Whether #hydroxychloroquine works for #COVID19 or not, it should be for scientists to test it, not for Dr Bright to unilaterally determine what is and isn't sound science. This is an appalling strategy to distract from BARDA's failings on #coronavirus. (thread)

Both sides have unduly politicised the issue surrounding HCQ. I'm something a HCQ skeptic. But I'd rather it be available and for RCTs to determine its efficacy than a politician *or* a career official. Science must trump politics – but also bureaucracy.

I also find it rather premature (and, with all due respect, somewhat silly by Dr Bright) to jump on the bandwagon that HCQ increases mortality when the evidence for that is not all that strong to begin with. We *still* don't know, and you know what? It's ok to say that!

Final point: the restriction of HCQ to hospitalised patients has ZERO basis in science. Protocols may prescribe a baseline and +6h/+12h 12-lead ECG, and in patients with prolonged QTc, telemetry is advisable, but ruling out outpatient use has no evidence at ALL to support it.

In sum: it's hard to see Dr Bright's dismissal as anything other than what it is – due criticism of his work, which as a scientist one must endure – and as what he wishes it to be seen – a courageous last stand. It is not. It's hard to see his actions as anything but political.

The fact that he insists on littering his statement with accusations of politically connected suppliers (citation please?) and the nebulous generalities around 'countless deaths' (of *course* – every drug can cause countless deaths when improperly used!) doesn't help.

Part of emotional intelligence is understanding that in senior advisory positions, your responsibility precedes your ego. Falling on your sword (in the national press, no less!) can satisfy the latter, but is often a dereliction of the former. So it is this time. /end