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Whistleblower Testifies on 'Scientific Integrity' in US Coronavirus Response

Katherine Gypson

   The United States lacks a comprehensive plan to respond to the
   coronavirus, a U.S. health official warned lawmakers Thursday.

   Dr. Rick Bright, an immunologist for the Department of Health and Human
   Services (HHS), issued the warning in testimony before a congressional
   committee. He alleged in a whistleblower complaint that he was removed
   from his position for prioritizing science in the government's
   coronavirus response.

   Bright told a House panel that time was running out for the United
   States to mount a response to the pandemic, and he warned that a
   resurgence of the virus in the fall could result in 2020 becoming "the
   darkest winter in modern history."

   As of Thursday afternoon EDT, the pandemic had killed more than 85,000
   people in the United States, according to figures from Johns Hopkins
   University.

   President Donald Trump criticized Bright ahead of his testimony,
   tweeting Thursday morning, "He is a disgruntled employee, not liked or
   respected by people I spoke to and who, with his attitude, should no
   longer be working for our government!"

   Until last month, Bright was the director of the Biomedical Advanced
   Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a U.S. agency responsible
   for vaccine development.

   'Politicizing the response'

   In a statement, HHS said Bright was continuing to draw a salary "while
   using his taxpayer-funded medical leave to work with partisan attorneys
   who are politicizing the response to COVID-19."

   But House Democrats said Bright's concerns provided a critical picture
   of the U.S. government's response to the pandemic.

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