During his confirmation hearing, Dr Vivek Murthy in his opening remark said that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused tremendous suffering for the United States.
US President Joe Biden’s nominee for US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy told lawmakers. Indian-American physician Murthy who appeared before the Senate for his confirmation hearing on Thursday also highlighted that the pandemic is a very personal issue to him as he had lost several of his family members to the disease
Murthy in his opening remarks said that the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in tremendous suffering for the United States as more than half a million people have lost their lives to it, including beloved members of his own family. He further said: “Many more are facing long-term health consequences and stressful financial struggles. If confirmed as the surgeon general, my highest priority will be to help end this pandemic.” He stated that he had the privilege of serving once before and he is back because his “priority first and foremost, is to address Covid to turn this pandemic around,”
Murthy also outlined other issues that have worsened due to the pandemic. He said: “There are issues that have been worsened by COVID, mental health and substance use disorders. And those are my accompanying priorities as well.” He stated there was a need for consistent communication around the value and importance of masks.
“I want our kids to be able to get back to school. I want people to be able to go to work and not worry every day that they’re going to catch a virus,” said Murthy while outlining that he wants people to get back to their lives. He added: “I want us to be able to come together as a community again.”
Murthy will serve the position of America’s Surgeon General for the second time if he gets confirmed by the Senate. In 2013, former President Barack Obama nominated Murthy to be the US Surgeon General. Obama tapped Murthy in 2011 to serve on the advisory group on prevention, health promotion, and integrative and public health.
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