---
title: "CDC Director Says She’s “Scared,” Begs Americans to Take COVID Seriously"
description: "COVID case numbers in the US have started to slowly creep upward, and that has CDC Director Rochelle Walensky deeply scared."
date: "2021-03-29"
modified: "2021-03-29"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/cdc-director-scared-begs-take-covid-seriously"
categories:
  - "Developments"
  - "Health & Medicine"
tags:
  - "coronavirus"
  - "covid19"
  - "health"
  - "vaccine"
---

# CDC Director Says She’s “Scared,” Begs Americans to Take COVID Seriously

![COVID case numbers in the US have started to slowly creep upward, and that has CDC Director Rochelle Walensky deeply scared.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CDC.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Futurism\</em\>*

Despite the ongoing, accelerating vaccine rollout, the number of new daily coronavirus cases in the United States is once again starting to creep upward.

And that has CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky scared, she told reporters during a Monday morning briefing.

"I'm gonna pause here, I'm gonna lose the script, and I'm gonna reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom," [Walensky said](<https://twitter.com/HeadlinerClip/status/1376559109021962245>).

"We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are, and so much reason for hope," Walensky continued. "But right now, I'm scared."

https://twitter.com/HeadlinerClip/status/1376559109021962245

Ultimately, this is not the time to relax. If we want the vaccine rollout to work and help as many people as possible, everyone needs to stay vigilant and [continue to wear masks](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/fauci-coronavirus-will-probably-be-around-forever>) and distance themselves from others [in public](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/cdc-fully-vaccinated-gather-indoors>) — even after they've personally gotten the vaccine.

"Now is one of those times when I have to share the truth and I have to hope and trust you will listen," Walenski said, [according to Kaitlan Collins](<https://twitter.com/kaitlancollins/status/1376553225155977219>), *CNN*'s Chief White House Correspondent.

"I'm asking you to just hold on a little longer," she [added](<https://twitter.com/kaitlancollins/status/1376553225155977219>).

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)