Thread by @nytimes

Underfunded and neglected even before the pandemic, public health across the U.S. has been further undermined in ways that could have lasting effects. The country is less equipped to confront a pandemic now than it was at the beginning of 2020. nyti.ms/3p8NXDQ

The New York Times spoke to over 140 local health officials, public health experts and lawmakers, reviewed new state laws, analyzed local government documents and sent a survey to every county health department in the U.S. Almost 300 responded. nyti.ms/3p8NXDQ

Public health agencies have seen a staggering exodus of personnel, many exhausted and demoralized, in part because of abuse and threats. nyti.ms/3p8NXDQ

Legislators have approved new laws — with hundreds more under consideration — that limit state and local health powers. That overhaul of public health gives lawmakers more power to undermine things like flu or measles protocols. ​​nyti.ms/3p8NXDQ

To some, the enemy has become agencies, not the coronavirus. New local government leaders ran on pledges to rein in public health departments. One doctor went from being popular in her Washington community to fielding deadly threats. nyti.ms/3p8NXDQ

The U.S. government shelled out billions of dollars for public health, mainly to stem the emergency, rather than hiring permanent staff or building long-term capability. Most of the departments that answered our survey said they were worried about funding. nyti.ms/3p8NXDQ