Covid-19 Omicron Variant (Federal Data and Scientific Models) (National Institutes of Health)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. All data, statistics, and scientific models related to the Omicron variant (sometimes referred to as B.1.1.529, GR/484A, or 21K) of the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus in your agency's possession between 10/1/2021 and the date this request is ultimately processed. Please make sure to include attachments to any emails that might be included in the responsive documents for this request.

The requested documents and information will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In order to help determine my status to assess fees, you should know that I am a freelance journalist whose work is frequently published in print and online by news outlets and magazines at the local, regional and national levels. As a member of the media, I request a waiver of all fees.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I am willing to pay up to $25 for the requested information. If there is a fee that exceeds that amount, please notify me prior to initiating work on the request.

I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Erin Miller

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to you because it appears that NIH staff illegally closed my FOIA request (case 57590). The closure of this request came after your staff never acknowledged the request (as your agency is legally required to do under the Freedom of Information Act). I am not sure of the date my request was closed, as no acknowledgement letter from your agency is available in the NIH FOIA portal.

Please explain your agency's decision to close my request immediately, as it was a direct violation of my legal rights under the federal Freedom of Information Act.

If you cannot offer an explanation for your agency's illegal closure of my FOIA request, I demand that you reopen the request immediately. I also request that you investigate this matter and take appropriate action immediately regarding the illegal closure of my FOIA request.

Best,

Erin Marie Miller

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to you because it appears that NIH staff illegally closed my FOIA request (case 57590). The closure of this request came after your staff never acknowledged the request (as your agency is legally required to do under the Freedom of Information Act). I am not sure of the date my request was closed, as no acknowledgement letter from your agency is available in the NIH FOIA portal.

Please explain your agency's decision to close my request immediately, as it was a direct violation of my legal rights under the federal Freedom of Information Act.

If you cannot offer an explanation for your agency's illegal closure of my FOIA request, I demand that you reopen the request immediately. I also request that you investigate this matter and take appropriate action immediately regarding the illegal closure of my FOIA request.

Best,

Erin Marie Miller

Thank you for your response to my inquiry about the unexplained closure of FOIA request case 57590.

Can you please explain why the closure letter you provided via email, supposedly on Feb. 3, 2023, was not in the FOIA portal when I logged in to check on the status of this request on Feb. 5, 2023, prior to emailing you?

I look forward to your cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,
Erin Marie Miller