One of the physicians leading the Trump administration’s hantavirus response is a penile specialist with a history of spreading conspiracy theories about Covid, according to a new report.

Dr. Brian Christine, an assistant HHS secretary and a top official responsible for infectious disease policy, has emerged as a key figure in the government’s handling of the respiratory virus, which was identified aboard a cruise ship earlier this month.

During a press conference in Nebraska, Christine said the response would be “ grounded in science ” and transparency, according to CNN . His recent record, however, raises questions about that pledge.

Christine has scant experience in public health, the network reports. Before joining the Trump administration in November, he practiced as a urologist in Alabama , where he primarily specialized in penile implants.…