Outgoing CDC director Robert Redfield told NPR on Friday that he was happy with the company’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and that he disagreed together with his incoming successor’s conclusion that the “gold normal for the nation’s public well being — has been tarnished.”

Why it issues: The CDC has confronted sharp criticism all through its almost year-long response to the coronavirus pandemic over a number of points, together with a few of its messaging and steering, which has been described as inconsistent and confusing.

What he is saying: “I am truly very happy with the response that CDC has executed. I feel if I’ve one criticism that I do consider is important is the significance of consistency and unity of message.” Redfield informed NPR’s “All Issues Thought-about.”

• “I feel it might have been, you understand, most popular as a nation in April once we advisable [face coverings] — and I began carrying a masks and all of us at CDC did and the docs throughout the coronavirus process pressure did — it might have been very useful if that was mirrored by civic management all through our nation … quite than, sadly, what gave the impression to be, this vital public well being measure by some means received used as a political soccer,” Redfield added.
• When requested by NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly how he would reply to an opinion piece in the New York Times by Rochelle Walensky, his incoming successor, by which she wrote that her crew of “scientists must work very arduous to revive public belief within the C.D.C., at dwelling and overseas, as a result of it has been undermined over the past yr,” Redfield stated:
• “That is simply not true. The women and men at CDC are extremely revered throughout this nation and around the globe. Clearly, there is no doubt that the dearth of reinforcement and assist from some people within the administration of the general public well being message had impression. However CDC continues to be the premier public well being company on this planet.”

Redfield additionally warned that the U.S. is “about to be within the worst of it” with regards to the pandemic.

• “I feel for those who’d listened to my feedback in August and September, I informed those who I actually thought that the, December, January and February had been going to be the roughest time this nation’s ever, ever skilled from a public well being standpoint within the historical past of our nation.”

The underside line: “This has been one of many best crises that this nation’s had. There will be loads of time, I am positive, within the years to come back to determine who may have executed one thing higher. All I can say from the time I received to be CDC director is that I did the very best that I can,” Redfield concluded.

Go deeper: Listen to the interview on NPR