BREAKING NEWS
» See no measles? EXCLUSIVE: Ex-CDC Vaccine Advisor Says Measles Outbreak Bigger Than Reported, Slams RFK Jr’s ‘No-See Evil’ Approach | Health and Me
» Just one? Should be fine. 'Disease detective' from the CDC arrives in Pa. to help with measles outbreak | LNP Lancaster Online
» Distract & redirect. $86 million from teen pregnancy prevention program allegedly redirected to Guidehouse, a firm with ties to HHS staff | Yahoo Finance
» Keep up the pressure: it works. Controversial US-backed vaccine trial in African newborns halted | The Guardian
» Driving gold-standard research…away, apparently. Meet the researchers leaving the US because of Trump’s funding cuts and politicization of science | AP News
» Move fast, break people. ‘A rushed and complicated system.’ Federal employees say they’re in the dark over limited top ratings | Government Executive
» Oh great, just what we needed. CDC's new acting chief of staff is an RFK Jr. loyalist, insiders say. But she wasn't always seen that way. | Inside Medicine Substack
» The stories of real people impacted by the CDC Chaos. Paused: Patients Behind the Cuts | ABC News
» Been there, survived that. The President's 2027 Budget wants to destroy the CDC again. Here's why nobody cares and how the Trump administration is responding | Inside Medicine Substack
» Victory! Court Rules OPM Data Disclosure to DOGE Is Unlawful | Electronic Frontier Foundation
Welcome to the 84th issue of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for illegally terminated, improperly RIF’d, chaotically reinstated, and current HHS staff. Read on for judicial and advocacy updates, links to media coverage, calls to action, tips, and resources.
Please consider supporting us by making a donation to the National Public Health Coalition, grabbing some merch (www.firedbutfighting.org/shop), signing up to volunteer, or subscribing to the NationalPHC Substack. You can also check out the FBF Talent Marketplace to support a fired fed.
Visit www.firedbutfighting.org/newsletter-library to read and share this and previous issues of the newsletter.
LEGAL UPDATES
» The legal team is off this week, but you should check out their piece on the New York v. Kennedy lawsuit on the NPHC Substack. You can also read last week's legal update here.
CALLS TO ACTION
» Pro tip from a GA poll worker spoon: A new rule in the GA election states that all voter names must be recorded by hand in chronological order by the order that they arrive at the precinct (and collected in a single binder.) You won’t notice this much at AIP (early voting) sites, but on election day, expect this extra step in real time to slow the process down. Your name will NOT be associated with your ballot. Plan for this change to the process, allow a little extra time, and VOTE anyway. GA’s early voting runs through Friday, October 30. Election day is Tuesday, November 3.
» Get ready to vote with our Election Resources and check out this Hatch Act Primer: Safe this Election Season, a guide to the Dos and Don’ts of political activity while a federal employee. (And yes, we can - and should - vote).
» We're tired and we know you are too. If you're feeling the weight of the attacks on public health, take a moment to read A Call to Address Moral Injury among Public Health Professionals for personal, organizational, and policy-level solutions.
EVENTS
» Now - November 1: Visit the “Scarecrows in the Garden” exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and vote for the NPHC scarecrow (#47) as your favorite. Find more information on vaccine history on the NPHC website.
Spooky Mutual Aid Fundraiser
» Wednesday, October 28 at 6pm. Join us at the Marlay House for a CDC Mutual AID Spooky 👻 Fundraising Night 🎃 and album release party for DJ Fed Up 🎤🔊💽. DJ Fed Up is, of course, the premier DJ providing the musical outlet we all need in today’s frustratingly crazy fed life. In addition to good times, fellowship, music, and food, there will be an in-person and virtual Halloween costume contest. So, come dressed to win 🏆. The event is free, but please RSVP here.
Out of the Darkness Walk
» Sunday, November 1 at 1:30pm ET. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Walk. Join the CDC and Friends team to raise awareness for suicide prevention. Buy the team tee here.
» Keep an eye on FBF’s events page for updates between newsletters. Love event planning? Sign up to volunteer as an event coordinator. We think you’d be great at it. ✨
CAREER CORNER
» This week’s issue of the Career Corner is full of great info, including new Hot Jobs, useful articles, and an upcoming webinar on Thursday 10/22 with former fed Dana Fowler discussing her path to building a consulting practice.
» Don’t miss career-related events and opportunities. Join the Former HHS Staff LinkedIn Group and follow NPHC on LinkedIn to stay current on career-related events.
» Want to help make Career Corner happen? Sign up to volunteer.
UNION CORNER
» Public Service Viewpoint Survey: AFGE has partnered with The Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, to administer the Public Service Viewpoint Survey. The results will provide an independent, standardized, and publicly available view of federal government employees. Your participation is voluntary and confidential and is especially important in the absence of the Federal Employment Viewpoint Survey previously administered by OPM. Please complete the survey outside your normal working hours by Dec. 4, 2026. The survey should only take about 10 minutes.
» L2883 Lunch Meet-Up at Roybal Campus: Please join us on Monday, November 9, 2026 at 12pm, in the Building 16 cafeteria at Roybal. Bring your lunch and come hang out with us. Union members and union-curious are all welcome. Stop by anytime during your lunch break.
» Why is AFGE calling—and asking if I’m on duty? AFGE PAC (Political Action Committee) makes election-related calls and texts as part of its get-out-the-vote efforts using voter lists, which may include other members of your household. This does not mean your personal information was stolen or sold. Callers ask if you’re on duty to help protect you, since the Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity while on duty or in the federal workplace—if you’re working, ask them to call back when you’re off duty. Participation is voluntary: reply STOP to end texts or ask a volunteer to add you to the Do Not Contact list to stop calls. Regular union dues may support AFGE’s legislative lobbying, but PAC contributions to federal candidates are voluntary and separate. Learn more at AFGE PAC or the AFGE Election Center.
» Join AFGE L2883. If you’re not already a member, sign up to join the fight now. As a reminder, all job series (including supervisors) are eligible to join. The only exception is Commissioned Corps officers.
CDC MUTUAL AID
Support CDC Mutual Aid at Bookish
» We are excited to announce our partnership with Bookish in East Atlanta Village. Buy that public health book you’ve been craving AND support CDC Mutual Aid at the same time - it’s a win-win. Check out the Public Good Partnership shelves at Bookish and look for titles focusing on public health, community preparedness & emergency response, and the conditions that determine who stays well. When you buy a title from the shelf in the store, 100% of the profits go back to Mutual Aid. Learn more here.
» “There’s Nothing Spookier Than a Future Without CDC” Merch is back 👻
From tees and long sleeves to baby gear and tote bags, this collection has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a way to show support and stay festive, this is the perfect time to grab your favorite piece. Visit the CDC Mutual Aid Network Store: https://cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me/
» Follow CDC Mutual Aid Network on Social Media
THE WEEKLY NEEDLE
» The Weekly Needle is America’s most trusted news source for all things health, medicine, and CDC & HHS. Check out our most recent article from this week:
» 2026 CDC Ethics Training Replaced with Hour-Long Kalshi Advertisement: Instead of focusing on issues such as impartiality, avoiding conflicts of interest, and potential violations of using one's office for political purposes, CDC employees will now be trained on how to strategically use Kalshi to help “ethically” leverage their positions for financial gain without scrutiny, per insiders.
» We all need more public health satire to survive - subscribe here. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.
SPOON OF THE WEEK
» This week’s spoon created a custom HHS ChatGPT agent to help fellow CDC staff navigate PMAP “HHS calibrations” hell.
» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.
SELF CARE
» Happiness Break: A Breathing Technique to Help You Relax
» #NerdAlert 🪄 CONjuration 🪄 (Atlanta’s fantasy convention) will take place November 6-8, 2026 at the Courtland Grand Hotel in downtown Atlanta.
» Thinking about the upcoming federal open season? Check out this FEHB plan comparison tool to see what each plan will actually cost you. You may want to be seated first…perhaps near some tissues. We’re just sayin’.
