Trump coronavirus adviser condemned for urging Michigan to ‘rise up’ against measures to slow virus

Dr Scott Atlas contradicts experts despite no expertise in public health or infectious diseases

Donald Trump’s chief coronavirus adviser has been condemned for encouraging people to “rise up” against measures designed to slow the spread of Covid-19.

Dr Scott Atlas, a cardiologist with little expertise in public health or infectious diseases, made the comment on Twitter shortly after Michigan announced new restrictions on Sunday evening.

“The only way this stops is if people rise up,” Dr Atlas said. “You get what you accept. #FreedomMatters #StepUp”

The comment, which contradicts the consensus among public health experts, echoed the US president’s calls in April for followers to “liberate Michigan!”, after the state’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer, implemented a lockdown amid the first surge in coronavirus cases there.

Mr Trump’s demand was soon followed by armed protestors marching to the statehouse demanding an end to the lockdown. Six months later, an alleged far-right plot to kidnap Ms Whitmer, who has frequently been targeted for abuse by Mr Trump, was thwarted by law enforcement.

"This is disgusting  — we have cases, hospitals and deaths increasing at an alarming rate in this country and a vacuum of national leadership,” Dr Krutika Kuppalli, an assistant professor in infectious diseases at Stanford University, tweeted in response to Dr Atlas’ comment.

“The governor of Michigan is following science to protect the public and #ScottAtlas is calling for violence. He is a disgrace to medicine.”

Fordham University law professor John Pfaff tweeted: “Is a White House official advocating [people] rise up against a governor, and against one who was almost kidnapped by armed militiamen for exactly this reason?”

Dr Atlas later denied he was advocating for a violent uprising, and said instead he was calling for peaceful protest.

Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel said Dr Atlas’ intervention was “disappointing, irresponsible, and the reason why the United States finds itself in such desperate circumstances regarding Covid-19”.

She added: “I look forward to a new federal administration that works cooperatively with our state government to protect Michigan residents.”

Ms Whitmer herself told CNN on Sunday evening Dr Atlas was doing Mr Trump’s “bidding” and that she would not be “bullied” into ignoring scientists and doctors.

Michigan alone has seen almost 280,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 8,000 deaths. On Sunday, the US surpassed 11 million recorded infections, according to data from John Hopkins university — the most of any country on Earth.