University of Minnesota infectious disease research Dr.
Michael Osterholm has been on the front lines of the country’s efforts to find a coronavirus vaccine.
He’s now gotten a promotion.
President-elect Joe Biden today announces members of his coronavirus advisory board, with Dr. Osterholm one of the 13 members of the panel.
"I am a member," Osterholm told Dave Lee Monday morning on the WCCO Morning News.
"I look forward to working however I can to help advise (Biden) or anyone else on the federal government level on what we can do to address this pandemic," he said, adding that he knows every one of the other board members.
“Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most important battles our administration will face, and I will be informed by science and by experts,” said President-elect Biden. “The advisory board will help shape my approach to managing the surge in reported infections; ensuring vaccines are safe, effective, and distributed efficiently,equitably, and free; and protecting at-risk populations.”
This comes as new cases are rising in Minnesota and 39 other states.
There are more than 9.3 million total infections in the US, and a death toll exceeding 236,000.
Osterholm has been among the leaders in helping to find a corornavirus vaccine, working with the University of Minnesota, the Mayo Clinic, and Minnesota state health officials.