U.S. House Covid commitee chairman urges adoption of 30 recomendations to improve U.S. pandemic responses

It’s the End of the House COVID Panel As We Know It The majority of the panel has released its final report on the lack of preparations ahead of the pandemic, blunders by the Trump administration and recommendations for reform. Courtney Bublé Government Executive

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The Democrats on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis released their final report on December 9, representing a culmination of the panel’s work since its establishment in April 2020. Then on Wednesday the panel hosted its final hearing during which witnesses discussed the report and the path forward, as well as its final business meeting to formally adopt the report. The entity’s fate is unclear in the new Congress when Republicans will hold the majority in the House. 

“Our government entered the COVID crisis unprepared for its magnitude. Our nation’s public health infrastructure was underdeveloped,” said Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., chairman of the select subcommittee, at the hearing. “On top of these existing vulnerabilities, the previous administration chose to minimize the coronavirus and discourage proven health measures by undermining the scientists leading the pandemic response.” 

Clyburn noted that this hearing was not just about looking back, but going forward, as the report gave 30 recommendations on mitigating risks still posed by COVID-19, better investing in the nation’s public health and economic relief infrastructure, preparing for future crises and safeguarding relief programs.

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