NEW: Co-chairs for Biden pandemic response named. There aren’t 2 better people that could have been named. 1/

The first is @vivek_murthy, who will be the next US Surgeon General. Vivek served in this role during the Obama Admin along with me. The role is even more important now. 2/

Vivek brings the clinical, scientific & public-facing communication needed for the job. But Vivek us also a special human being— thinking about the whole person, mental health, loneliness. 3/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-bubble-with-andy-slavitt/id1504128553?i=1000499896430

Jeff Zients is the former head of the National Economic Council under Obama. He and I became friends during the http://healthcare.Gov  turnaround. We spoke 7-8 times many days.

I don’t know anyone smarter, better organized or who sees all parts of government better than Jeff.4/

Importantly Jeff and Vivek while they bring different skill sets share some important traits: they are close to the president-elect, he trusts them implicitly & neither are scared to tell the truth. 5/

I would also say neither of them will rest until every stone is turned over to end this pandemic.

Finally both of them see the non-pandemic consequences clearly. Economic, mental health, small business, social. 6/

I’m grateful to both Vivek & Jeff for serving. One more person & a critical one. 7/

Marcella Nunez-Smith will take a lead role to address health disparities. By race, by geography, by income level, by sexual orientation.

The fact that this role has been created is huge. I expect that voice to be at the table for every big decision. /end