Trump's favorite COVID adviser Scott Atlas RESIGNS, says he worked hard to save American lives and urges the White House to prevent more lockdowns that 'hurt the working class and poor'
President Donald Trump's special adviser on the coronavirus pandemic Dr Scott Atlas has resigned.
In his resignation letter obtained by Fox News, Atlas said he worked hard to 'save the lives and help Americans through this pandemic'. He added that he 'always relied on the latest science and evidence, without political consideration or influence'.
Atlas was employed on a 130-day term, which was set to expire this week.
He has been criticized for calling for states to reopen, and called lockdowns 'extremely harmful to Americans'.
President Donald Trump 's special adviser on the coronavirus pandemic Dr Scott Atlas (pictured in September) has resigned
In his resignation letter obtained by Fox News, Atlas (pictured with Trump in September) said he worked hard to 'save the lives and help Americans through this pandemic'.
Earlier this month, Atlas came under fire for suggesting that people should invite their elderly relatives for Thanksgiving because it might be their last.
His harsh advice contradicted that of most public health experts who advised families not to gather for fear of spreading the coronavirus.
Atlas, a neuroradiologist with no experience in public health, made the remark as he attacked lockdowns on Fox News for 'isolating' people.
'This kind of isolation is a tragedy of the elderly who are now being told "don't see your family at Thanksgiving",' he told host Martha MacCallum at the time.
'For many people this is their final Thanksgiving, believe it or not. We have to have a policy... which is a whole person policy. It's not just about stopping cases of Covid.'
His advice ran counter to that issued by Dr Anthony Fauci, America's top infectious disease adviser since 1984, who said people need to avoid large gatherings this year - especially those involving the elderly.
'People should be very careful about social gatherings, particularly when members of the family might be at a risk because of their age,' Fauci said last month.
'You may have to bite the bullet and sacrifice that social gathering unless you’re pretty certain that the people that you’re dealing with are not infected.'
This a developing story