Big news in the world of public health: the Trump administration has asked federal health agencies to hit the pause button on sharing information. This includes everything from scientific reports to website updates and health advisories. Sources say the directive came out of the blue, leaving many agency staff confused and concerned.

The order, delivered on Tuesday, affects key agencies like the FDA, CDC, and NIH. There wasn’t much detail on what’s included, but a follow-up memo revealed the pause will last until February 1. During this time, all communications—like press releases, social media posts, and even letters to Congress—need approval from higher-ups before going out.

This move isn’t completely unprecedented. New administrations often review processes when they take over. But this time, it’s raising eyebrows because of how broad and sudden it seems. Some employees are worried about job security, while others stress that timely health info is crucial for public safety.

Health agencies regularly share vital updates—think food recalls, drug approvals, and warnings about outbreaks like the H5N1 bird flu. Experts say cutting off this flow of info could put lives at risk. “Not a day goes by when CDC isn’t tracking a potential threat to our health,” said one former CDC director. “Cutting off communications puts our health at risk.”

This isn’t the first time the Trump administration has influenced health messaging. During the COVID-19 pandemic, political appointees reportedly tweaked CDC reports to align with the president’s messaging. Now, with this latest pause, many are watching closely to see how it plays out—and hoping it doesn’t slow down critical updates that keep us safe.

The White House hasn’t commented yet, but one thing’s clear: when it comes to public health, transparency matters. Let’s hope this pause doesn’t last too long.