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Dr. Scott Atlas, a scientific adviser to the president of the United States, Donald Trump, who was skeptical about measures to control the coronavirus outbreak, is leaving his post at the White House.
A White House official confirmed that the Stanford University neuroradiologist, who had no formal experience in public health or infectious disease, resigned at the end of his temporary government assignment.
Atlas confirmed the news in a tweet posted on Monday night (local time).
Evan Vucci / AP
White House coronavirus adviser Dr. Scott Atlas speaks during a press conference in the James Brady Press Conference Room of the White House in Washington.
Atlas joined the White House this summer, where he took on leading government scientists, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, as he resisted the strongest efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic that has killed more than 267,000 Americans.
Atlas has broken with government experts and the overwhelming consensus of the scientific community to criticize efforts to encourage facial coverage to slow the spread of the virus.
Just a few weeks ago on Twitter, he responded to Michigan’s latest virus restrictions by encouraging people to “stand up” against state policies.
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His views also prompted Stanford to issue a statement distancing himself from the faculty member, saying that Atlas “has expressed views that are inconsistent with the university’s approach in response to the pandemic.”
“We support the wearing of masks, social distancing, and conducting surveillance and diagnostic tests,” the university said Nov. 16. “We also believe in the importance of strictly following the guidance of state and local health authorities.”
Atlas defended his role in his resignation letter, saying: “I cannot think of a time when safeguarding science and scientific debate is more urgent.”
Atlas was hired as a “special government employee”, limiting his government service to 130 days in a calendar year, a deadline he reached this week.
