Welp, this is a surprise. Or, is it?

Former Trump White House Coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Brix said on Sunday she's looking forward to the Senate confirmation hearing of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who President-elect Trump tapped for his secretary of Health and Human Services, as an "exciting" and unique opportunity to have a transparent discussion on the health of Americans.

Why a surprise?

Among other controversies, as RedState reported in April 2024, Birx admitted during an interview with CBS that the “experts” (herself included) tried to quash the idea the COVID-19 virus came from a Chinese lab, and they quickly moved to discredit anyone who said otherwise. In addition, lockdowns, particularly school closings, were later found to have had little effect on the spread of the virus, but substantial effect on folks who were shut in -- particularly young children when schools were shut down.

READ MORE: Dr. Birx: Yes, We Tried to Quash the COVID Lab-Leak Theory

During a Sunday appearance on CBS’s "Face the Nation," Birx was asked at length about Kennedy potentially leading HHS, particularly his controversial views on vaccines and potential health-related issues.

Before we go there, I need to weigh in on Kennedy -- objectively. 

To some, Kennedy is a conspiratorial lunatic whose wild theories about pharmaceuticals, ingredients in processed foods, and so forth, belong on a crazy train. To others, Kennedy is an unquestionable guru who, if given the job, could virtually end obesity, childhood diseases, and many other maladies with a stroke of his magic wand.

Reality: 

As has been the case in innumerable examples throughout the history of mankind, the truth likely lies somewhere in the middle. To Birx's point, objectively listening to Kennedy's responses during his confirmation hearing will be a unique opportunity for the objective among us -- vs. those with immovable predisposed positions -- to gain a better understanding of this very smart guy, what he believes, and why he believes it.

Birx explained to CBS: 

[W]hen he talks about transparency, I'm actually excited that in a Senate hearing he would bring forward his data and the questions that come from the senators would bring forth their data. What I know for sure is he's a very smart man who can bring his data and his evidence base forward and we can have a discussion that many Americans believe already is a problem.

Exactly. Although I'm not a doctor, much less an infectious diseases expert, more (valid) data is always a good thing when analyzing virtually anything of value.

Former White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx says she is excited for RFK to look into vaccines and autism.

“Because when my children went to school, there was maybe 1 in a 1000 kids diagnosed autism. Now it's 3 per 100. So every mom is seeing a classroom… pic.twitter.com/L57RV4Jm2Z

— End Tribalism in Politics (@EndTribalism) November 17, 2024

Perspective.

The Question of Autism 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Autism affects each person differently, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Kennedy has spoken at length about ASD, and Birx is particularly eager to hear more about his views.

[W]hen my children went to school, there was maybe one in a 1,000 kids with autism, diagnosed autism. Now it's three per 100. So every mom is seeing a classroom of kindergartners where one of the children has autism. That's scary to moms and dads. They want to know why. So it's not good enough for us to just say vaccines don't cause autism. It's us finding what is the cause of autism.

While three ASD diagnoses per 100 kids might sound alarming to some, it represents a 3,000 percent increase, which, as Birx suggested, should be scary to all moms and dads. Regardless of whether RFK Jr. helps find the answer or someone else does, it's past time to get it done.

"That hearing would be a way for Americans to really see the data that you're talking about, that we can't see that causation right now, but what is causing it?" Birx said, adding that addressing the cause of autism in children will be "critical."

Amen.