The U.S. immunologist who says he lost his government job because he warned the Trump administration to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic isn't backing off his bleak forecast.
Dr. Rick Bright told Congress on Thursday that America faces the “darkest winter in modern history” unless its leaders act decisively to prevent a rebound of the coronavirus.
"Our window of opportunity is closing. If we fail to develop a national coordinated response, based in science, I fear the pandemic will get far worse and be prolonged, causing unprecedented illness and fatalities," Bright said.
Bright appeared before the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
In prepared testimony (below), Bright says failing to develop a national coordinated response, based in science, could mean the pandemic will get far worse and cause unprecedented illness and fatalities.
The ousted vaccine chief filed a whistleblower complaint last week alleging he was removed from his post in retaliation for opposing the use of hydroxychloroquine - a drug president trump previously touted as a coronavirus treatment.
The president, meanwhile, tweeted shortly before the testimony began that he has never met bright, and called him a disgruntled employee.
Bright has been transferred to the National Institutes of Health.
The HHS calls this "a personnel matter currently under review," and "strongly disagrees with the allegations."
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(AP, CBS contributed to this report.)
