| March 3, 2020 The Honorable Donald J. Trump President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20050 The Honorable Michael R. Pence Vice President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 |
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Dear Mr. President and Mr. Vice President:
We, the collective leadership and past-Presidents of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), the largest international scientific organization of experts dedicated to reducing the worldwide burden of tropical infectious diseases and to improving global health, write to you with our urgent concern related to COVID-19. We have a unique understanding of disease outbreaks as well as the health and economic consequences they pose for the United States and the world.
Our nation has extraordinary assets to address COVID-19 through the highly experienced and specialized federal expertise at HHS, CDC, NIH and the FDA. They are best positioned to lead informed, evidence-based decisions that ultimately will benefit families at home and abroad, and ensure that facts lead our response to support the health and welfare of our country and our people.
In addition to U.S. scientists, your Administration has an open door to tap our society of global experts who recognize ASTMH as their professional home. In some cases our members are NIH and CDC scientists, others are in the Department of Defense working to protect the health of our troops, and others are in the private sector, in academia and with foundations.
As our national strategy (local, state, national and global) evolves to incorporate new, reliable information, we must remember that national and global collaboration, political will at home, fact-based, consistent messaging and full funding are also essential to getting the job done.
Our U.S. scientific leadership is our best bet to manage this outbreak. They are highly qualified, experienced, trusted and committed to serving the best interests of our nation and the world.
At ASTMH, we stand ready to offer our expertise. We look forward to working with the White House COVID-19 Task Force to address this outbreak, which is already revealing its potential for human tragedy and significant market consequences.
Sincerely,
| Joel G. Breman, MD, DTPH, FASTMH President Julie Jacobson, MD President-Elect Chandy C. John, MD, MS, FASTMH Immediate Past President N. Regina Rabinovich, MD, FASTMH President 2018 Patricia F. Walker, MD, DTM&H, FASTMH President 2017 Stephen Higgs, PhD, FRES, FASTMH President 2016 Christopher V. Plowe, MD, MPH, FASTMH President 2015 David H. Walker, MD, FASTMH President 2013 James W. Kazura, MD, FASTMH President 2012 Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, FASTMH President 2011 Edward T. Ryan, MD, DTM&H, FASTMH President 2010 Claire B. Panosian (Dunavan), MD, DTM&H, FASTMH President 2008 Carlos (Kent) C. Campbell, MD, MPH, FASTMH President 2007 Myron M. Levine, MD, DTPH, FASTMH President 2006 Thomas P. Monath, MD, FASTMH President 2005 |
Peter F. Weller, MD, FASTMH President 2004 William A. Petri, Jr., MD, PhD, FASTMH President 2003 Michele Barry, MD, FACP, FASTMH President 2002 Stephen L. Hoffman, MD, DTM&H, FASTMH President 2001 Duane J. Gubler, ScD, FASTMH President 2000 Dyann F. Wirth, PhD, FASTMH President 1999 Stephanie James, PhD, FASTMH President 1998 Richard L. Guerrant, MD, FASTMH President 1997 Donald S. Burke, MD, FASTMH President 1996 Carole A. Long, PhD, FASTMH President 1995 Barnett L. Cline, MD, PhD, MPH, FASTMH President 1994 Daniel G. Colley, PhD, FASTMH President 1993 Louis H. Miller, MD, FASTMH President 1989 Joseph A. Cook, MD, FASTMH President 1987 Philip K. Russell, MD, FASTMH President 1983 |