Former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), William Foege, is advising current head Robert Redfield to err on the side of caution and reveal the missteps taken by President Donald Trump in his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter Foege penned to Redfield in September, he sympathized with the current director.
“I start each day thinking about the terrible burden you bear. I don’t know what I would actually do, if in your position, but I do know what I wish I would do,” Foege wrote.
He argued the failure of the White House to prioritize the CDC in the coronavirus response “has resulted in the violation of every lesson learned in the last 75 years that made CDC the gold standard for public health in the world.”
Foege provided examples of how the CDC’s credibility has suffered because of Trump’s actions.
He noted Americans and the media are referring to the academic community rather than the CDC.
Another example is how states have developed their own plans to respond rather than depending on the federal government.
Foege accused Trump of thriving on “causing divisions.”
According to Foege, Trump’s tactics have left the United States on the outside of the global public health community.
He claimed the White House has failed to adhere to science and good management.
Foege encouraged Redfield to “acknowledge the tragedy of responding poorly, apologize for what has happened and your role in acquiescing.”
He reiterated, “Don’t shy away from the fact this has been an unacceptable toll on our country. It is a slaughter and not just a political dispute.”
Foege told Redfield not to forsake his role as a public servant in order to serve a “corrupt president.”
He explained while the White House would likely lash out against Redfield, at least he will have done the right thing.
“When they fire you this will be a multi-week story and you can hold your head high. That will take exceptional courage on your part. I can’t tell you what to do except to revisit your religious beliefs and ask yourself what is right,” Foege wrote.
