**Concerns Rise Over Trump’s Health Picks Amid Pandemic Readiness Questions**

As the nation braces for future health crises, the new lineup of senior health officials announced by President-elect Donald Trump is sparking considerable debate. With limited experience in infectious diseases and a history of skepticism towards vaccines, these appointments have left many questioning their ability to effectively navigate a potential pandemic.

At the forefront of Trump’s new health team is Marty Makary, a surgeon from Johns Hopkins and a vocal critic of the FDA, who has been chosen to lead the agency he once described as overly bureaucratic in its pandemic response. Adding to the controversy is Dave Weldon, who is set to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Weldon, a former GOP congressman, has previously championed debunked claims about vaccine safety.

Another key figure is Janette Nesheiwat, a family and emergency medicine physician known primarily for her role as a commentator on Fox News, who will serve as surgeon general. Overseeing them all will be Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's pick for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy is one of the most prominent vaccine skeptics in the country, having publicly criticized coronavirus vaccines.

Health experts from previous administrations have voiced their concerns. Jerome Adams, former surgeon general, emphasized the need for a robust infectious disease response plan and warned against undermining public trust in vaccines. Michael T. Osterholm, an infectious-disease expert from the University of Minnesota, also expressed doubts about the new team’s preparedness for future outbreaks.

Adding to the complexity is the ongoing H5N1 bird flu virus situation, which has recently been detected in U.S. dairy cows. Experts fear that prolonged outbreaks could lead to mutations, increasing the virus's transmissibility among humans. Already, 55 cases of human infection have been confirmed among farmworkers, although all have reported mild symptoms.

Several health officials from Trump’s earlier administration have hinted at their apprehensions. Scott Gottlieb, Trump's first FDA commissioner, has highlighted the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough, underscoring the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates.

Of particular worry is the appointment of Weldon to the CDC. He has consistently pushed the false narrative that vaccines cause autism and has advocated for removing the preservative thimerosal from vaccines, despite scientific evidence refuting these claims. His persistent public criticism in the past pressured the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee into unnecessary votes on vaccine safety, which could undermine public confidence in vaccinations.

As Trump’s picks await Senate confirmation, the nation watches closely, mindful that the next health crisis could test this new cadre of leaders in unprecedented ways. Their focus on chronic diseases, while important, must not detract from the critical need to maintain vigilance against infectious diseases that continue to pose significant threats.