In joint coverage by KHN and the Associated Press, it was reported that 1 in 8 Americans live in a community which lost its top public health leader during the coronavirus pandemic in what experts say is “the largest exodus of public health leaders in American history.” KHN found that this attrition was exacerbated by the politicized nature of the national COVID-19 response. Many public health officials cited harassment at work or at their home, online attacks, and threats of physical violence as reasons to retire or leave their position.
Lawmakers in 24 states have also introduced legislation aimed at weakening public health powers since the outset of the pandemic. The legislation aims to restrict state and local health offices to varying degrees. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) published a model policy for states to use when drafting legislation. As an example, California’s SB 488 is based on the model policy, and stipulates that any emergency order adopted in response to a public health threat “be narrowly tailored to serve a compelling public health or safety purpose and limited in duration, applicability, and scope” (quoted from ALEC’s model policy). ALEC’s model also specifically stipulates an automatic expiration of any emergency order which “infringes on constitutional rights” after seven days, barring a ratification of said order.