Abdul El-Sayed On Public Health, “Healing Politics,” And Systemic Change
“If we are serious about beating this, we have to pay attention to the system in which it happened and fortify that,” says Abdul El-Sayed, former gubernatorial candidate and Detroit health director.
Abdul El-Sayed made a big dent in Michigan politics two years ago as a candidate for governor.
His brand of progressive politics garnered a large following which challenged Gretchen Whitmer for the Democratic nomination.
“Public health, its like a fire, you always try to put it out when it’s small.” – Abdul El-Sayed, author and public health expert
Now, you can find him serving often as a regular commentator on CNN and as the host of the podcast “America Dissected.”
The former Director of Detroit’s Health Department has a new book out titled “Healing Politics,” in which El-Sayed attempts to diagnose what ails America and offer prescriptions to address those troubles.
Listen: Abdul El-Sayed weighs in on the Coronavirus with his thoughts on the pandemic from a public health perspective.
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date
WDET is here to keep you informed on essential information, news and resources related to COVID-19.
This is a stressful, insecure time for many. So it’s more important than ever for you, our listeners and readers, who are able to donate to keep supporting WDET’s mission. Please make a gift today.
Guest
Abdul El-Sayed, former gubernatorial candidate in Michigan. El-Sayed is also a CNN commentator and host of “America Dissected” podcast.
“We have to pay attention to the system in which [this] happened and fortify that.”
“Public health, its like a fire,” El-Sayed says. “You always try to put it out when it’s small and it’s all about preparedness. You want to be ready.”
He also touches on the privatization of public problems. He says when this happens “it creates a system that leaves a lot of us vulnerable.”
He says that when it comes to trying to fix the huge problem of the novel coronavirus pandemic, “we have to pay attention to the system in which [this] happened and fortify that.” He also encourages citizens to take social distancing seriously, noting that it can save lives.
