#INSURRECTION #SEDITION #TREASON #QUACK
White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Scott Atlas criticized Michigan's new Covid-19 restrictions in a tweet shortly after they were announced Sunday evening, urging people to "rise up" against the new public health measures
Dr. Scott Atlas, a controversial member of President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force, is facing heavy criticism after telling Michiganders to "rise up" against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's new COVID-19 restrictions imposed as new cases surge in the state.
The White House has attacked Fauci for his public disagreements with Trump and criticisms of Atlas in recent weeks. After Fauci told the Washington Post in an interview on Oct. 30 that the country needed to make an "abrupt change" in its response and called out Atlas for his lack of expertise, the White House called Fauci's comments "unacceptable," especially coming just before the election.
"I have real problems with that guy," Fauci said of Atlas. "He's a smart guy who's talking about things that I believe he doesn't have any real insight or knowledge or experience in. He keeps talking about things that when you dissect it out and parse it out, it doesn't make any sense."
With over 1.8 million cases reported in the last 15 days, November is well on track to become the country's worst month on record for COVID-19 cases.
In response to the rising numbers, Washington state and Oregon have also imposed new restrictions.
White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Scott Atlas criticized Michigan's new Covid-19 restrictions in a tweet shortly after they were announced Sunday evening, urging people to "rise up" against the new public health measures
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© Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump (L) listens to White House coronavirus adviser Dr. Scott Atlas speak during a press conference on September 23, 2020.
"The only way this stops is if people rise up," Atlas said. "You get what you accept. #FreedomMatters #StepUp"
His message -- which runs counter to the consensus of public health officials -- is likely to fuel new tension between the White House and Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, whom federal and state officials announced last month was the target of an alleged domestic terrorism kidnapping plot.
Responding to Atlas' tweet Sunday evening, Whitmer told CNN's Wolf Blitzer, "We know that the White House likes to single us out here in Michigan, me out in particular. I'm not going to be bullied into not following reputable scientists and medical professionals."
Instead, Whitmer said, she consults "people that actually have studied and are well respected worldwide on these issues, not the -- not the individual that is doing the President's bidding on this one."
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel echoed that message in a pair of tweets Sunday evening, casting Atlas' posting as, "disappointing, irresponsible, and the reason why the United States finds itself in such desperate circumstances regarding COVID-19."
"I look forward to a new federal administration that works cooperatively with our state government to protect Michigan residents," Nessel, a Democrat, said.
"A patriot," she continued, "is one who protects America from its enemies, both foreign and domestic."
"COVID-19 is the enemy, not each other. Stop pitting Americans against each other and start supporting policies proven to effectively fight the virus."
Whitmer announced in a news conference earlier Sunday that Michigan will begin a "three-week pause targeting indoor social gatherings and other group activities" to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
"If everyone does their part, we will see a big benefit from it," she told Blitzer of the new measures. "But we'll be assessing it every step of the way."
Throughout the pandemic, Whitmer has been the focus of extreme vitriol from far-right groups. The alleged scheme to kidnap her included plans to overthrow several state governments that the suspects "believe are violating the US Constitution," according to a federal criminal complaint.
Still, she joins a slate of officials who are tightening their restrictions as coronavirus cases continue to soar.
The United States surpassed 11 million coronavirus cases on Sunday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The latest milestone comes just six days after the US recorded 10 million cases.
It was the fastest the US has added one million new cases since the pandemic began.
Unlike the government medical experts who advised Trump in the early months of the pandemic, Atlas has adopted a public stance on the virus much closer to the President's -- including decrying the idea that schools cannot reopen this fall as "hysteria" and pushing for the resumption of college sports.
"He's working with us and will be working with us on the coronavirus," Trump said in August. "And he has many great ideas. And he thinks what we've done is really good, and now we'll take it to a new level."
"The only way this stops is if people rise up," Atlas said. "You get what you accept. #FreedomMatters #StepUp"
His message -- which runs counter to the consensus of public health officials -- is likely to fuel new tension between the White House and Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, whom federal and state officials announced last month was the target of an alleged domestic terrorism kidnapping plot.
Responding to Atlas' tweet Sunday evening, Whitmer told CNN's Wolf Blitzer, "We know that the White House likes to single us out here in Michigan, me out in particular. I'm not going to be bullied into not following reputable scientists and medical professionals."
Instead, Whitmer said, she consults "people that actually have studied and are well respected worldwide on these issues, not the -- not the individual that is doing the President's bidding on this one."
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel echoed that message in a pair of tweets Sunday evening, casting Atlas' posting as, "disappointing, irresponsible, and the reason why the United States finds itself in such desperate circumstances regarding COVID-19."
"I look forward to a new federal administration that works cooperatively with our state government to protect Michigan residents," Nessel, a Democrat, said.
"A patriot," she continued, "is one who protects America from its enemies, both foreign and domestic."
"COVID-19 is the enemy, not each other. Stop pitting Americans against each other and start supporting policies proven to effectively fight the virus."
Whitmer announced in a news conference earlier Sunday that Michigan will begin a "three-week pause targeting indoor social gatherings and other group activities" to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
"If everyone does their part, we will see a big benefit from it," she told Blitzer of the new measures. "But we'll be assessing it every step of the way."
Throughout the pandemic, Whitmer has been the focus of extreme vitriol from far-right groups. The alleged scheme to kidnap her included plans to overthrow several state governments that the suspects "believe are violating the US Constitution," according to a federal criminal complaint.
Still, she joins a slate of officials who are tightening their restrictions as coronavirus cases continue to soar.
The United States surpassed 11 million coronavirus cases on Sunday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The latest milestone comes just six days after the US recorded 10 million cases.
It was the fastest the US has added one million new cases since the pandemic began.
Unlike the government medical experts who advised Trump in the early months of the pandemic, Atlas has adopted a public stance on the virus much closer to the President's -- including decrying the idea that schools cannot reopen this fall as "hysteria" and pushing for the resumption of college sports.
"He's working with us and will be working with us on the coronavirus," Trump said in August. "And he has many great ideas. And he thinks what we've done is really good, and now we'll take it to a new level."
Atlas under fire for telling Michigan to 'rise up' against COVID-19 restrictions
Dr. Scott Atlas, a controversial member of President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force, is facing heavy criticism after telling Michiganders to "rise up" against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's new COVID-19 restrictions imposed as new cases surge in the state.
Whitmer has denounced Atlas' call to action, in a call with Michigan Capitol reporters Monday morning, slamming it as "incredibly reckless, considering everything that has happened, everything that is going on."
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top expert on infectious diseases, told NBC's "Today" program Monday he "totally disagrees" with Atlas, and Dr. Ashish Jha, the dean of Brown University's School of Public Health, called the comment "particularly irresponsible," noting the death threats officials say Whitmer has faced.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top expert on infectious diseases, told NBC's "Today" program Monday he "totally disagrees" with Atlas, and Dr. Ashish Jha, the dean of Brown University's School of Public Health, called the comment "particularly irresponsible," noting the death threats officials say Whitmer has faced.
© Chris Kleponis/POOL/EPA via Shutterstock
White House advisor Scott Atlas speaks to a member of the media at the White House in Washington, DC., Nov. 3, 2020.
"He is supposedly a physician and a disgrace to our profession," Jha said in a tweet Sunday night.MORE: President Trump's split with health advisers on coronavirus fuels speculation of shake-up
Whitmer, a Democrat who has come under frequent fire from Trump, detailed a new order Sunday to help slow the spread of the virus as the country enters a new wave resembling its peak in April.
In response to the rising number of cases, starting Wednesday for three weeks, Michigan will suspend in-person instruction at high schools and colleges, halt indoor dining at restaurants and close some businesses, including movie theaters and casinos.
"He is supposedly a physician and a disgrace to our profession," Jha said in a tweet Sunday night.MORE: President Trump's split with health advisers on coronavirus fuels speculation of shake-up
Whitmer, a Democrat who has come under frequent fire from Trump, detailed a new order Sunday to help slow the spread of the virus as the country enters a new wave resembling its peak in April.
In response to the rising number of cases, starting Wednesday for three weeks, Michigan will suspend in-person instruction at high schools and colleges, halt indoor dining at restaurants and close some businesses, including movie theaters and casinos.
© Michigan Office of the Governor via AP In this photo provided by the Michigan Office of the Governor, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a speech in Lansing, Mich., Nov. 15, 2020.
Shortly after the announcement, Atlas, a neuroradiologist with no training in infectious diseases who joined the White House coronavirus task force in August and has since railed against COVID-19 restrictions, tweeted, "The only way this stops is if people rise up. You get what you accept. #FreedomMatters #StepUp."
The language echoed Trump's previous calls to "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!"
Shortly after the announcement, Atlas, a neuroradiologist with no training in infectious diseases who joined the White House coronavirus task force in August and has since railed against COVID-19 restrictions, tweeted, "The only way this stops is if people rise up. You get what you accept. #FreedomMatters #StepUp."
The language echoed Trump's previous calls to "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!"
About three hours after the original tweet, Atlas attempted to walk back his comment as the criticism poured in, saying he wasn't talking about violence but raised people peacefully protesting and voting.
But Jha noted in his tweet that Whitmer is not up for election until 2022 and that Atlas "was not telling people to vote when he said they should rise up against her."
It all comes a little over a month after authorities revealed an alleged plot to overthrow the state Capitol and kidnap Whitmer. Individuals charged in the plot had protested against Whitmer's stringent restrictions which Trump also repeatedly criticized.
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xMORE: How FBI says Michigan gov kidnapping plot went from texts, small gatherings to raid
But Jha noted in his tweet that Whitmer is not up for election until 2022 and that Atlas "was not telling people to vote when he said they should rise up against her."
It all comes a little over a month after authorities revealed an alleged plot to overthrow the state Capitol and kidnap Whitmer. Individuals charged in the plot had protested against Whitmer's stringent restrictions which Trump also repeatedly criticized.
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xMORE: How FBI says Michigan gov kidnapping plot went from texts, small gatherings to raid
© Leah Millis/Reuters, FILE
President Donald Trump listens as Dr. Scott Atlas speaks to reporters during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC., Sept. 16, 2020.
Atlas, from Stanford's Hoover Institution, has become Trump's favorite adviser because they share the same view that closures and restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus aren't worth the economic turmoil and negative impact on the public's mental health. Atlas has advocated for the idea of allowing the virus to spread rapidly among healthy populations while shielding more vulnerable groups -- an idea that the nation's top public health experts say is nearly impossible and would result in unacceptable death tolls.
Fauci has distanced himself from Atlas several times in the past. While Fauci spent the summer warning of the dangers of rising case and urging mask-wearing and social distancing, Atlas argued that young people should resume their lives as normal and questioned the efficacy of mask-wearing.
Atlas, from Stanford's Hoover Institution, has become Trump's favorite adviser because they share the same view that closures and restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus aren't worth the economic turmoil and negative impact on the public's mental health. Atlas has advocated for the idea of allowing the virus to spread rapidly among healthy populations while shielding more vulnerable groups -- an idea that the nation's top public health experts say is nearly impossible and would result in unacceptable death tolls.
Fauci has distanced himself from Atlas several times in the past. While Fauci spent the summer warning of the dangers of rising case and urging mask-wearing and social distancing, Atlas argued that young people should resume their lives as normal and questioned the efficacy of mask-wearing.
The White House has attacked Fauci for his public disagreements with Trump and criticisms of Atlas in recent weeks. After Fauci told the Washington Post in an interview on Oct. 30 that the country needed to make an "abrupt change" in its response and called out Atlas for his lack of expertise, the White House called Fauci's comments "unacceptable," especially coming just before the election.
"I have real problems with that guy," Fauci said of Atlas. "He's a smart guy who's talking about things that I believe he doesn't have any real insight or knowledge or experience in. He keeps talking about things that when you dissect it out and parse it out, it doesn't make any sense."
© ABC News Dr. Fauci appears on "Good Morning America," Nov. 12, 2020.
As the country is on track to reach 250,000 COVID-19 deaths by the end of this week, surpassing the 240,000 top estimate the White House initially gave for the year, doctors including Jha are now saying the country should follow Michigan's lead now and note the restrictions are still less severe than those issued in spring, when several states including Michigan were under stay-at-home orders.
As the country is on track to reach 250,000 COVID-19 deaths by the end of this week, surpassing the 240,000 top estimate the White House initially gave for the year, doctors including Jha are now saying the country should follow Michigan's lead now and note the restrictions are still less severe than those issued in spring, when several states including Michigan were under stay-at-home orders.
With over 1.8 million cases reported in the last 15 days, November is well on track to become the country's worst month on record for COVID-19 cases.
In response to the rising numbers, Washington state and Oregon have also imposed new restrictions.
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