Dr. Birx Comes Under Fire After Reports Reveal She Traveled Over Thanksgiving Weekend, Saw Family
Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, is receiving some criticism following reports she traveled the day after Thanksgiving. The Associated Press reports that Birx traveled to a property…
Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, is receiving some criticism following reports she traveled the day after Thanksgiving.
The Associated Press reports that Birx traveled to a property on Fenwick Island in Delaware the day after Thanksgiving — seemingly contradicting her messaging to Americans to “be vigilant” over the holidays as the U.S. continues to combat the coronavirus pandemic. She also previously suggested people limit their in-person gatherings to their immediate household.
As the AP reports, “She was accompanied by three generations of her family from two households. Birx, her husband Paige Reffe, a daughter, son-in-law and two young grandchildren were present.”
Birx sought to defend herself, telling the AP that her travel to the home in Delaware was for the purpose of winterizing it for a potential sale rather than celebrate Thanksgiving.
“I did not go to Delaware for the purpose of celebrating Thanksgiving,” Birx said. She also noted that they did share a meal together.
She added that those who were there are part of her “immediate household,” though she did confirm that they live in two different homes, according to AP.
However, the reports of Birx’s traveling drew criticism from some.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) is one of the many who took to social media to express their disapproval with Birx following the reports.
He wrote on Twitter, “Deborah Birx has helped lead the charge to restrict American freedom this year. There are no excuses for her failing to follow her own hysterical recommendations to the letter of the law.”
“As I’ve been saying for months, she needs to go – immediately,” he added.
A virologist at the Georgetown Center for Global Health Science and Security, Dr. Angela Rasmussen, also said, “To me this disqualifies her from any future government health position. It’s a terrible message for someone in public health to be sending to the American people.”