A new virus is killing people as global health organizations work to control its spread and convince the public that the hantavirus outbreak is just an outbreak — not another pandemic. Americans can rest assured that Dr. Brian Christine, a penile implant specialist and assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services, is on the case.
According to a Friday report from CNN’s KFile, Christine — an admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps — is a surgical urologist with virtually no experience in public health. He once hosted an “Erection Connection” video series on YouTube, and spread conspiracies about the Covid-19 vaccine during the Biden administration. He is now one of the Trump administration’s top officials in charge of infectious disease policy.
Social media posts and videos reviewed by CNN found that while Christine likely has plenty of expertise in things like “Revising a Mis-Shapen Penile Implant” and “Getting the Right Cuff Size During Artificial Sphincter Surgery,” he does not have any qualifying background in areas like virology, or infectious disease epidemiology. Nevertheless, he has been one of the most visible government officials overseeing the response to the hantavirus outbreak, and communicating updates with the public.
This week, Christine gave an update on the conditions of potentially infected passengers who were repatriated to a Nebraska medical center after being evacuated from the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius. “At the Department of Health and Human Services, our approach is grounded in science and it’s grounded in transparency,” he said. “This is what strong public health system looks like, experienced professionals, seamless coordination, and a shared commitment to protecting the American people. We’ll continue to follow the science. We will stay vigilant.”
It’s a vastly different tone from the attitude he took during the Covid-19 pandemic. During Christine’s confirmation hearings before the Senate, The Washington Post reported that the urologist had claimed there was “no question” that Covid-19 and the subsequent government response had been used to tilt the 2020 election in Biden’s favor, and suggested vaccines were part of a larger plot to exert control over the American population.
Christine is the latest Trump government official charged with critical — potentially life-saving operations — in the public interest whose qualifications are questionable. This week, the administration announced that Donald Trump Jr.’s hunting buddy is taking over the Food and Drug Administration on an acting basis. Kyle Diamantas, 38, is a Florida lawyer with no significant background in food or drug safety. Trump’s latest pick for surgeon general is Dr. Nicole B. Saphier, a radiologist and Fox News talking head who once attempted to trademark “MAHA.” And who could forget Gregg Phillips, the FEMA director of the Office of Response and Recovery, who thinks he can teleport.
You’re in great hands, America!
