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Bernie Sanders: We need scientists, not politicians, in charge of the coronavirus response
Let scientists and health professionals take charge. Stop spreading lies and focus on minimizing the risk and addressing health care needs.
Bernie Sanders - Opinion contributor
March 5, 2020
Excerpt:
President Trump’s response to the coronavirus has been incompetent, political and reckless. He has given wrong and misleading information about the outbreak, wasted precious time playing petty politics, and called the criticism of his coronavirus response a hoax. Even worse, he is all but ignoring the recommendations of scientists and public health professionals — the experts we must rely upon if we are to successfully address the pandemic.
In the midst of a global healthcare crisis, how could anybody gain public confidence by appointing Mike Pence to lead the coronavirus task force — a politician with no scientific background. We need a president who believes in science and listens to scientists. We need a president who is for expanding — not cutting — funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). And we need a president who believes in American leadership that works with our international partners in the World Health Organization (WHO), and other entities that deal with global health.
When we are dealing with the spread of a deadly virus, the first thing scientists tell us is that it is imperative for anyone who experiences flu-like symptoms to go to a doctor. But, as a result of our dysfunctional healthcare system, tens of millions of Americans are uninsured or underinsured and do not seek medical attention when they need it because they cannot afford it. The Trump administration must make clear that, until we pass universal health care, as every major country on earth has done, all Americans right now should be able to receive the medical care they need, without worrying about the cost. If we are to stop the spread of this disease, everybody should get the medical treatment they need regardless of their income.
Further, with the spread of coronavirus, we have already seen examples of people hit with massive medical bills, simply for doing the right thing by getting tested when they experienced symptoms. Others may face bills in the hundreds of thousands for hospitalization, treatment and quarantine if they need it. This must end.
And once a vaccine is developed, it should be free. It is outrageous that during his Congressional testimony, Trump’s HHS Secretary Alex Azar would not guarantee that a coronavirus vaccine would be affordable to all.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/03/05/bernie-sanders-scientists-coronavirus-outbreak-not-politicians-column/4938730002/
