I watched the CNN Covid docs special, last night. Dr. Redfield didn't come across very well, IMHO

[Siwsan]

Something about him set off some red lights, in my mind. His rambling explanation/mitigation of his praise for trump* fell really flat, with me. I don't know how I feel about his theory on the source of the virus - yea, it could have been formed in a lab. It could also have come from an animal. Both are possible but I'm not smart enough to be able to know which is more probable.

Dr. Birx - I guess I understand her a little better. She landed in a mess and I think was trying to NOT stoke things up, even worse. I put her in the 'walk a mile in her shoes' category. I'd LOVE to know what trump* said to her, during that phone conversation.

Dr. Han - Still not too sure about him but when it comes to who has more credibility, between him and Azar I'd give more to Han.

Dr. Fauci was, as usual, incredibly credible, interesting and informative.

[Turbineguy]

1. It must be kind of awkward

having been on the team that killed so many people.

[Siwsan]

2. And so frustrating to have one's expertise sidelined and/or disparaged.

Years and years of education, internships, residencies, fellowships, board certifications/recertifications, and first hand, boots on the ground clinical and research experience dismissed by a moron.

[jcgoldie]

3. Didn't see it

So my comments are uninformed I suppose as regards that show but Redfield has always struck me as a snake and as for Birx I don't think anyone has to walk a mile in her shoes to know that rationalizing for Trump as he stands on stage advising people to drink bleach was a very weak choice and antithetical to the role she was supposed to be playing.

[Siwsan]

5. Dr. Fauci still speaks highly of her, so his words carry a lot of weight, for me.

Referring to the bleach remarks, I'd like to think I'd have the courage to have jumped up and spoken out, but that was a stunning blindside. Who knows what all was going on behind the scenes. I remember Dr. Fauci doing a face palm at something the other guy said, but he didn't speak up, in the moment, either.

[soothsayer]

4. Redfield and Birx are evangelicals (not that there's anything wrong with it)

Makes me wonder if their beliefs got in the way, since the former guy walks on water in their eyes

[Siwsan]

6. They are both also former military

I believe both were career officers. That mindset is hard to shake.

[soothsayer]

7. Yeah, could play into it too. Tragic inaction.

[Paladin]

8. Redfield has NEVER come across well to me.

And Birx is only marginally better. The MD's who pimped for trump ought to be thankful if they retain their licenses. There's a reason Tony Fauci is still a rock star, and they aren't.

[SharonClark]

9. Agree 100%

I remember the first time I saw Redfield at a press conference where he grinned widely and laughed at Trump's jokes. Even before Redfield was introduced, I thought "who is that boot licker".

[Beaverhausen]

10. That's Dr. Hahn - I went to school with him

Jr High and High School.

I haven't watched the doc yet but it was so weird seeing him on TV during those former guy pressers.

[Siwsan]

11. Wow - he was a hard one for me to pin down.

But he riled WH feathers so he must be, at least in part, on the side of the 'angels'.

[RockRaven]

12. IIRC, Redfield opposed condom promotion in Africa to combat HIV spread...

Last edited Mon Mar 29, 2021, 12:39 PM - Edit history (1)

He's a right wing ideologue who serves political/theological agendas over sound public policy. Unfortunately he has a veneer of scientific credibility which he uses to mask the dangerous garbage which is actually driving him.