President elect biden good afternoon. Today, im very proud to be announcing our health care and covid team at a critical time, as we near the end of one of the toughest years weve faced as a nation. More than 285,000 dead americans because of covid19, and counting. Last week, covid19 was the number one cause of death in america. Of covid19 and counting. Last week, covid19 was the number one cause of death in america. For black, latino and native americans, were nearly three times as likely to die from it, covid19 is a mass causality. For families and friends left behind, its a gaping hole in your heart that never will be fully healed. As a country, weve been living with this pandemic for so long, were at risk of becoming numb to its toll on all of us. Were resigned to feel that theres nothing we can do. And we cant trust one another. That we must accept death, pain and sorrow. Were in the midst of this deadly pandemic that has infected almost 15 million americans. 1 out of every 22 peo
Microphones anytime you speak. During the any time hearing, the chairman the vice chairman of the committee, congressman kennedy will serve as chair until i am able to return. Beuments for the record can sent to Benjamin Tabor at the email address provided to staff. All documents will be entered into the record at the conclusion of the hearing. The chair will not recognize herself for an opening statement. Today the energy and Commerce Committee continues its oversight of the nations covid19 Pandemic Response. Examining the pursuit of a safe and effective covid19 vaccine that the American People can trust. In the eight months that we battled covid19, over 7 million americans have had the virus, and over 200,000 of them have lost their lives. Millions of the phase unemployment and have lost their Health Insurance, and families are still juggling childcare and virtual classrooms. The list of those most vulnerable to covid19s especially on the line as the virus continues to spread across
So concerned about flu season, about children not getting , not justight now with the Covid Vaccine, but other childhood vaccines that we are seeing a decrease in the numbers. What are your recommendations for how we implement a better strategy in making sure that we are tracking flu and covid, and also getting children, making sure they continue to get vaccinated . Dr. Gayle . Dr. Gayle we really need to build on the existing programs that we have. We have such a strong system for childhood vaccinations that needs to continue to be strengthened. It also, as was mentioned in several other questions and by other panelists, we have got to restore the trust and confidence that has been eroded in vaccines. I think those two things for me are essential. Build on the systems that we know work, get the right information out, and continue to build on the messages on why it really makes a difference to have children vaccinated, and build on those systems that we know work. In my 15 seconds. Dr.
Supposed to deal with all of that . Thank you, mayor. I appreciate this, and again, this is such a challenging time, i would say the risks the downsides to the shelter in place and the slow reopening are very real and very concerning from a health standpoint and an economic standpoint. I think the Counter Point is no one has said, were going to go ahead and open quickly. As you see across the country, the Mental Health consequences of opening and having a surge, many people are struggling in San Francisco, but if we have a surge like we saw in new york or unfortunately like we saw in houston and parts of florida, we would have all of those concerns that youre talking about on top of the overwhelming the Hospital Systems due to covid19 plus the covid19 pandemic and everything that were dealing with and managing today. Unfortunately, theres downsides to where we are today, but theyre even worse. And we just want people to understand that these times are hard, but we have a pandemic in ou
The minutes should so reflect, thank you. Great. Should we include that amendment on the minutes . Directors, are there any additional callers at this time . Operator you have two questions remaining. So for members of the public on the line, this is an opportunity to comment on approval of the minutes from the june 16th regular meeting. If you would like to comment on the minutes, please state your name and we will start your two minutes. Hello . Operator sorry, hit the wrong button. Operator you have zero questions remaining. With that, well close Public Comment and directors, do i have a motion for the approval of the minutes from the 16th. Motion to approve. Second. All in favour. Do we have to do role call . Yes, madam chair. role call . The minutes are approved in a 40 vote. Item 5. As some of may know, we lost a member, art curtis, who passed away with a long battle with brain cancer. In his early union, he fulfilled his dream with sfmta driving trolley buses and conductor on th