The Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research issued the following statement in regard to the NIH Director under President Biden's administration and COVID-19.
Collins to Continue as NIH Director, Biden Names Additional Science Advisers
President Joe Biden announced that NIH Director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, will continue his appointment as NIH Director in a January 15 press release. In a press statement, the Ad Hoc Group applauded Biden’s decision to extend Collins’ appointment noting, “Since his initial appointment in 2009, Dr. Collins has been an ardent advocate for biomedical research and continues to inspire young scientists to pursue a career in research.” Biden also announced the nomination of Eric Lander, PhD, as director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, who would be the first life scientist to serve in this role. This will be a Cabinet-level position in the Biden Administration, as detailed in the Washington Post.
NIH Director’s Blog: Trying to Make Sense of Long COVID Syndrome
NIH Director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, reviewed a pre-print of a study compiled from survey responses from people experiencing “Long COVID syndrome” in a January 19 blog post. The study details over 200 symptoms in more than 3,700 participants in the United States, noting that nearly half of respondents could not work full time six months after developing COVID-19, and 88% noted continued cognitive issues or memory loss. “The findings show that—even in those people who don’t require hospitalization for severe COVID-19—the condition’s prolonged symptoms are having a major impact on lives and livelihoods, both here and around the world. While the number of people affected isn’t yet known, if even a small proportion of the vast numbers of people infected with COVID-19 develop Long COVID syndrome, it represents a significant public health concern,” Collins noted.