REMARKS
Council Member Moya addresses public health emergencies and concerns about HHS Secretary
0:07:04
·
167 sec
Council Member Francisco P. Moya, chair of the subcommittee on COVID and infectious diseases, delivers opening remarks on the importance of detecting, preventing, and responding to public health emergencies in New York City. He emphasizes the critical role of the city's health department and expresses concerns about the recent appointment of Robert Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary, particularly regarding potential impacts on vaccine policies.
- Highlights the importance of accurate health data and effective monitoring tools, including water waste surveillance
- Raises concerns about Robert Kennedy Jr.'s history of spreading vaccine misinformation
- Calls for ensuring that New York City maintains strong vaccine policies and combats misinformation at the local level
Francisco P. Moya
0:07:04
Thank you, chair Schulman.
0:07:07
Good morning, everyone.
0:07:08
My name is council member Francisco Moya.
0:07:10
I'm the chair of the subcommittee on COVID and infectious diseases.
0:07:13
Thank you for joining us at today's important hearing on detecting, preventing, and responding to public health emergencies in New York City, as well as on numerous health related resolutions.
0:07:24
As we all know, infectious diseases are ever present challenges that demand vigilance, swift action, and an adaptive approach.
0:07:32
The COVID pandemic made this clearer than ever, but it also highlighted the vital importance of our public health agencies in responding to emergency health threats.
0:07:41
The city's health department plays a critical role in detecting, tracking, and responding to infectious diseases both here in New York City and in coordination with national and international health agencies.
0:07:51
In the wake of the COVID pandemic, it is, more important than ever that we have access to accurate, up to date health data and effective monitoring tools.
0:08:01
This includes water waste surveillance, which has proven to be an innovative tool in identifying outbreaks in New York City, before they escalate.
0:08:09
However, as chair Schulman mentioned, I must acknowledge the recent confirmation of, Robert Kennedy junior as HHS secretary.
0:08:17
While this position is vital to guiding national public health policies, secretary Kennedy's long history of spreading misinformation about vaccines raises serious concerns.
0:08:27
His public statements have consistently undermined the trust in vaccines despite overwhelming scientific evidence of their safety and efficacy.
0:08:36
As we look to the future of vaccine guidance, in particular, childhood immunization schedules and vaccine guidance during outbreaks, it is critical that we ensure that our government continues to prioritize the protection of public health and safety of our most vulnerable populations.
0:08:51
Here in New York City, we cannot afford any rollbacks in vaccine policy or any confusion that undermines our efforts to protect children, older adults, and others who are at most risk from preventable infectious diseases.
0:09:04
I'm interested in learning how the city's health department plans to respond, to any shifts in federal guidance and how we can work to combat vaccine misinformation at the local level, ensuring New Yorkers continue to have confidence in the vaccines that protect us all.
0:09:18
I look forward to hearing from the administration on this issue, and I wanted to conclude by thanking Claire Schulman, my fellow council members for being here today.
0:09:25
I would also like I said chair Schulman.
Lynn Schulman
0:09:28
Oh, chair.
0:09:28
I thought you said Claire.
Francisco P. Moya
0:09:29
No.
0:09:30
Not Claire Schulman.
0:09:31
That's okay.
0:09:31
I said chair Schulman.
0:09:33
We're from Queens, so that's why it may resonate.
0:09:36
But no, chair Schulman, and my fellow council members for being here today.
0:09:42
I would like to thank the subcommittee staff, my own staff for their work, on this hearing, and I now turn the mic back to chair Schulman.