White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx is planning on retiring after receiving criticism for a trip she made during the Thanksgiving weekend to winterize a vacation home.
During an interview with Newsy, Birx said she will assist President-elect Joe Biden and his team during the transition process, and then she plans to retire after that.
“I want the Biden administration to be successful,” Birx said, adding, “I will be helpful in any role that people think I can be helpful in, and then I will retire.”
Birx continued to reference criticism she received after the Associated Press reported that she traveled with “three generations of her family” to a vacation home in Delaware to winterize it over the Thanksgiving weekend. At the same time, health officials urged Americans to avoid traveling for the holiday to helps stop the spread of the coronavirus.
“This experience has been a bit overwhelming. It’s been very difficult on my family. I think what was done in the last week to my family, you know they didn’t choose this for me,” Birx said.
She continued:
“My daughter hasn’t left that house in 10 months. My parents have been isolated for 10 months. They’ve become deeply depressed, as I’m sure many elderly have, as they’ve not been able to see their sons, their granddaughters. My parents haven’t seen their surviving son for over a year. These are all very difficult things.”
Watch the video below:
EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Deborah Birx tells @newsy that she is willing to help with the #Biden transition but ultimately plans to retire, citing her family's treatment over the past week. pic.twitter.com/yEPy9s0Tf9
— Amber Strong TV (@AmberCStrong) December 22, 2020
Birx has defended the trip by clarifying that she did not travel to celebrate Thanksgiving. Instead, she said the trip was made to try to winterize the property ahead of a potential sale.
The AP reports that she was at that home with her husband, a daughter, a son-in-law, and two grandchildren.
Additionally, she told Fox News her family did not have a “usual” Thanksgiving dinner, which she said normally includes 30-40 family members.
Birx said, “In fact, I did not hold a Thanksgiving celebration whatsoever this year. My trip to Delaware after the Thanksgiving holiday solely focused on preparing the property for a potential sale. Members of my immediate household assisted in that as well.”
“As some members of my immediate family could be at risk for COVID-19, I am extremely vigilant in taking all precautions to protect them. I self-isolate, I wear a mask, and I get tested when I interact with them. My family and I follow and practice CDC guidelines.”
She added, “I encourage all Americans, especially those in situations similar to mine, to do the same.”