"Whistleblower: US Still Lacks Virus Plan, Americans At Risk"

"WASHINGTON — Despite White House claims, the U.S. still lacks a comprehensive battle plan against the coronavirus in critical areas including masks, testing, treatments and vaccines, whistleblower Rick Bright warned Thursday in testimony before a House committee. “Our window of opportunity is closing,” he declared.

The nation could face “the darkest winter in modern history” if the virus rebounds, the government vaccine scientist told lawmakers. Bright’s appearance came after his ouster last month as head of a Health and Human Services biodefense agency, an action he alleges was retaliation by the Trump administration.

“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,” he told the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “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.”"

Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar and Richard Lardner report for the Associated Press May 14, 2020.

SEE ALSO:

"Ousted Vaccine Official Testifies Country Still Lacks Master Plan Amid Pandemic" (Washington Post)

"5 Takeaways From Rick Bright's House Hearing" (CNN)

"Rick Bright, Ousted Director Of Vaccine Agency, Warns That Administration Lacks 'Centralized, Coordinated Plan'" (CNN)

"How Rick Bright Grabbed The Spotlight And Angered The Trump Administration" (Politico)

Source: AP, 05/15/2020