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Jay K. Varma
Education
Medical career
Profession
  • Physician
  • Epidemiologist
Field
Epidemiology
InstitutionsCenters for Disease Control, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City Office of the Mayor
Sub-specialties
Epidemiology
ResearchEpidemiology

Jay Varma is a physician and epidemiologist[1] who previously served as senior advisor for public health[2][3] and COVID-19 to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.[4][5]

In that role, Varma helped lead New York City's COVID-19 pandemic response, including diagnostic testing,[4] contact tracing,[6] vaccine mandates[7] and the phased re-opening of businesses.[8] He was the architect of the NYC plans for public schools during the COVID-19 crisis.[9] In a 2024, a controversy arose from the release of a video recording of Varma stating that that he was involved in dance and sex parties in 2020 and 2021, with Varma stating that the video statements were "taken out of context".[10]

Early life and education

[edit]

Varma graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University.[8] Varma completed medical school, internal medicine residency, and chief residency at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine.[8][11]

Career

[edit]

In 2001, Varma joined the Center for Disease Control's Epidemic Intelligence Service, working on foodborne diseases.[11] That same year, he led the CDC's study of an E. coli outbreak at an Ohio county fair, determining the bacteria was spread through sawdust in the air of an Exhibition Hall, the first time scientists connected transmission of E. Coli to a contaminated building.[12]

While working for the CDC on infectious disease prevention and control, Varma had postings in Atlanta, Thailand, China, Ethiopia, and New York City.[8] [11] From 2003 to 2008, Varma directed the CDC's tuberculosis programs and research in Southeast Asia.[11] From 2008 to 2011, he directed the CDC's International Emerging Infections Program in Beijing, China.[11][13]

He became the deputy commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in 2011.[11][14] In 2014, he acted as the "incident commander" for Ebola in New York after two people tested positive for the virus.[15][16] Varma authorized the 21 day quarantine of the fiancée and two of friends of a doctor who fell ill with Ebola after he returned from treating patients in Guinea.[17] That same year he led NYC's response to an outbreak of measles in more than two dozen people[1] and an outbreak of meningitis among gay and bisexual men.[18] He also managed the city's response to an outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease cases in 2014-2015 linked to contaminated cooling towers,[19] which sickened dozens of people and killed four.[19][20]

Varma also worked as the Senior Advisor to the Director of Africa CDC, assisting with strategy and execution of the Africa Center for Disease Control's programs and helping develop the African Union's continent-wide strategy for COVID-19.[8][11]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Varma became de Blasio's senior advisor for public health, after the mayor clashed with NYC Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot.[2][21][22][23][24] Before Barbot left the department, Varma was described as a "shadow commissioner" for COVID-19 matters.[25]

In September 2020, Varma was involved in NYC's opening of a laboratory that prioritized testing for city residents.[4] In December 2020, Varma said New York City was monitoring wastewater and sewers to find COVID-19 clusters before they appear through patient testing.[26]

After a new variant of COVID-19 called B.1.526 was identified in February 2021 as likely originating in NYC,[27] Varma said preliminary analysis of the variant showed it was likely more infectious, but New Yorkers did not need to take additional precautions.[28]

Varma was the architect of the NYC plans for the public school system during the COVID-19 crisis, including assessing the risk factors for keeping schools partially opened in January 2021 as citywide positivity rates climbed.[9] In March 2021, the journal Pediatrics published a peer-reviewed study authored by Varma about COVID-19 transmission rates in NYC schools between October and December 2020.[29] The study showed virus transmission rates remained low within in-person classes, with 191 of 36,000 students and staff quarantined after exposure to COVID-19 testing positive for a transmission rate of .5%.[30] A follow-up study during the COVID-19 Delta wave showed that vaccination and other COVID-19 prevention measures continued to keep transmission low; fewer than 1 in 100 people exposed to COVID in school went on to develop active disease.[31]

After becoming a professor at Weill Cornell Medical College and director of the Cornell Center for Pandemic Prevention and Response in September 2021, Varma spoke out critically regarding the decision by the administration of New York Mayor Eric Adams to remove COVID-19 vaccine verification for public facilities,[32] exempting basketball player Kyrie Irving from being vaccinated,[33][34] and removing COVID-19 vaccine mandates for government and private employers.[35]

Varma has written articles on a range of public health issues for outlets including the Washington Post,[36] New York Times,[37][38][39] and Atlantic.[40][41][42][43]

Varma joined the Board of Directors for SIGA Technologies in November 2022 and began serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer in September 2023. Varma was fired in September 2024 after he admitted participating in “private gatherings” that were prohibited during the height of the pandemic.[44]

Controversy

[edit]

In 2024, undercover investigators working for podcast “Louder with Crowder” released a recording of Varma discussing taking ecstasy and attending sex and dance parties in New York City in August 2020 and the spring of 2021.[45] New York City Councilman Robert Holden has called for an investigation.[46] The Atlantic stated that "It’s not clear whether Varma personally violated any COVID rules."[47] At the time of the parties, Varma was a senior advisor to the mayor and the "architect" responsible for implementing Covid-19 safety rules.[48][49]

Varma did not dispute the authenticity of the video recordings, but claimed they were taken out of context,[10] and said that "between April 2020 - May 2021, I participated in two private gatherings. I take responsibility for not using the best judgment at the time."[50]

Recognition and awards

[edit]

In 2010, Varma was recognized as the U.S. Public Health Service Physician Researcher of the Year.[8][13] In 2011, he received the Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal, the highest decoration of the Department of Health and Human Services United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.[8][13] In 2017, he was awarded Physician Leader of the Year. In 2018 he received the Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal.[8][13]

Varma serves on the advisory committee to the US CDC director.[51] He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.[52]

Selected works

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Varma has authored 144 scientific manuscripts, 12 essays, and one book.[8]

Some of his peer-reviewed works include:

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Hartocollis, Anemona (March 18, 2014). "Measles Outbreak May Have Spread in Medical Facilities, a New York City Official Says". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Kilgannon, Corey (December 8, 2020). "What New York City's Sewers Reveal About the Virus". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  3. ^ Siemaszko, Corky (November 19, 2020). "N.Y.C. mayor's reason for closing public schools was 'arbitrary,' adviser says". NBC News. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Goldstein, Joseph (September 16, 2020). "N.Y.C. Is Opening Its Own Virus Testing Lab to Address Shortages". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  5. ^ Szekely, Peter (February 25, 2021). "New York officials downplay concern over new coronavirus variant". Reuters. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  6. ^ Goodman, J. David (August 17, 2020). "New York Has Tamed the Virus. Can It Hold Off a Second Wave?". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  7. ^ "Former de Blasio health advisor criticizes end of city vaccine mandate". ny1.com.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Jay K. Varma, MD". The Rockefeller Foundation. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Elsen-Rooney, Michael (January 11, 2021). "Surging community COVID spread tests NYC's efforts to keep schools safe for in-person learning". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Nir, Sarah Maslin (September 19, 2024). "Former N.Y.C. Covid Czar Partied While Preaching Social Distancing". New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "Jay Varma Senior Advisor, Science & Programme". Africa CDC. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  12. ^ Reichgott, Megan (November 26, 2003). "RESEARCHERS TIE E. COLI OUTBREAK IN 2001 TO CONTAMINATED BUILDING". St. Louis Post - Dispatch. The Associated Press.
  13. ^ a b c d Borchardt, Reuvain (December 24, 2020). "Do Antibodies Equal Immunity?". Hamodia. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  14. ^ Santora, Marc (July 1, 2016). "As Experts Confront the Hazards of Zika, Fear and Uncertainty Hover". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  15. ^ Hartocollis, Anemona (November 11, 2014). "With Persistence and Phone Calls, Defending Against Ebola in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  16. ^ Haddon, Heather; Orden, Erica; Dawsey, Josh (October 25, 2014). "New York Ebola Patient Has Gastrointestinal Symptoms". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  17. ^ Fink, Sheri (December 2, 2015). "Ebola Crisis Passes, but Questions on Quarantines Persist". The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  18. ^ Hartocollis, Anemona (September 5, 2014). "New York City Reports 3 New Cases of Meningitis". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  19. ^ a b "NYC health official expects more Legionnaires' disease cases". The Associated Press. August 1, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  20. ^ Hu, Winnie (July 29, 2015). "Legionnaires' Disease Sickens 31, 2 Fatally, in the South Bronx". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  21. ^ Goodman, J. David (August 4, 2020). "N.Y.C. Health Commissioner Resigns After Clashes With Mayor Over Virus". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  22. ^ Renault, Marion (February 25, 2021). "New coronavirus variant in New York spurs caution, concern". ABC News. ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  23. ^ Gartland, Michael (July 10, 2020). "New York City's top public health adviser rules out COVID-19 herd immunity". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  24. ^ Tompkins, Al (March 1, 2021). "New COVID-19 variants could be more resistant to vaccines, but let's not jump to conclusions". Poynter Institute. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  25. ^ Goldenberg, Sally (May 8, 2020). "In the midst of a pandemic, tensions flare between de Blasio and his health department". Politico. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  26. ^ Kilgannon, Corey (December 9, 2020). "Scientists are monitoring New York's sewers, hoping to identify coronavirus clusters". The New York Times. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  27. ^ Pereira, Sydney (March 3, 2021). "City Health Official Says New NYC Variant Is A 'Reminder' To Stay Diligent About COVID Precautions". The Gothamist. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  28. ^ King, Kate (March 2, 2021). "South Africa Coronavirus Variant Infects Two New York City Residents". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  29. ^ Shapiro, Eliza (March 10, 2021). "N.Y.C. public schools saw very low virus transmission as cases in the city spiked, a study says". The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  30. ^ Elsen-Rooney, Michael (March 9, 2021). "New study of NYC school COVID-19 rates presents 'compelling' evidence of low in-school transmission". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  31. ^ Varma, Jay K.; Feldkamp, Cara; Alexander, Mariana; Norman, Emily; Agerton, Tracy; Davis, Rindcy; Long, Theodore (May 23, 2022). "COVID-19 Transmission Due to Delta Variant in New York City Public Schools From October to December 2021". JAMA Network Open. 5 (5): e2213276. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.13276. ISSN 2574-3805. PMC 9127551.
  32. ^ "Keep indoor vax rules, NYC: Why Adams is wrong to drop COVID shot proof for restaurants, museums and more". New York Daily News. March 3, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  33. ^ Cohen, Ben; Radnofsky, Louise (October 13, 2021). "The Doctors Who Blocked Kyrie Irving". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  34. ^ "Mayor Adams Ends Vax Mandates for Athletes and Performers | The Brian Lehrer Show". WNYC Studios. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  35. ^ "Former de Blasio health advisor criticizes end of city vaccine mandate". ny1.com. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  36. ^ Varma, Jay K. (September 29, 2022). "Why are so many viruses popping up again?".
  37. ^ Varma, Jay K. (May 23, 2022). "Opinion | The Answer to Covid Fatigue Is Creativity, Not Surrender". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  38. ^ Varma, Jay K. (February 9, 2022). "Opinion | When Do Masks Come Off? The Hard Truth About Lifting Covid Restrictions". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  39. ^ Varma, Jay K. (December 20, 2021). "Opinion | There's One City That Can Show Us Our Omicron Future". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  40. ^ Permar, Jay Varma, Sallie (August 6, 2022). "The Problem With Being Too Cautious in Vaccine Trials". The Atlantic. Retrieved September 8, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  41. ^ Varma, Jay (May 15, 2022). "How Public Health Failed America". The Atlantic. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  42. ^ Varma, Jay (September 21, 2021). "Not Every Question Has a Scientific Answer". The Atlantic. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  43. ^ Varma, Jay (June 13, 2021). "The Public-Health Calculus Has Shifted". The Atlantic. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  44. ^ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ex-nyc-covid-czar-fired-admits-attending-banned-private-gatherings-hei-rcna172366
  45. ^ "CAUGHT: NYC Covid Czar Admits Forcing Vaccines & Having Drug-Fueled Sex Parties". September 19, 2024 – via YouTube.
  46. ^ Walker, Jackson (September 19, 2024). "NYC COVID czar admits to hosting nude drug parties during pandemic, undercover video shows". WJLA-TV ABC 7 News Washington DC. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  47. ^ Brown, Kristen V. (September 20, 2024). "Public-Health Officials Should Have Been Talking About Their Sex Parties the Whole Time". The Atlantic. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  48. ^ "Dr. Jay Varma Cornell Bio".
  49. ^ "Dr. Jay Varma on COVID-19, Public Health Investment and the New Center for Pandemic Prevention and Response". WCM Newsroom.
  50. ^ "Dr. Jay Varma, ex-COVID czar under de Blasio, slams release by right-wing activist of secretly-recorded 'spliced, diced, taken out of context' conversation mentioning sex parties". www.audacy.com. September 19, 2024.
  51. ^ "The Laboratory Workgroup | About | CDC". www.cdc.gov. July 14, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  52. ^ "Jay K. Varma". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
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