U.S. Lacks 'Comprehensive' Coronavirus Plan: Whistleblower

WASHINGTON, DC — Despite claims by the White House, the United States still lacks a comprehensive plan for battling the coronavirus, according to a government whistleblower as he testified before a House subcommittee.

In fact, immunologist Dr. Rick Bright said the nation could face its “darkest winter in modern history” unless government leaders act to prevent a rebound of the virus.

Bright, a top government virologist, alleges in his whistleblower complaint that he was ousted from his job as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority after repeatedly warning higher-ups the virus outbreak was going to be worse than the public was being led to believe.

He also claims he was "involuntarily transferred to a more limited and less impactful position at the National Institutes of Health," and that the personnel move was retaliatory.

Bright told the subcommittee his breaking point came when he opposed a White House directive to allow widespread access to hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug that President Donald Trump was touting as an effective treatment, according to The Associated Press.

"We need still a comprehensive plan, and everyone across the government and everyone in America needs to know what that plan is, and what role they play,” Bright said during his testimony. “There are critical steps that we need to do to prepare ... we do not still have enough personal protective equipment to manage our health care workers ... we still do not have the supply chains ramped up for the drugs and vaccines, and we still don’t have plans in place for how we distribute those drugs and vaccines. We still do not have a comprehensive testing strategy."

The Department of Health and Human Services, Bright's employer, said it strongly disagrees with his allegations and that it reassigned him to a high-profile position helping to lead the development of new coronavirus tests at the National Institutes of Health, AP reported.

Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar also weighed in on Bright's testimony. Trump said Bright looked like an “angry, disgruntled employee,” with Azar adding, “Everything he is complaining about was achieved."

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