Scott Atlas, Donald Trump’s science adviser, quits his job at the White House

Dr. Scott Atlas, a scientific adviser to President Donald Trump who was skeptical about measures to control the coronavirus outbreak, is leaving 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 Monday night tweet.

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.

He has also been criticized for calling for the reopening of the states, calling the blockades “extremely harmful to Americans.”

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.”

Earlier this month, Atlas was criticized for suggesting that people should invite their older relatives to Thanksgiving because it could be their last.

His advice contradicted that of most public health experts.

Atlas made the comment while attacking Fox News shutdowns for “isolating” people.

“This type of isolation is [also] a tragedy of the elderly who are now being told ‘don’t see your family on Thanksgiving,’ “she told host Martha MacCallum at the time.

“For many people, this is their last Thanksgiving, believe it or not. We have to have a policy … which is a whole person policy. It is not just about stopping Covid cases.”

His advice contradicted that of Dr. Fauci, who said people should avoid large gatherings this year, especially those involving older people.

“People need to be very careful around social gatherings, particularly when family members may be at risk due to their age,” Fauci said last month.

“You may have to bite the bullet and sacrifice that social gathering unless you’re pretty sure the people you’re dealing with aren’t infected.”

Dr. David Spiegel of Stanford Medical School also condemned Atlas’s work as Trump’s scientific adviser.

“What Atlas has done is an embarrassment to the university,” Spiegel said.

“He’s using his actual affiliation with Hoover [Stanford’s Hoover Institute] to provide credibility on issues that you have no professional experience to discuss professionally. “