'My Disabled Life Is Worthy' Hashtag Rochelle Walensky CDC Director Inspired With Horrible Interview

- Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director for Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, speaks during a hearing, with the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions, on the COVID-19 response. Capitol Hill, March 18, 2021.
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- Daily Kos, Jan. 9, 2021. -Ed.

It’s hard to believe the media training Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, allegedly sought out from a Democratic consultant is paying off. The director, who started her position last January, has been criticized time and time again for ever-changing CDC guidance issued in light of the coronavirus pandemic and more poignantly how she communicates said guidance.

Such was the case when she appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America on Friday to address criticism following the CDC's new recommendation that those who have had a positive COVID-19 test only need to isolate for 5 days, down from an initial 14 days and an earlier reduction to 10 days. The journalist interviewing Walensky cited a new study showing how well vaccines are working to prevent new illnesses before she asked: “Is it time to start rethinking how we’re living with this virus, that it’s potentially hear to stay?”

- Walensky answered: “The overwhelming number of deaths, over 75% occurred in people who had at least 4 comorbidities, so really these are people who were unwell to begin with, and yes really encouraging news. In the context of Omicron, this means not only to get your primary series but to get your booster series, um and yes we’re really encouraged by these results.” And with that, she set off a firestorm of well-earned criticism.



- Min. mark *2:20, Dr. Walensky: "The overwhelming number of deaths, over 75%, occurred in people who had at least 4 comorbidities. So really these are people who were unwell to begin with and yes, really encouraging news in the context of Omicron." - Good Morning America, ABC News, Jan. 7, 2022. CDC Director responds to criticisms on COVID-19 guidance.

Using the viral hashtag “MyDisabledLifeIsWorthy,” disability rights activists and those with disabilities explained in great detail on social media why Walensky shouldn’t be encouraged. Disability rights and inclusion activist ​​Imani Barbarin tweeted that about 840,000 people have died in the pandemic “and much of them Black, indigenous and people of color with disabilities.” "When we only value those capable of work you put everyone at risk. #MyDisabledLifeIsWorthy" Barbarin tweeted. The activist has been tirelessly advocating for people with disabilities who were abandoned and overlooked during the pandemic....

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https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/1/9/2073594/--My-disabled-life-is-worthy-Hashtag-Rochelle-Walensky-inspired-with-horrible-interview
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- *Daily Kos OP On The Subject Earlier Today- DU, Comments https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016310466



- Panel: Albelism 101. Dec. 3, 2021. Daily Kos staff participated in a panel on ableism, hosted by our Equity Council. In this session, Marissa Higgins facilitated a discussion between 3 wonderful panelists: Imani Barbarin, Ariel Henley, and Dior Vargas.
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Tweet, Conversation, Mlle Defarge--My-disabled-life-is-worthy-Hashtag-Rochelle-Walensky-inspired-with-horrible-interview ♿ @hearing_girl I'm a disabled person who's been working myself to the bone to help end this pandemic amidst a dwindling and demoralized public health workforce. But apparently the CDC Director finds the possibility of my death "encouraging."#MyDisabledLifeIsWorthy 11:49 PM · Jan 8, 2022