Dr. Deborah Birx revealed in a new interview just what was she was thinking when former Republican President Donald Trump suggested in a now infamous press conference that COVID-19 might be treated by injecting disinfectant.
Birx, who served as coronavirus response coordinator for Trump's COVID task force, told ABC News about several behind the scenes details that paint a picture of a presidential pandemic response in total disarray.
Speaking about the disinfectant moment, Birx told ABC's Dr. Jennifer Ashton Trump's comment left her "paralyzed" in shock.
See her comments below.
Birx's sit-down with ABC came in advance of the release of her book, Silent Invasion: The Untold Story of the Trump Administration, COVID-19, and Preventing the Next Pandemic Before It’s Too Late.
She told Ashton Trump's suggestion came from a misunderstanding of disinfection measures Birx had mentioned pertaining to playground equipment in order to inform parents it was still safe for children to play outside despite the virus.
Ashton asked the question many Americans had for Dr. Birx since her time at the White House ended. Why, when Trump suggested injecting disinfectant, did she not immediately stand up and correct the conversation?
Birx replied:
"That would have been the logical and important thing to do... I was paralyzed in that moment because it was so unexpected."
She went on to express regret.
"I think you're absolutely right. I could've gotten up and probably stood between the scientists and the President and said what I said later... [disinfectant is] 'not a treatment,' this was for playground equipment."
She went on to describe the horror she felt as the disinfectant conversation continued on and on.
"I just wanted it to be 'The Twilight Zone' and all go away. I mean, I just—I could just see everything unraveling in that moment."
Birx also revealed relations between the task force and the Trump administration became so volatile she, Dr. Fauci and others on the task force had a resignation pact stating if one of them were fired they would all resign.
But on Twitter, most were not interested in Birx's version of events.
Many responded with anger over what they see as Birx's failures during her time on the task force.
Birx's book was released earlier this week.
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