WASHINGTON (February 28, 2020)—The emerging threat of coronavirus has put new scrutiny on the U.S. government’s ability to manage a potential public health crisis. The administration’s inconsistent actions—and its efforts to exert message control over public health experts—impede our ability to handle the threat.
Below is a statement by Dr. Kathleen Rest, executive director of the Union of Concerned Scientists and a health policy expert. Dr. Rest served as the acting director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the anthrax scare that followed.
“In times of crisis, we need to be able to trust that our leaders are making decisions in the public interest and based on the best available evidence. We need to be able to hear directly from the scientists and experts who understand the issue. We need to trust that our federal agencies are able to communicate clearly and transparently about what’s happening and the actions they’re taking in response.
“Unfortunately, the response we’ve seen from the administration on the coronavirus so far has fallen unacceptably short. The administration has ignored or sidelined expert staff at agencies like the CDC and the NIH, offered the public inconsistent and confusing information, and failed to provide clear leadership.
“We can’t solve problems if we don’t listen to the evidence and act on it. Congress and the administration must work together to fully fund a robust public-health effort, and the administration needs to give us clear guidance about the steps they’re taking to prevent and control the spread of coronavirus. And we need to hear this straight from the experts, without political vetting or interference.
“Sidelining science advice puts us all at risk. We and others in the science and public health communities will continue to speak out to make sure the federal government responds to the threat of coronavirus quickly, transparently and responsibly.”