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In reply to the discussion: YAMICHE ALCINDOR [View all]Celerity
(43,684 posts)77. I ran the White House pandemic office. Trump closed it.
The federal government is moving too slowly, due to a lack of leadership.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/nsc-pandemic-office-trump-closed/2020/03/13/a70de09c-6491-11ea-acca-80c22bbee96f_story.html
By
Beth Cameron
Beth Cameron is vice president for global biological policy and programs at the Nuclear Threat Initiative. She previously served as the senior director for global health security and biodefense on the White House National Security Council.
When President Trump took office in 2017, the White Houses National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense survived the transition intact. Its mission was the same as when I was asked to lead the office, established after the Ebola epidemic of 2014: to do everything possible within the vast powers and resources of the U.S. government to prepare for the next disease outbreak and prevent it from becoming an epidemic or pandemic.
One year later, I was mystified when the White House dissolved the office, leaving the country less prepared for pandemics like covid-19. The U.S. governments slow and inadequate response to the new coronavirus underscores the need for organized, accountable leadership to prepare for and respond to pandemic threats.
In a health security crisis, speed is essential. When this new coronavirus emerged, there was no clear White House-led structure to oversee our response, and we lost valuable time. Yes, we have capable and committed global and national disease-prevention and management organizations, as well as state and local health departments, all working overtime now. But even in prepared cities like Seattle, health systems are struggling to test patients and keep pace with growing caseloads. The specter of rapid community transmission and exponential growth is real and daunting. The job of a White House pandemics office would have been to get ahead: to accelerate the response, empower experts, anticipate failures, and act quickly and transparently to solve problems.
Its impossible to assess the full impact of the 2018 decision to disband the White House office responsible for this work. Biological experts do remain in the White House and in our government. But it is clear that eliminating the office has contributed to the federal governments sluggish domestic response. Whats especially concerning about the absence of this office today is that it was originally set up because a previous epidemic made the need for it quite clear.
snip
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/nsc-pandemic-office-trump-closed/2020/03/13/a70de09c-6491-11ea-acca-80c22bbee96f_story.html
By
Beth Cameron
Beth Cameron is vice president for global biological policy and programs at the Nuclear Threat Initiative. She previously served as the senior director for global health security and biodefense on the White House National Security Council.
When President Trump took office in 2017, the White Houses National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense survived the transition intact. Its mission was the same as when I was asked to lead the office, established after the Ebola epidemic of 2014: to do everything possible within the vast powers and resources of the U.S. government to prepare for the next disease outbreak and prevent it from becoming an epidemic or pandemic.
One year later, I was mystified when the White House dissolved the office, leaving the country less prepared for pandemics like covid-19. The U.S. governments slow and inadequate response to the new coronavirus underscores the need for organized, accountable leadership to prepare for and respond to pandemic threats.
In a health security crisis, speed is essential. When this new coronavirus emerged, there was no clear White House-led structure to oversee our response, and we lost valuable time. Yes, we have capable and committed global and national disease-prevention and management organizations, as well as state and local health departments, all working overtime now. But even in prepared cities like Seattle, health systems are struggling to test patients and keep pace with growing caseloads. The specter of rapid community transmission and exponential growth is real and daunting. The job of a White House pandemics office would have been to get ahead: to accelerate the response, empower experts, anticipate failures, and act quickly and transparently to solve problems.
Its impossible to assess the full impact of the 2018 decision to disband the White House office responsible for this work. Biological experts do remain in the White House and in our government. But it is clear that eliminating the office has contributed to the federal governments sluggish domestic response. Whats especially concerning about the absence of this office today is that it was originally set up because a previous epidemic made the need for it quite clear.
snip
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That answer doesn't jibe with his previous "My opinion is the only one that matters" bullshit.
denbot
Mar 2020
#37
If I'm not mistaken, he has accused Yamiche of asking a "stupid question" in the past.
Arkansas Granny
Mar 2020
#33
Ugh. I'd so like to kick that orange abomination right in that ugly face.
BlancheSplanchnik
Mar 2020
#55
Why don't members of the WH press corps have each others' backs?
LastLiberal in PalmSprings
Mar 2020
#56
trump thinks the money should be in his pocket, even if it kills people.
Hermit-The-Prog
Mar 2020
#50
While we are praising Yamiche, let's not forget the other woman color, Kristen Welker
tulipsandroses
Mar 2020
#80
Hear hear! She also asked him if he was being selfish not getting tested
flibbitygiblets
Mar 2020
#83
"Mr. President, I'm a nasty woman reporter and have a nasty question for you."
KY_EnviroGuy
Mar 2020
#84
Surprised he didnt call her a racist. He did before when she aske dhim a question
SummerSnow
Mar 2020
#92