Dr. Deborah Birx has faced criticism recently for vacationing with her family over the holiday season despite warning Americans not to do the same.
What happened:
Birx and other U.S. health officials warned Americans to avoid travel on Thanksgiving, suggesting families keep their gatherings to their immediate household.
- Officials worried the holiday season would lead to a COVID-19 surge across the country.
The Associated Press reports that Birx traveled to a vacation property in Delaware with three generations in her family — which came from two different households.
Criticism
Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Georgetown Center for Global Health Science and Security, told The Associated Press that the decision to travel “disqualifies” Birx from any governmental positions in the future.
- “It’s a terrible message for someone in public health to be sending to the American people,” she said.
Response:
Birx issued a statement to The Associated Press about the travel. She said her visit was meant to deal with how the property would be handled over the winter. She said her family did share a meal.
- “I did not go to Delaware for the purpose of celebrating Thanksgiving,” Birx said in her statement.