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Agence France-Presse

One of US President Donald Trump’s favoured coronavirus advisers who sparked controversy over his comments against mask-wearing and other issues has resigned.
Fox News obtained the resignation letter dated December 1 for Scott Atlas, who lacked relevant experience or qualifications in public health or infectious disease.
The outlet also reported that Atlas’s contract was already set to expire later this week.
“I am writing to resign from my position as special adviser to the president of the United States,” Atlas said in his resignation letter.
He thanked Trump for the honour and wished “all the best” to President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration.

“I worked hard with a singular focus – to save lives and help Americans through this pandemic,” Atlas said, adding that he “always relied on the latest science and evidence, without any political consideration or influence”.
Atlas attracted controversy during much of his time working for the outgoing president, and his resignation comes with Covid-19 cases surging nationwide.
Coronavirus vaccine: Moderna seeks US, Europe authorisation
Both the scientific and public health community heavily disputed his expertise and qualifications for his role.
“Dr Scott Atlas’ resignation today is long overdue and underscores the triumph of science and truth over falsehoods and misinformation,“ his peers at Stanford University’s medical school said in a statement issued late Monday. In September they had issued a letter denouncing his views.
In October, Atlas tweeted: “Masks work? NO”, despite overwhelming scientific evidence proving the benefit of wearing masks. Twitter concealed the message as misinformation.




He also gave an interview to Russian state-controlled TV channel RT, during which he played down the severity of the US coronavirus spread. He said he was unaware RT Rewas a registered foreign agent in the United States.
In November, he urged people in Michigan to “rise up” against Covid-19 measures, such as lockdowns to slow the spread of the virus, rather than engage in an all-hands-on-deck effort to defeat the pandemic.
Parts of Europe to ease coronavirus rules to allow Christmas shopping, gathering
Dr Celine Grounder, a member of Biden’s advisory panel on the crisis, greeted the news of the resignation with relief.
“I’m relieved that in the future, people who are qualified, people who are infectious disease specialists and epidemiologists like me will be helping to lead this effort,” she told broadcaster CNBC.
“You wouldn’t go to a podiatrist for a heart attack and that was essentially what was happening.”
As of Monday evening, the US had recorded 13,522,247 coronavirus cases and 267,844 deaths, both by far the worst tolls in the world.
Additional reporting by Reuters


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Coronavirus pandemic

Scott Atlas resigns as Donald Trump’s coronavirus adviser

Dr Scott Atlas. Photo: AP

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump listens as Dr. Scott Atlas, the newest member of the administration's coronavirus task force, speaks during a briefing on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic response at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 12, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

Trump coronavirus adviser Scott Atlas apologises for interview with Kremlin-backed RT

White House coronavirus adviser Scott Atlas speaks at the White House in October. Photo: AP

Twitter deletes Trump coronavirus adviser Scott Atlas’ claim that masks don’t work

US President Donald Trump takes his mask off before speaking from the South Portico of the White House on October 10. Photo: AFP

White House coronavirus adviser Scott Atlas speaks at the White House on October 12. Photo: AP

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Scott Atlas, a neuroradiologist, had clashed repeatedly with other members of the US coronavirus task force
The scientific and public health community heavily disputed his expertise and qualifications for role



The neuroradiologist had clashed repeatedly with other members of the coronavirus task force and played down the importance of face masks.


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