Whistleblower Rick Bright’s AlarminG COVID-19 Testimony. There Is No Leadership In The Trump Administration
Rick Arthur Bright is an American immunologist and public health official. Bright (BARDA)is the former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, leading the authority from 2016 to 2020. In May 2020, he filed a whistleblower complaint, alleging that his early warnings about the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic were ignored by the Trump administration and ousted from his role in retaliation
In his complaint, delivered through videoconference, Bright asked to be reinstated as director at BARDA, accusing the Trump Administration of firing him in retaliation for his warnings about the virus and his opposition to off-label use of the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine.
He also suggested that the administration was prioritizing “cronyism over science”. On May 8, 2020, the United States Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency which protects whistleblowers, reported that it found reasonable grounds for an investigation, and said he should be reinstated as head of BARDA while the investigation is undertaken. However, the recommendation is non-binding on HHS.
On May 14, 2020 he testified before the health subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. In a written statement issued the day before, he warned that 2020 could be “the darkest winter in modern history” if the country does not undertake a vigorous response to fight the virus. “Our window of opportunity is closing. 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,” he said. Wiki
“He said, ‘We’re in deep shit,'” testified Bright. “‘The world is.'”
Bright recalls multiple meetings with the Trump administration being completely clueless of the severity of the virus and how they will provide enough N95 masks to protect Americans.
Bright’s testimony today was mostly in part dismissed by members of the Republican Congress and seen as premature. The Republicans continue to remain loyal and subservient to their narcissistic, xenophobic demigod president that lacks any leadership and morality.
With the staggering amount of deaths and infections within the US and around the world, it remains puzzling why they continue to pledge their unwavering loyalty to Trump.
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