From her workplace within the West Wing, Dr. Birx serves as a hyperlink between federal companies — the Departments of Protection, Homeland Safety,
From her workplace within the West Wing, Dr. Birx serves as a hyperlink between federal companies — the Departments of Protection, Homeland Safety, Well being and Human Companies, and others — engaged within the response.
She can be the purpose of contact for state and native officers, and oversees the drafting of detailed reviews providing steering to the states. She briefs Mr. Pence weekly and the president not less than as soon as per week, and should take care of competing forces on the duty drive, which incorporates Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the federal government’s high infectious illness knowledgeable, and Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the C.D.C. director. She is usually the one lady within the room.
In interviews with AIDS activists and public well being consultants, Dr. Birx drew unfavorable comparisons with the outspoken Dr. Fauci, in whose lab she skilled. Mr. Gonsalves, who has lengthy identified each of them, mentioned he wrote in March to Drs. Birx, Fauci and Redfield, in addition to Adm. Brett P. Giroir, who oversees coronavirus testing, complaining that they had been “parroting the president.” Solely Dr. Fauci replied.
“Debbie is now within the place the place she’s saying to the emperor that these new garments look incredible,” Mr. Gonsalves mentioned.
However contained in the White Home, aides check with Dr. Birx as “Dr. Doom” for her efforts to mood the president’s constructive spin. And he or she and Dr. Fauci will not be in the identical scenario. Dr. Fauci, 79, is nearing the top of his profession and is a civil servant, which frees him to talk his thoughts. Dr. Birx, 64, is a political appointee who serves on the pleasure of the president.
“She’s one of many hardest staff, and she or he’s dedicated to attempting to get this pandemic below management,” Dr. Fauci mentioned in an interview Tuesday night time.