US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a prominent critic of COVID-19 lockdowns, to run the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya, known for his opposition to lockdowns, will need Senate approval to take over the NIH.

BulletsIn

• Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Stanford University professor, nominated to head NIH by Trump.
• Bhattacharya is known for opposing COVID-19 lockdowns and promoting alternatives.
• In 2020, co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration advocating against lockdowns.
• His anti-lockdown views were controversial but are being reconsidered by some experts.
• Former NIH director Francis Collins reconsidered his stance on Bhattacharya’s views.
• Bhattacharya argued that lockdowns harmed physical, mental health, and economies.
• Bhattacharya’s voice was reportedly blacklisted on X (formerly Twitter) during the pandemic.
• He was a plaintiff in a Supreme Court case accusing the Biden administration of suppressing conservative views on social media.
• His nomination must be approved by the US Senate before he can take charge of NIH.
• Bhattacharya’s views on lockdowns are still debated, with some experts agreeing with his stance.