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 2024, a controversy arose from the release of a video recording of Varma stating 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]
In 2001, Varma joined the Center for Disease Control'sEpidemic 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
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]
^Reichgott, Megan (November 26, 2003). "RESEARCHERS TIE E. COLI OUTBREAK IN 2001 TO CONTAMINATED BUILDING". St. Louis Post - Dispatch. The Associated Press.
^"Jay K. Varma". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
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