Joe Biden names Indian-American as co-chair of coronavirus task force
Keeping his promise of acting on the coronavirus pandemic as soon as he takes office, US President-elect Joe Biden formed a task force, which will guide his administration. One of three co-chairs of this important body is an Indian-American. Dr. Vivek Murthy, a former US Surgeon General, would lead the COVID-19 Advisory Board. The pandemic has infected 10,422,026 in the US and killed 244,449.
Trump was berated over poor handling of coronavirus crisis
Throughout the US Presidential election campaign, Biden slammed President Donald Trump over his lax attitude toward the raging health crisis. After winning, Biden assured he would work to mitigate the virus' impact from "day one." "Dealing with the pandemic is one of the most important battles our administration will face, and I will be informed by science and by experts," the 77-year-old said.
Board will help shape my approach: Biden
The President-elect added, "The advisory board will help shape my approach to managing the surge in reported infections; ensuring vaccines are safe, effective, and distributed efficiently, equitably, and free; and protecting at-risk populations."
Obama administration had made Dr. Murthy US' youngest Surgeon General
Interestingly, in 2015, the Barack Obama administration had made Dr. Murthy the youngest Surgeon General in the US. The then VP, Biden had administered the oath. "To have the opportunity to serve as Surgeon General is an extraordinary honor and a profound responsibility. I want to thank President Obama for entrusting me with the stewardship of this office," Dr. Murthy said at the time.
Dr. Murthy hails from a family of farmers in Karnataka
Notably, Dr. Murthy's family comes from a small village, Hallegere, in the Mandya district of Karnataka. His physician father had migrated to the US after staying in the UK for a few years. "We were not supposed to have become Americans. My parents stopped in three other countries - including a brutal dictatorship - on their journey to get here," Dr. Murthy had said.
All because of my family: Dr. Murthy
At the ceremony, Dr. Murthy had said, "I am who I am because of my grandmother's faith, my father's strength, my mother's love, my sister's support, and my fiancée's unyielding belief in me." A graduate of Harvard University, Dr. Murthy has an MD from Yale School of Medicine. He also did an MBA in healthcare policy from Yale School of Management.
However, Trump administration had sacked Dr. Murthy in 2017
While Biden seemed impressed by Dr. Murthy's achievements, the Republicans had opposed his appointment. He received ire for calling gun violence a threat to public life. In 2017, after Dr. Murthy helped with the "smooth transition" of President Donald Trump, he was sacked. As per NYT, he was fired after he refused to step down.
Biden is preparing an army to take on coronavirus
Dr. Murthy's appointment shows Biden has turned to trusted lieutenants to deal with the gigantic health crisis. David Kessler, who was the FDA Commissioner from 1990 to 1997, and Yale University Professor Marcella Nunez-Smith were named as other co-chairs. Luciana Borio, Rick Bright, Ezekiel Emanuel, Celine Gounder, Julie Morita, Michael Osterholm, Loyce Pace, Robert Rodriguez, and Eric Goosby are other members of the body.
