“Monitoring the situation is not a public health strategy,” says 314 Action President
Last week, a Russian plague researcher died following exposure to pneumonic plague, prompting local authorities to place nearly 200 people who had come into contact with her under medical observation. On Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the White House is “watching and monitoring closely.” In response, 314 Action President Shaughnessy Naughton released the following statement:
“Has this administration learned nothing from COVID-19? ‘Monitoring the situation’ isn’t a public health strategy—this moment demands a coordinated response from the White House and our Health and Human Services Secretary. And if this administration is serious about protecting Americans, Trump and Rubio should demand full transparency from the Russian government instead of rolling out the welcome mat for war criminal Vladimir Putin at the G20 in Miami. We don’t know what this is, but they do,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President and Founder of 314 Action.
“RFK Jr. and the Trump administration should be putting scientists in charge and rebuilding the CDC’s infectious disease and pandemic preparedness teams. Unfortunately, we’re unlikely to see any of that happen with RFK Jr. in charge––the man who fired thousands of career scientists at the CDC, blew off meetings about pandemic preparedness, and gutted the Office of Infectious Disease and AIDS Policy. While RFK Jr. tears down our defenses, the rest of us remember what happens when a public health crisis meets an incompetent administration. 1.1 million Americans were lost to COVID-19 while Trump encouraged Americans to inject bleach. We can’t let that happen ever again. This administration must take the necessary steps now to ensure we are prepared when the next threat comes to our shores.”