, like the routine childhood immunization schedule, has been replaced without explanation, new evidence, or open discussion.
- Materials on issues such as climate change and health equity have been removed from federal websites.
- Advisory processes have shifted in ways that limit independent review. Senior officials have departed or been dismissed amid concerns that scientific integrity was being subordinated to political alignment.
The irony is difficult to ignore: a scientist who rose to prominence by arguing that dissent was suppressed now oversees agencies that suppress dissent of a different kind.
This is Jay’s defining leadership test.
In Kenosha, Jay argued that open scientific dialogue is essential to democracy. He warned against reflexively labeling alternative views as misinformation. He insisted that debate strengthens institutions rather than weakens them.
Jay Bhattacharya now holds extraordinary authority. He has long argued for expanding the space for scientific disagreement and, in turn, increasing trust. The country will now see whether he expands that space for others, including those who disagree with him.
It is one thing to call for open dialogue when you feel excluded. It is another thing to protect it when you are in charge.
The standard Jay once demanded of public health now rests with him.
And the country will be watching.
Dr. Matt Willis is the author of Your Local Epidemiologist in California. A California native, he’s served as a primary care physician, CDC epidemiologist, and public health officer for Marin County, where he guided the pandemic response. Subscribe to his newsletter— YLE California— here.
Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) is founded and operated by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist, wife. YLE reaches more than 425,000 people in 132 countries with one goal: “Translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade belo
FEBRUARY 24– ENDANGERMENT FINDING. STUDENT FEDERAL FUNDING EFFECTS–FROM YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST
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Enjoying this newsletter? Why not share it with a friend? Endangerment Finding, bird flu, what counts as professional degrees, and moreThe Dose (Feb 24)
Northeast folks, I hope you have a lot of hot chocolate on hand. YLE team members are sending me pictures of snowbanks taller than small children. Stay strong! And be careful shoveling snow. (Not so fun fact: hundreds of thousands of people end up in the hospital after shoveling snow; extreme physical exertion and freezing temperatures can hit your heart hard.) While many of you are digging out, literally, major federal decisions are reshaping the systems that affect your health. Whether public health and nursing degrees “count” for federal aid, to the rollback of environmental health protections (and the major tensions at play), to an increase in bird flu cases, this week’s Dose spans workforce, air, outbreaks, and, as always, some good news, too. And there are things you can do. Let’s dig in. Action item: Want your degree to count? Submit a comment.Students in public health, nursing, social work, and physician assistant programs (and many other essential fields) are at risk of losing access to adequate federal student aid under a new rule proposed by the Department of Education. You can help by sharing your story before a public comment deadline on March 2. What’s happening? Last year, the One Big Beautiful Bill set a new limit on federal student loans for graduate students, capping per-student lending at $100,00—unless you’re a student in a “professional degree program.” Professional students are eligible for up to $200,000 in federal loans. But what counts as a professional degree? In November, the Department of Education agreed on a draft definition that included just 11 programs: pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, theology, and clinical psychology. Several essential fields—public health, nursing, social work, physician assistant programs, engineering, and others—were removed from that list. What this means for students: If this stands, students in these programs could lose access to federal financial aid. Specifically, lower borrowing limits that won’t cover students’ real costs, fewer scholarship pathways, and limited eligibility for loan-repayment programs. What this means for public health: It will make it harder to enter these careers at a time when our country needs more of these professionals. The broader consequences are significant: fewer trained professionals, more barriers for students from low-income backgrounds, and added strain on already stretched health and social systems. What you can do: Submit a public comment supporting an expanded definition of professional programs. Take note: The Department of Education’s 30-day public comment period ends March 2! Link: https://www.regulations.gov/document/ED-2025-OPE-0944-0001 There are instructions at that link, but here are some more tips:
2. Keep it simple and kind.
3. We’re stronger when we act together.
Endangerment Finding repeal knocks down public health guardrailsIf 2025 was the year of rollbacks on public health infrastructure, 2026 seems to be the year of rollbacks on environmental health protections. Those that were designed to keep our air clean, our water safe, and toxic chemicals out of our homes. One of the latest changes: the Endangerment Finding (2009) was rescinded. This is the scientific and legal foundation that lets the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulate greenhouse gas emissions. It’s allowed the government to limit emissions, including those from cars and power plants, and is foundational to the Clean Air Act. But the Trump administration repealed it. To justify this action, the administration put five handpicked researchers who reject scientific consensus on climate change to work. A Republican-appointed federal judge ruled last month that the administration violated the law by convening the group without open meetings, public records, or balanced representation of viewpoints. The science behind the Endangerment Finding is clear: carbon dioxide, methane, and other pollutants worsen asthma, heart and lung disease, and pregnancy outcomes, and contribute to early death. More exposure means more disease. An environmental nonprofit found that by 2055, the repeal will result in:
But like most policies, the public tension isn’t just about science. You can see that playing out between the lines:
What’s next? Courts are taking this up because it conflicts with a previous Supreme Court decision. A coalition of environmental and health organizations sued the EPA and its administrator Lee Zeldin in the D.C. circuit last week. What this means for you: More exposure to pollution will mean more health risks. The good news is that many state-level initiatives are continuing to move forward. We can also raise awareness, as clean air and clean water are among the most bipartisan issues in this country, with more than 80% of Americans supporting them. Good newsThere’s always good news worth celebrating:
Question grab bag“Can you do one on avian flu? Nobody is reporting on it well. NJ is having a lot of dead birds, and people are blaming road salt and cold weather.” Bird flu (avian flu or H5N1) is still active! In the past 30 days, a total of 9.42 million birds nationwide have been affected. (In contrast, 1.4 million birds nationwide were affected by avian flu over the three months of September, October, and November of 2025.) The high numbers are mainly due to a big outbreak in Pennsylvania. More than seven million birds (mostly commercial poultry and backyard flocks) have tested positive in recent weeks in the South and Central regions of the state. The state is now requiring 214 nearby dairy farms to test bulk milk tanks to make sure the virus isn’t spreading among cows again. Colorado also has a large outbreak, with more than 1 million birds affected at one facility. In New Jersey, USDA has not detected any commercial flocks impacted by bird flu in the past 30 days. But New Jersey is in the migration path of Pennsylvania, so it could be (and likely is) circulating among wild birds, which may explain the dead birds you’re seeing. What this means for you: So far, not too much unless you own birds in your backyards. (Here is what you should do with backyard flocks.) Also, egg prices haven’t changed yet, but many are keeping an eye on this.
Egg prices and Production. Source: USDA. Bottom lineStay warm, stay healthy, and stay loud. Love, YLE Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) is founded and operated by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist, wife. Hannah Totte, MPH, is an epidemiologist and YLE Community Manager. YLE reaches more than 425,000 people in 132 countries with one goal: “Translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below:
Thanks for your financial support of Your Local Epidemiologist! We couldn’t do this without you.
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FEBRUARY 23– 3:35 PM I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW THE SNOW IS GONE
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SNOW STOPS SUN SETTING IN THE WEST
THANK YOU! THIS SNOW SOMETIMES IT TAKES A BIG SNOW BLOWER TO HANDLE A BIG SNOW.
NOTE DEPTH OF THE SNOW
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IN WHITE PLAINS NY USA
FEBRUARY 23– 2:15 EST–2O INCHES OF SNOW IN WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA– RELIEF BY 6
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PATH CLEARING REVEALED THE NATURAL EDGE OF THE PATH TO MEASURE 20 INCHES OF SNOW
THE BIG WHITEOUT HAS FALLEN THE LAST 22 HOURS SINCE APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM SUNDAY AFTERNOON
CURRENTLY SNOW IS STILL FALLING. IT IS 36 DEGREES. THE WEATHER CHANNEL ADVISES IT SHOULD STOP BY 6 PM.
NOW THE DIGOUT HAS BEGUN.
FEBRUARY 23– 8 AM EST WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXTENDS BAN ON TRAFFIC UNTIL 12 NOON 28 DEGREES AND STILL SNOWING WINDS GUSTING TO 50 MPH
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WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXTENDS TRAVEL BAN UNTIL NOON
(White Plains, NY) – Due to ongoing hazardous road conditions caused by the winter storm, Westchester County is extending the current travel ban until noon today, February 23.
The road ban is being implemented due to hazardous winter weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and wind. Roads are closed to all but essential travel (police, fire, EMS, utility/public works, media and hospital/medical personnel).
FEBRUARY 23–WHITEOUT!
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28 DEGREES WINDY WHITE SNOWY WPCNR DEGREES AT 8:30 AM. 14 INCHES AND MORE TO COME
FOURTEEN INCHES OF SNOW HAVE FALLEN ON WHITE PLAINS
WEATHER CHANNEL REPORTS SNOW WILL LAST TO 6 PM
PATHS TO HOMES, DRIVEWAYS OBSCURED.
SOME WIRES DOWNED BY WIND
FEBRUARY 22–PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE NIGHT
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6 INCHES AS OF 11:20 PM EST
THE MORE IT SNOWS
TIDDLEY POM
THE MORE IT GOES ON SNOWING
SNOWFLAKES READY FOR THEIR CLOSEUP, MR. BAILEY
THE SNOWS OF TODAY FEBRUARY 22 HAVE NOW REACHED THE LEVEL SNOW MELT LEFT AFTER A WEEK OF MELT
IN 4 WEEKS THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS HAS HAD 26 INCHES OF SNOW FALL AND HEADING TOWARDS MORE
FEBRUARY 22– WHITE PLAINS ADVISORY ON EXPECTED SNOW AND CITIZENS’ RESPONSIBILITY. IF YOU PARK OVERNIGHT ON STREET IN WHITE PLAINS YOUR VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED.
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The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for Sunday, February 22nd through Monday, February 23rd.
Snow is expected to start in the late afternoon on Sunday. It will be heavy at times with significant accumulation and strong winds through Sunday night, tapering off in the late afternoon/early evening on Monday.
The City’s Department of Public Works crews will be working through the storm to clear roads as quickly and completely as possible. In order to enable DPW to do their job, it is vital that vehicles not be left parked on the street.
As a courtesy, the City of White Plains is offering free parking to White Plains residents for vehicles registered to addresses within the City of White Plains in the Hamilton-Main Garage starting at 1:00 PM on Sunday, February 22nd until 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 24th. Please note: Residents may park in any space in the Hamilton-Main Garage, including spaces marked for permit holders and spaces marked for hourly users. We also encourage residents who have permits to park in city-owned outdoor lots to move their cars to the Hamilton-Main Garage.
Moving cars out of these lots enables the City to clear them more completely and quickly for residents’ use.
All other garages, lots and on-street parking will remain subject to normal enforcement.
There will be strict enforcement of the City’s ban on overnight, on-street parking, as vehicles left on the street impair the City’s ability to clear snow, creating hazardous conditions and lengthening the storm’s impact.
Thank you for your cooperation and please stay safe.
Thank you, The City of White Plains
FEBRUARY 22–BEELINE BUS SERVICE SUSPENDED AT 7 PM TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY 2 PM
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(White Plains, NY) – Bee-Line buses and Paratransit will be suspended as of 7 p.m. this evening, Sunday, February 22, and will be suspended until 2 p.m., Monday, February 23.
Westchester County will monitor road conditions and provide updates to the public as necessary. Please check our website for further updates at www.westchestergov.com/beelinebus.
Additionally, following guidance from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Westchester County will institute a complete road ban beginning at 9 p.m. tonight, Sunday, February 22, through 10 a.m. Monday, February 23. The road ban is being implemented due to hazardous winter weather conditions expected overnight, including heavy snowfall and wind. Roads are closed to all but essential travel (police, fire, EMS, utility/public works and hospital/medical personnel).