Report: 'Distressed' Dr. Deborah Birx questions her future on the coronavirus taskforce

A “distressed” Dr. Deborah Birx is wondering how long she can remain on the White House’s coronavirus taskforce, according to a report Wednesday from CNN.

Birx has told aides and friends she is discouraged with the direction of the task force and has described the nation’s response to the covid-19 pandemic as “nightmarish,” according to the report. She also is unhappy with what she sees as her diminished role on it and that “she is not certain how much longer she can serve in her position.”

The CNN report claims Birx is upset about the power given to Dr. Scott Atlas, a recent addition to the task force, who she believes is dangerously unqualified for his post.

The WH is denying reports that Dr. Deborah Birx is “distressed” and “unhappy” over the influence of Dr. Scott Atlas - who has no infectious disease experience - on the COVID-19 task force.

CBS News has learned that Dr. Birx isn’t the only task force member he's clashed with. pic.twitter.com/YDVFHH7qVJ

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) September 24, 2020

Atlas, a neuroradiologist and fellow at the conservative Hoover Institution, joined the White House in August as one of President Trump’s top coronavirus advisers. He was tapped largely because of the president’s affinity for what the doctor said during Fox News appearances.

Watching Scott Atlas talk, I really miss Deborah Birx

— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) September 23, 2020

A friend of Birx told the network, “the president has found somebody (Atlas) who matches what he wants to believe. There is no doubt that she feels that her role has been diminished.”

Whatever happened to Deborah Birx?

— Hari Kunzru (@harikunzru) September 23, 2020