Carper Statement on Announcement of President-elect Biden’s Coronavirus Advisory Board

WILMINGTON, DE – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement regarding the announcement of President-elect Biden’s Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board that will include 13 public health experts led by Vivek Murthy, former Surgeon General, Dr. David Kessler, former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner and Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, an associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at Yale University.

“Yesterday marked the fifth highest day of new coronavirus cases in our country since the pandemic began. The United States has now surpassed the grim milestone of over 10 million cases nationwide. Hospitalizations and deaths are also on the rise before we even enter the cold winter months. While we are seeing spikes in the coronavirus around the world, the United States has more cases of coronavirus than any nation on Earth. After all, America has less than 5 percent of the world’s population, but our country accounts for nearly 20 percent of the world’s deaths and cases from coronavirus. We have to do better, and that starts with listening to the medical and public health experts and taking the common sense steps that have successfully helped control the spread of this virus in countries around the world.

“I think that it is admirable that, on day one, President-elect Biden’s first priority is ensuring that his transition is guided by science as they address this unprecedented public health and economic challenge. By working in partnership with governors and local officials, prioritizing evidence-based guidance, expanding much-needed testing, and investing in vaccine distribution, we can save lives and protect livelihoods. Rather than try to discredit the science, let’s work together to use it to finally get this virus under control.”