Vaccine passport privacy concerns loom large for comms, authorities and nonprofits provide resources on Twitter after Nashville flood, and CDC director goes off script

Hello, Communicators:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky deviated from her planned remarks at a White House briefing yesterday, commenting candidly on the recent uptick in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths as the number of cases surpassed the 30.2 million mark.

“I’m going to pause here; I’m going to lose the script, and I’m going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom,” Walensky said, according to Rolling Stone. “We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope. But right now, I’m scared.”

Communicators should take note that there will be times when a leader or spokesperson’s convictions and closeness to a statement merits going off script and speaking candidly to stakeholders.

Leadership should be encouraged to show vulnerability when speaking on issues that matter to them personally, as opening up can foster a closeness with stakeholders that resonates beyond the shelf life of the soundbite.