Fri Dec 06 22:10:31 UTC 2024: **Trump Names Covid Lockdown Sceptic to Head Key US Health Agency**
WASHINGTON D.C. – President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University physician and economist known for his opposition to Covid-19 lockdowns, to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This appointment is the latest in a series of controversial public health choices by Trump, who has assembled a team largely comprised of figures critical of the government’s pandemic response.
Bhattacharya gained prominence for his involvement in the Great Barrington Declaration, an open letter that advocated against widespread lockdowns in favor of protecting vulnerable populations. His nomination has been met with mixed reactions, as he remains a vocal critic of former NIH director Anthony Fauci’s handling of the pandemic.
Other controversial appointments include Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the US Department of Health and Human Services, Marty Makary to head the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Dave Weldon to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All nominees share a history of questioning established public health measures, particularly concerning vaccine mandates.
While Trump’s allies have generally welcomed these selections, some conservatives have voiced concerns, particularly regarding Dr. Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination as Surgeon General. Her past statements on abortion and mask mandates have caused friction within the Trump base.
All nominees require Senate confirmation. The incoming administration’s public health team signals a significant shift in the nation’s approach to pandemic preparedness and public health policy.
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