Dr Scott Atlas joins White House coronavirus task force; lockdown critic has no infectious diseases expertise

Washington: President Donald Trump has found a new doctor for his coronavirus task force — and this time there’s no daylight between them. “He has many great ideas and he thinks what we’ve done is really good.” Atlas’ hiring comes amid ongoing tensions between the president and Drs Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, and Deborah Birx, the task force’s coordinator. In television appearances, Atlas has called on the nation to “get a grip" and argued that “there’s nothing wrong" with having low-risk people get infected, as long as the vulnerable are protected. “His medical degree isn’t even close to infectious diseases and public health and he has no experience in dealing with public health outbreaks.” “Its very clear to me," Gostin added, “that the president brought on somebody who will just be a mouthpiece for his agenda and a ‘yes’ person.” Gostin expressed concern that Trump was sidelining other doctors, including Birx and Fauci, because he had soured on their advice. “You want clear independent advice from people with long experience in fighting novel pandemics and he has none of those credentials.” Kavita Patel, a primary care physician and health policy expert who served in the Obama White House, said there’s little that can prepare a doctor for the crucible of a presidential staff, let alone working for the famously volatile Trump.