Bright knew PPE would be in short supply, he got alerts in mid and late January and said he heard from the industry view, the supply chain was "diminishing rapidly" and many countries we relied on for the masks were blocking transport.
China was trying to buy equipment from producers to make more. In each of these alerts, Bright pushed them forward to Kadlec and others on senior leadership and to the critical infrastructure protection team, to the strategic national stockpile team.
Bright: "In each of those interactions, I was met with indifference, saying they were too busy, they didn't have a plan, they didn't know who was responsible for procuring them. In some cases they had a sick child and would get back to it later in the week."
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Bright says there were "a number of excuses but never any action."
After weeks of his pushing and surveys to producers, he had a mtg on Feb 7 w/dept leadership when he urged them to secure N95 masks. They told Bright they did not believe there was critical urgency to procure.
After weeks of his pushing and surveys to producers, he had a mtg on Feb 7 w/dept leadership when he urged them to secure N95 masks. They told Bright they did not believe there was critical urgency to procure.
Bright of HHS leadership "They conducted a few surveys, talked to a few hospitals and said they didn't yet see a critical shortage."
Bright said there would be.
Bright said there would be.
Bright: They indicated if they noticed a shortage, they would simply change guidelines to better inform those who shouldn't be wearing the masks and save the masks for health care workers. My response was I cannot believe you can sit & say that w/ a straight face. it was absurd."
DEVELOPING.
“The virus is spreading everywhere, people are getting restless and want to leave their homes and we have to make critical decisions about how to balance the economy and the science,” ousted vax chief Dr. Rick Bright told Congress Thursday.
courthousenews.com/ousted-vaccine…
“The virus is spreading everywhere, people are getting restless and want to leave their homes and we have to make critical decisions about how to balance the economy and the science,” ousted vax chief Dr. Rick Bright told Congress Thursday.
courthousenews.com/ousted-vaccine…
Rep John Sarbanes, D-Md., thanks Bright for coming forward and blowing the whistle on the administration's "misguided and chaotic" response.
He says if Bright's response to his warnings had been heeded, things may have been different. I'm sure it haunts you, Sarbanes says.
He says if Bright's response to his warnings had been heeded, things may have been different. I'm sure it haunts you, Sarbanes says.
Dr. Bright says when he spoke to N95 producer Mike Bowen and learned that mask supply was decimated. Bowen said "We are in deep shit and the world is".
Bright says from that moment "I knew we were going to have a crisis for healthcare workers. We were already behind the ball. That was our last opportunity to turn on the production to save the lives of those healthcare workers and we didn't act."
Did Bright talked to stockpile manager Greg Burrell from '09 to '20 about what was in the strategic national stockpile
Absolutely, Bright said. They met on a monthly basis for years to discuss recommendations but it was SNS's responsibility to make those purchases, not BARDA.
Absolutely, Bright said. They met on a monthly basis for years to discuss recommendations but it was SNS's responsibility to make those purchases, not BARDA.
Did pressure from the WH put Dr. Bright in a difficult situation?
Bright, waits a moment, "We had to come up with a different solution that the administration would respect."
Bright, waits a moment, "We had to come up with a different solution that the administration would respect."
The full stunning quote from Dr. Bright about what keeps him up at night and haunts him today.
@CourthouseNews
@CourthouseNews
Bright: There are critical steps we must do to prepare for the winter. We still don't have enough PPE. We still do not have supply chains ramped up for drugs and vaccines.
Dr. Bright: "We still do not have a comprehensive testing strategy so Americans know which tests do what and what to do with that information so we can find that virus, trap it and kill it."
Rep Mullin is grilling Bright on his credibility, salary, and his taking sick leave.
Bright made an annual salary of $285,000 at BARDA.
His salary has remained the same since he was transferred to NIH.
They just onboarded last night and just discussed his new responsibilities.
Bright made an annual salary of $285,000 at BARDA.
His salary has remained the same since he was transferred to NIH.
They just onboarded last night and just discussed his new responsibilities.
He's been on medical leave for hypertension and he transitions to vacation time soon.
Rep Mullin, R-OK pushing Bright, saying "hm" as Bright explains the stressors he's undergone: "You can manage a pandemic, but you can't manage your own hypertension but you can still rec pay"
Rep Mullin, R-OK pushing Bright, saying "hm" as Bright explains the stressors he's undergone: "You can manage a pandemic, but you can't manage your own hypertension but you can still rec pay"
Walden asks Debra Katz, Bright's attorneys if she has exhibits meant to go with his OSC complaint with her today.
She says some are. And some are her work product.
And she says they are not appropriate to turn over but she then says she can discuss that as prev. established
She says some are. And some are her work product.
And she says they are not appropriate to turn over but she then says she can discuss that as prev. established
Walden asks if he will turn the full record over?
Debra Katz goes to answer, Walden says, I'm talking to Bright.
Katz throws herself back in her chair.
Bright says he has submitted everything to OSC.
Debra Katz goes to answer, Walden says, I'm talking to Bright.
Katz throws herself back in her chair.
Bright says he has submitted everything to OSC.
"We have to make sure we have scientifically led and driven decisions to safely reopen America. We do need to open America up sooner but we need to make sure everyone understands the risk of their activities," Bright says.
We need to have a testing plan in place so people know when they are exposed so they can isolate and quarantine.
That's the theme today folks - we need cohesion across the board to see our way through.
That's the theme today folks - we need cohesion across the board to see our way through.
Rep Richard Hudson, R-SC, asks why Bright expressed some interest toward hydroxychloroquine initially, why were screen shots of his correspondence included in exhibits not full gamut?
Bright notes the messages, in context, were from "the early days."
Bright notes the messages, in context, were from "the early days."
It was before they knew it was unsafe from Pakistan. It was when they thought the drug would be used at NIH to conduct randomized clinical studies, he says.
But when it became clear the plan was to make the drug available, even though it was uninspected from India and Pakistan, and was going to administered without close supervision of a healthcare provider, that raised his alarm.
Rep Joe Kennedy recites a series of Qs. asking Bright when he first became aware of certain things. Like when he first became aware of Covid.
That was January, Bright says.
He wasn't aware of Kadlec raising use of Defense Production Act at the same time though.
That was January, Bright says.
He wasn't aware of Kadlec raising use of Defense Production Act at the same time though.
Kennedy notes:
US sent 17.8 tons of medical supplies to China in January. The Trump admin budget in Feb 2020 called for a cut to CDC by nearly $700M.
Pete Navarro issued a memo warning of the possible impact of virus
There was spread among senior WH and admin officials.
US sent 17.8 tons of medical supplies to China in January. The Trump admin budget in Feb 2020 called for a cut to CDC by nearly $700M.
Pete Navarro issued a memo warning of the possible impact of virus
There was spread among senior WH and admin officials.
It was Apr 2 when Trump finally activated the Defense Production Act.
Kennedy notes the order did not extend full authority and left states to haphazardly compete against each other for PPE.
Kennedy notes the order did not extend full authority and left states to haphazardly compete against each other for PPE.
Rep. @joekennedy: How can we possibly say this administration has prepared our country for the moment we are? Or that we will be prepared to get 330 million Americans on a course of vaccine in the months ahead?
Dr. Bright: I fear we have a lot to do, sir.
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Dr. Bright: I fear we have a lot to do, sir.
@CourthouseNews
Bright notes that career scientists raised concerns about shortages and says "there's evidence of that."
He again mentions that Kadlec was dismissive of him.
Sounds to me like the committee needs to hear from Kadlec.
He again mentions that Kadlec was dismissive of him.
Sounds to me like the committee needs to hear from Kadlec.
Another concern of Bright's:
Healthcare workers are having to compromise their protection and their safety; like using a single mask for an entire week or cleaning them in ways that aren't fully vetted yet.
Healthcare workers are having to compromise their protection and their safety; like using a single mask for an entire week or cleaning them in ways that aren't fully vetted yet.
His removal was based on the actions he took and what was said between Kadlec and himself, Bright says.
Rep Billy Long, R-Missouri says if the culture at HHS is so hostile to science as Bright alleges, why was Fauci permitted to testify? (Recall Fauci came toHouse in March)
Rep Billy Long, R-Missouri says if the culture at HHS is so hostile to science as Bright alleges, why was Fauci permitted to testify? (Recall Fauci came toHouse in March)
Bright says he isn't suggesting the entirety of HHS is hostile.
"My supervisor was conducting an inappropriate activity going around scientific vetting," Bright says.
Then, "It was isolated with Dr. Kadlec... maybe some of his senior staff were aware."
"My supervisor was conducting an inappropriate activity going around scientific vetting," Bright says.
Then, "It was isolated with Dr. Kadlec... maybe some of his senior staff were aware."
Rep Long, R-Missouri shoots back, "But wouldn't it be normal protocol for you to go to secy of HHS instead of deciding one day you're gonna... "
He trails off.
Bright says, I didn't decide. I was pushed out.
He trails off.
Bright says, I didn't decide. I was pushed out.
Bright notes he raised a possible inspector general investigation w/ the secy's office of gen. counsel at HHS in '18. He wanted a review of "inappropriate political pressure in contracting activities, discussion about procurement integrity." He does not think there was follow up
Rep. @PeterWelch notes a Trump tweet where the president suggested the stock market looked very good and that the virus was under control.
Did Bright think it was under control at the time?
Bright says not he nor any scientist he knew thought so at the time.
@CourthouseNews
Did Bright think it was under control at the time?
Bright says not he nor any scientist he knew thought so at the time.
@CourthouseNews
Rep. Paul Ruiz went over the delays around the administration's rollout of remdesivir.
Reporting first on that from:
washingtonpost.com/business/2020/…
Bright notes lawmakers Navarro agreed with Bright, he drafted a memo on Feb to Mick Mulvaney to share those concerns w/task force.
Reporting first on that from:
washingtonpost.com/business/2020/…
Bright notes lawmakers Navarro agreed with Bright, he drafted a memo on Feb to Mick Mulvaney to share those concerns w/task force.
Ruiz: Could this fiasco have been avoided had they listened to you? You were right about the dangers of hydroxychloroquine, you were right about the benefits of remdesivir, you were right about the masks.
Rep Ruiz, D-Calif.: And you were fired from your job while the officials who botched their response and warnings, they stay in theirs... This is dangerous to the American people.
Rep. Carter, R-Georgia is late to the party.
Bright has repeatedly said why he first expressed interest in hydroxychloroquine. When they thought it would be randomized tests at NIH, that was one matter. It changed when the directive was broad distro w/o close supervision
Bright has repeatedly said why he first expressed interest in hydroxychloroquine. When they thought it would be randomized tests at NIH, that was one matter. It changed when the directive was broad distro w/o close supervision
That directive first came from Admiral Giroir and indicated the White House was asking for hydroxychloroquine to be more broadly available, Dr. Bright says.
@CourthouseNews
@CourthouseNews
Rep Carter continued to push, even though he went 2 minutes over his time. Chairman Eshoo settles the dust-up.
Bright seems to take a breath, settles himself and sits upright.
"The drug had been used safely for malaria for a number of years," he says, Carter crosstalks.
Bright seems to take a breath, settles himself and sits upright.
"The drug had been used safely for malaria for a number of years," he says, Carter crosstalks.
Eshoo gavels and we move on.
Rep Debbie Dingell speaks now, and talks about how many people she has lost in her own life due to Covid-19.
Rep Debbie Dingell speaks now, and talks about how many people she has lost in her own life due to Covid-19.
.@RepDebDingell: If his suggestions were implemented, might lives have been saved or the severity lessened?
Bright: If we had proper PPE for HC workers. People died because they didn't have appropriate protective equipment to save their lives & protect them from getting infected
Bright: If we had proper PPE for HC workers. People died because they didn't have appropriate protective equipment to save their lives & protect them from getting infected
Dr. Bright says unequivocally to the committee:
"There still are not enough tests."
Rep. Dingell: Is true, even this week that 'anybody who wants a test can get at test'? Is that true in the United States of America?
Dr. Bright: No.
@CourthouseNews
"There still are not enough tests."
Rep. Dingell: Is true, even this week that 'anybody who wants a test can get at test'? Is that true in the United States of America?
Dr. Bright: No.
@CourthouseNews
It is going to be extremely challenging, Bright says, to see a vaccine in time for the fall. Again, he said earlier that he believes 12-18 months is very optimistic and that is barring any delays or foibles. Or worse.
Rep. Robin Kelly raises the issue of the disproportionate impact the virus has on low-income communities.
Bright: Unfortunately, there is increased concern in communities that are not part of the mainstream.
Whether it is health/HC or immunization status.
Bright: Unfortunately, there is increased concern in communities that are not part of the mainstream.
Whether it is health/HC or immunization status.
"We are still learning a lot about why this happening but the diagnostic tests we have, they should be available to everyone," Dr. Bright says. "Not just rapid and accurate, they must be low cost. "
Rep Kelly and Bright agree that NIH should work to improve data, esp. recording race of those who die so we can better to and understand how these communities are impacted and how they can be helped.
Dr. Bright says there must be equitable distribution of supplies and prepare for a ramp up in the fall.
This virus will overcome us in significant ways, still.
This virus will overcome us in significant ways, still.
"We have limited time, we have the greatest scientific minds in our country to do it. We need to listen to them and everyone: get busy stopping this virus," Bright says.
It is worth noting that the lawmaker has lost family members to the virus in the last week.
It is worth noting that the lawmaker has lost family members to the virus in the last week.
Rep. Nanette Barragan, D-Calif. notes how Bright was aware the N95 masks stockpile was depleted and the total amount needed was 3.5 billion.
Azar said only 300k +/- were needed at the start of the pandemic.
That's an order of magnitude so much less than what you stated, she says
Azar said only 300k +/- were needed at the start of the pandemic.
That's an order of magnitude so much less than what you stated, she says
Dr. Bright: "I believe Americans need to be told the truth and the best scientific guidance was not being conveyed at the time. By not telling America the truth or being fully transparent, people were not as prepared as they could have been or should have been."
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Dr. Bright: "We did not warn people or train people on wearing a mask in January and February. All of those forewarnings and educational opportunities could have had an impact on further slowing this outbreak."
@CourthouseNews
@CourthouseNews
HHS needs leadership to distinguish how to clarify for the American public that it is not just "a test" that they need.
There are many different tests that tell us many different things.
Another challenge is, much testing capacity expansion is offshore.
There are many different tests that tell us many different things.
Another challenge is, much testing capacity expansion is offshore.
Bright continues: If the supply chain is off shore and there is a global need and competition for that supply chain, that significantly impairs our ability to ramp up.
Back with you shortly.
We are closing. He has been here for just under 4 hours of testimony.
Chairman Eshoo says he is the finest ambassador in our country for scientists.
The depth and breadth of his encyclopedic knowledge should give the American people confidence while he has also issued a warning
Chairman Eshoo says he is the finest ambassador in our country for scientists.
The depth and breadth of his encyclopedic knowledge should give the American people confidence while he has also issued a warning
Eshoo: Facts are really stubborn things and sometimes its really uncomfortable to deal with the facts we are facing. But the U.S. still has more cases, deaths, by far than any other nation on earth & by that definition, we have, in my view, a profound failure.
Bright has been a roadmap for the public today, Eshoo says.
She thanks him for his courage, for what has raised his blood pressure, she says, in a nod to the intense questioning launched on Bright by a Republican lawmaker earlier.
She thanks him for his courage, for what has raised his blood pressure, she says, in a nod to the intense questioning launched on Bright by a Republican lawmaker earlier.
Ranking member Burgess delivers his closing remarks.
He welcomed the hearing today, he appreciated Bright being here and says he does think we need to look into the issue of testing. "I simply do not understand how the CDC got so far behind the curve... but..."
He welcomed the hearing today, he appreciated Bright being here and says he does think we need to look into the issue of testing. "I simply do not understand how the CDC got so far behind the curve... but..."
Burgess says he feels that in previous admins, there was too much red tape from FDA on vax and "that really did put us behind."
That concludes my live-tweet session today.
Thanks for joining me. I will have an updated story for @CourthouseNews coming soon.
In the meantime, developing here:
courthousenews.com/ousted-vaccine…
Thanks for joining me. I will have an updated story for @CourthouseNews coming soon.
In the meantime, developing here:
courthousenews.com/ousted-vaccine…
UPDATED. There weren’t two ways about it, the world was about to be in “deep shit.” This proclamation in an email to Dr. Rick Bright from a supplier of N95 masks was a moment that still haunts him today as the death toll from Covid-19 rises above 80,000.
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wp.me/p7VhVF-2oPw
