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America faces the "darkest winter in modern history" unless leaders act decisively to prevent a rebound of the coronavirus, says a government whistleblower who alleges he was ousted from his job for warning the Trump administration to prepare for the pandemic.
Key points:
- The pandemic will get worse in the US unless there is a national response based on science, Dr Bright warns
- Mr Trump has dismissed Dr Bright as a 'disgruntled guy'
- Dr Bright says friction with his bosses escalated when he opposed a malaria drug touted by Mr Trump
Immunologist Rick Bright made the sobering prediction in a statement prepared for his appearance before a US government committee on Thursday (local time).
A federal watchdog agency said it found "reasonable grounds" Dr Bright was removed from his job, as the head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, for sounding alarm about the pandemic at the Department of Health and Human Services.
"Our window of opportunity is closing," Dr Bright said in prepared testimony posted on the committee website.
"If we fail to develop a national coordinated response, based in science, I fear the pandemic will get far worse and be prolonged, causing unprecedented illness and fatalities."
Dr Bright's testimony follows a warning from Dr Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, that a rushed lifting of coronavirus restrictions could "turn back the clock" and result in more suffering and death, which would complicate efforts to get the economy rolling again.
President Donald Trump dismissed Dr Bright as "a disgruntled guy" and some of the president's political allies have urged Dr Fauci be fired, although that seems unlikely.
More than 83,000 people have died in the US, representing more than one-fourth of global deaths and the world's highest toll. There are now more than 4.3 million confirmed infections and about 295,000 deaths globally.
Eager to restart the economy, Mr Trump has been urging states to lift restrictions, which many governors are doing gradually, although consumers are cautious about going back to restaurants, social events and sporting competitions.
Dr Bright's testimony paints a bleak pictures of the months ahead in the US.
"The undeniable fact is there will be a resurgence of [COVID-19] this fall, greatly compounding the challenges of seasonal influenza and putting an unprecedented strain on our health care system," Dr Bright wrote.
Dr Bright outlines a path forward that includes a national testing strategy, education measures and producing more medical supplies that are fairly distributed.
He seeks to be reinstated in his old job but his employer, the Department of Health and Human Services, said it disagrees with his allegations and it had reassigned him to a position helping to lead the development of new coronavirus tests at the National Institutes of Health.
BARDA, the agency Dr Bright worked at for 10 years, was created to help the government respond to bioterrorism, infectious diseases, and radiological attacks. It focuses on developing and procuring counter-measures such as vaccines and treatments.
Prior to his reassignment, Dr Bright had received an "outstanding" performance review. He said friction with department leaders escalated after he opposed widespread use of hydroxycholoroquine, a malaria drug that Mr Trump touted without proof as a "game-changer" for treating COVID-19 patients.
Subsequent studies have indicated the drug may do more harm than good.
Dr Bright was summarily removed from his job in late April.
Pelosi calls on Trump to 'tell the truth'
United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called on Mr Trump to "tell the truth" about the state of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Ms Pelosi did not hold back her criticism of the President.
"The President calls it a war … that people are dying in the war. No, these are family, and people are dying in the family."
Ms Pelosi said she had been "dismayed" by the way Mr Trump was encouraging people to avoid the stay-home guidelines but said she "can't dwell" on his leadership.
"I believe in miracles. I believe in prayer. But again, we have to pray — and work — for the solutions to it all," she said.
While Ms Pelosi and Mr Trump are not on good terms, she remains in contact with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and expects to begin negotiations with him on the next aid bill from Congress.
Ms Pelosi defended the $US3 trillion ($4.6 trillion) Democrats pandemic relief package price tag as what's needed to confront the virus and subsequent US economic collapse.
Ms Pelosi said the proposal — headed for a House vote — was a starting point in negotiations with Mr Trump and Republicans, who had dismissed the bill.
The House is set to pass a package on Friday (local time) that would provide nearly $US1 trillion ($1.5 trillion) to the states and cities to avert layoffs, another round of direct cash payments to Americans and more money for virus testing.
The Senate is not expected to vote on the bill until June.
Long road ahead for Americans
As Republicans on Capitol Hill join the Trump administration's call to investigate China's role in the virus outbreak, Ms Pelosi called it a "diversion" from the more immediate problems of stemming the health crisis and salvaging the US economy.
"Yes, we want to know the source of this pandemic, but let's focus on why we are not testing, how we can help people," Ms Pelosi said.
Ms Pelosi also warned Americans not to expect a speedy return to normal, despite some easing of stay-home orders.
She said large gatherings, including the Democrats' presidential nominating convention, would not be business as usual.
"In order to turn the economy around, we have to get rid of the pandemic."
As the party's presumed presidential nominee, Joe Biden, shelters at home, campaigning via video from his basement, Ms Pelosi said he was doing "just fine" in the new normal of an election year.
"It's not as if he's missing a big crowd someplace," she said.
"Everybody knows he's a person of great integrity, and a great authenticity and connects very well with America's working families, which is what the Democratic Party is all about."
AP
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