President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as the United States Surgeon General, a decision that has sparked controversy due to her previous support for social media censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Nesheiwat, who is a general practitioner and medical director at CityMD, and a graduate of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, has been vocal in her advocacy for vaccines and public health measures. Her endorsement of Facebook’s censorship policies has raised concerns about her approach to free speech and information dissemination.
Background on Dr. Janette Nesheiwat
Nesheiwat is known for her appearances on Fox News and her role in urgent care medicine. She has made statements emphasizing the importance of vaccines, describing the COVID-19 vaccine as a “gift from God.” She also highlighted its effectiveness in preventing severe illness and death. However, she also praised Facebook for its efforts to limit what she deemed misinformation during the pandemic, which has led to accusations of supporting censorship in public discourse.
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Implications of the Nomination
Censorship Concerns: Critics argue that Nesheiwat’s past statements regarding social media censorship could influence her actions as Surgeon General, particularly in how health information is communicated to the public. Her support for Facebook’s moderation policies raises questions about her commitment to open dialogue on health issues.
Public Health Messaging: As Surgeon General, Nesheiwat will be responsible for issuing health advisories and guiding public health policy. Her approach may prioritize strict messaging aligned with government recommendations, potentially sidelining alternative viewpoints.
Interplay with Other Appointees: The nomination comes alongside other picks for Trump’s health team, including Dr. Martin Makary for FDA Commissioner and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an outspoken vaccine skeptic, for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). This mix could create a divided cabinet regarding vaccine policy and public health strategies.
Nesheiwat promoted vaccinations for children while urging Americans to get vaccinated.
“The best thing that we can do right now is continue to vaccinate as quickly as possible and vaccinating as many Americans as possible, including younger Americans,” she said in April 2021. “I think it’s critical to open up vaccine eligibility to everyone that’s allowed, that’s eligible. And hopefully soon by the summer time it will be extended to teenagers and younger, the younger population.”
Despite being the group least impacted by the virus, children were still putting a burden on the healthcare system, according to Nesheiwat. She told Fox News that this argument supported both requiring children to wear masks and vaccinating them.
