Remembering and admiring the CDC

During the American sector of coronavirus pandemic there have been missteps and yet other successes. Two vaccines came from basic research on doping cells with synthetic messenger RNA, pioneered in part US labs.1 The mobilized not only scientific talent but also government, as appropriate. At federal level, National Institutes Health (NIH) stood tall start. Another agency, Centers for Disease Control Prevention (known CDC), has traditionally esteemed by health biomedical professions NIH, it played a major role country's response to pandemic. Here I wish recall us how CDC be, recognize its catalytic inaugural scientist, comment recent issue. Alexander Langmuir (Figure 1) was unquestionably most influential epidemiologist 20th century. Educated at Harvard, he received his MD what then Cornell University Medical College undertook subsequent training public Johns Hopkins School Hygiene Public (MPH, 1940). He saw profession up close New York City Department Army, after which joined faculty Hopkins. His country called him again 1949, when became director epidemiology branch within Communicable Center (later be named CDC). In 1951, established center's Epidemic Intelligence Service one respected detective endeavors history medicine health. served 20 years, during time led or advised epidemiological studies polio, measles, influenza, inter alia. A key feature career ease welcome accommodation walked two circles, agency hand out into academy scientists caregivers hand, each guild admiring stature contralateral one. From very outset SARS-Cov-2 United States, some wondered why beyond executive branch, did more quickly effectively assert itself. government long held statutory rights health, confers “march-in” authority seize patent private entity good. Division Biological Standards initially such under this law, later transferred FDA. This march-in provision contemplated 1950s polio era enacted first vaccine proved efficacious. Of course, beginning outbreak, no clarity issued pending patents would turn catalytic, although reasonable bets might made. Among entities that criticized, including Human Services, taken task many fronts. shall refrain commenting those vectors (pun intended) may politically motivated White House others. There is dimension, however, think could moved quickly: aerosol transmission. respiratory viruses are transmitted several ways. common cold virus can cough sneeze (droplet) direct contact. primary transmission vector thought these. But even (January-February 2020), experts were warning infectivity duration surfaces unknown (and proven minimal), so natural social contact masks, whatever non-physical-contact models thansmission be. these recommendations, enduring political opposition quarters. mode just found. By March 2020, network learned breakthrough reported coming weeks: transmission.2-4 had seemed plausible all along because droplets (from sneeze) relatively heavy, thus fall off vicinal, negative parabolic slope, whereas exhaled particles borne convective air over distances. Letter Editor England Journal Medicine captured particularly well.4 CDC, my opinion, jump onto should have. Perhaps their find evidence persuasive, an alert deemed premature. spring compelling, act. now forefront news coverage flow restaurants locales various articles public. How miss this? Were voices suppressed? certainly much being subjected influence along. We learn about due course. For now, want applaud done our citizens world-wide. Its record unblemished any domain human who, start, knew scrutinized. Matthew Meselson (Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA) alerted me others likelihood transmission, before reports appeared, warmly thanked more.