Dr. Deborah Birx contradicts Trump on COVID-19 data

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Coronavirus task force member Deborah Birx said in a memo released on Monday that the nation is entering the most deadly stage of the pandemic eventually leading to more deaths.
• Despite repeated warnings about a possible second and third wave of the virus, Birx has become increasingly disappointed with the lack of response from White House officials.
• Referencing Trump’s recent campaign rallies that involved people not wearing masks, Birx stressed the need for more drastic measures to be enacted before crisis hits.

A Monday memo issued by Dr. Deborah Birx disputed President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that America is “rounding the corner” in the country’s fight against the coronavirus.

“We are entering the most concerning and most deadly phase of this pandemic … leading to increasing mortality. This is not about lockdowns — It hasn’t been about lockdowns since March or April. It’s about an aggressive balanced approach that is not being implemented,” said Birx, the nation’s leading expert on COVID-19 data, the Washington Post reported.  

Also a member of Vice President Pence’s coronavirus task force, Birx has reportedly become increasingly irked by what she described as feeling “ignored” by White House officials despite attempts to warn them against a possible second and third wave of the virus this fall and winter.

Citing Trump’s recent campaign rallies that mostly involved little social distancing and mask-wearing by attendees, the internal memo reiterated a “much more aggressive action from messaging, to testing, to surging personnel around the country before the crisis point.”

“This is about empowering Americans with the knowledge and data for decision-making to prevent community spread and save lives,” the memo added.

For months, Trump has persistently reassured voters that the country’s economy will soon make its comeback adding that the virus will soon go away with or without a vaccine.

The president even encouraged a crowd of supporters late Sunday who chanted for him shouting “fire Fauci”.  Dr. Anthony Fauci is the country’s top expert on infectious diseases and also a member of the task force whom Trump has publicly opposed.

“Don’t tell anybody, but let me wait until a little bit after the election.  He’s a nice man, but he’s been wrong on a lot,” said Trump of Fauci.

Meanwhile, several states in the Upper Midwest and rural South are currently experiencing an alarming surge of coronavirus cases which health officials attribute to relaxed lockdown provisions and small family gatherings ahead of the holidays.

Source: The Hill