Nevada Democrat Governor Signs Emergency Regulation Banning Malaria Drug For Coronavirus

Nevada’s Governor, Steve Sisolak (D), has taken advice from his unlicensed top doctor, Ihsan Azzar, and signed an emergency regulation to prohibit the prescribing and dispensing chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for a Coronavirus diagnosis. As of this morning, there are 321 positive cases in the state, with 6 deaths.

According to the governor’s office, “while the drugs serve necessary medical purposes, there is no consensus among COVID-19 experts or Nevada’s own medical health advisory team that the two drugs provide treatment for COVID-19 patients. The emergency regulation is aimed at preventing hoarding of the drugs.”

Even though there isn’t an outbreak of malaria in Nevada, the Governor continued, “This emergency regulation protects Nevadans who needs these drugs for legitimate medical purposes. At this point in time, there is no known cure for COVID-19 and we must not withhold these drugs from those who need them. The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home for Nevada, not to stockpile these drugs.”

The Chief Medical Officer on his health advisory team, Azzam, testified in 2018 that he has a master’s degree and worked for several years in environmental public health and epidemiology before being named to the position the year prior. He practiced for several years as an obstetrics and gynecology physician in Africa before moving to the United States in the 1990s but had not been licensed here.

Defending his recommendation, Azzam said, “this emergency regulation is a strong step in protecting patients. While studies are underway on the usefulness of these drugs in treating COVID-19, we must deal with facts, not fiction and preserving these drugs for those who need it is the right decision.”

US Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, who is a board-certified anesthesiologist, spoke with Sean Hannity last night and said that, “What we’re seeing right now in New York City is doctors are prescribing off label because at the end of the day, if your loved one is dying, you want be given the right to try whatever is possible.”

Hannity, talking to the Surgeon General: "I only play a doctor and I'm not one. Do you see the hope that so many others see as a treatment?" pic.twitter.com/y2O5Wremx2

— Brendan Karet ? (@bad_takes) March 25, 2020

Whether this is a political move against President Trump, who has touted the drug’s possibilities, or an uneducated one, it is unfortunate that Governor Sisolak has chosen not to give his citizens an opportunity to seek treatment that could save their life, should they become infected.

….be put in use IMMEDIATELY. PEOPLE ARE DYING, MOVE FAST, and GOD BLESS EVERYONE! @US_FDA @SteveFDA @CDCgov @DHSgov

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 21, 2020