Return-to-work date set for CDC staff on September 15, following five weeks after headquarters shooting incident

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is preparing for a return to its Atlanta headquarters following a deadly shooting on August 8th. The attack, which claimed the life of responding police officer David Rose, has sent shockwaves through the agency and sparked a series of changes.

CDC staff, who had been working remotely since the shooting, have been given the option to return to the office in the weeks that followed. However, employees whose workspaces were impacted by the incident will be provided alternative spaces on the CDC campus.

The gunman behind the attack was identified as Patrick Joseph White, who killed himself after shooting Officer Rose. White was reported to have blamed the Covid-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal.

Four top officials at the CDC resigned in the aftermath of the shooting, citing the politicization of the agency and a threat to public health. Among them was Susan Monarez, the former CDC director, who was fired by President Donald Trump. Monarez appeared to directly blame misinformation for the shooting in an email to staff.

The White House confirmed the dismissal of Monarez, and Lynda Chapman has since been appointed as the new chief operating officer of the CDC. CDC leadership and a "Response and Recovery Management" team are addressing staff concerns and ensuring a safe environment as the agency transitions back to in-office work.

The CDC expects its staff to return to offices by September 15. The agency has made significant progress on repairs at the CDC Roybal Campus in Atlanta.

Five guns and over 500 shell casings were recovered from the scene of the shooting. No other persons besides Susan Monarez are reported to have resigned from their positions. Monarez herself resisted her dismissal by President Donald Trump as CDC director, and no other officials are mentioned as having stepped down in connection with this political upheaval.

The attack on the CDC's headquarters was a tragic event, but it has also highlighted the importance of maintaining a safe and non-politicized environment for the agency's work. The CDC continues to work tirelessly to protect public health and prevent the spread of disease worldwide.