The Trump administration’s COVID-19 testing czar on Wednesday laid out the dire situation the United States faces with the exploding coronavirus pandemic.
Adm. Brett Giroir, a Department of Health and Human Services assistant secretary and member of the White House coronavirus task force, told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell that the successful development of two COVID-19 vaccines is “very positive news.” But he said it was imperative to “understand where we are right now” as new daily case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths soar to record levels.
“This is not going in the right direction,” said Giroir, describing the U.S. as “at a critical, dangerous point” in the public health emergency.
The current data is “absolutely concerning,” he said.
“I lose sleep at night over where we are in the pandemic right now,” Giroir continued. “This is crunch time. This is not crying wolf.”
“This is a time that we need to really double down,” he added, “because we are at the most serious and dangerous part of the pandemic that we have been in, in the United States until this time.”
(Check out the interview above.)
Giroir made similar comments on CNN’s “OutFront,” saying “the end of the pandemic is in sight” with the vaccines, but warning things “will get worse” before they improve.
He urged people to wear masks, avoid crowds and respect social distancing.
Check out that interview here:
- Here’s the latest science on COVID antibodies.
- How does the coronavirus spread differently than the flu?
- What does the new CDC definition of a COVID-19 “close contact” mean for you?
- Is it safe to see grandparents for the holidays?
- Therapists predict how this year will shape our mental health.
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