Hello! I am a medical epidemiologist and infectious disease doctor at CDC in the Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch. I work to prevent and stop infections caused by free-living amebas, which are single-celled organisms found in water and soil. Free-living amebas can cause diseases ranging from a type of encephalitis, or brain infection, to serious eye infections.
I support epidemiologic, laboratory, and communication activities related to free-living ameba infections. Acanthamoeba is a free-living ameba that can get on your contact lenses and cause a painful and disruptive infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). Acanthamoeba keratitis can lead to vision problems, the need for a corneal transplant, or blindness. Luckily, AK and other contact lens-related eye infections are largely preventable.
I also work with the CDC Healthy Contact Lens Program to help people learn about contact lens-related eye infections and the healthy habits that can reduce your chances of getting an eye infection. For more information about the CDC Healthy Contact Lens Program and our contact lens recommendations, visit our website: https://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/index.html.
My team conducted new research on the communication between eye care providers and patients on contact health. Read the new MMWR report here: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6832a2.htm.
I'll be on from 1-3pm (ET, 17-19 UT), AMA!
The CDC's guide lays out detailed, phased recommendations for how to safely reopen child care programs, schools, day camps, faith communities, businesses with vulnerable workers, restaurants, bars, and mass transit.
#HERE IS A LINK TO THE CDC's GUIDE that was rejected by the Trump Administration Please read over it, if you have time.
An unnamed administration official told CNN that the White House's coronavirus task force felt the guidance was "overly prescriptive" because "guidance in rural Tennessee shouldn't be the same guidance for urban New York City." The official also noted that the CDC guidance did not fit the "phases" outlined by a reopening guidance already released by the task force.
Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany went on to say "This is a governor-led effort. The President has said that governors make the decisions as to move forward and we encourage them to follow our phased approach," This honestly seems like a veiled way to transfer blame of Covid-19 Deaths onto the Governors and away from the President.
