America faces the “darkest winter in modern history” unless leaders act decisively to prevent a rebound of the coronavirus, said a government whistleblower who alleged he was ousted from his job after warning the Trump administration to prepare for the pandemic.

According to an AP report, immunologist Dr Rick Bright made his sobering prediction in testimony prepared for his appearance today before the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

“Our window of opportunity is closing,” Bright said in his prepared testimony posted on the House committee website. “If we fail to develop a national coordinated response, based in science, I fear the pandemic will get far worse and be prolonged, causing unprecedented illness and fatalities.”