As U.S. COVID-19 deaths sailed past 183,000 Monday, the newest member of President Trump’s coronavirus task force is reportedly pushing for the U.S. to adopt a “herd immunity” approach to tackling the virus — a strategy which has been widely condemned by health experts both in the U.S. and around the world. Scott Atlas, a neuroradiologist with no expertise in infectious diseases, has denied the report. The World Health Organization, meanwhile, reiterated Monday its recommendation for countries to suppress transmissions before further opening up.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “No country can just pretend the pandemic is over. The reality is that this coronavirus spreads easily. It can be fatal to people of all ages, and most people remain susceptible.”

Politico is reporting the Department of Health and Human Services is bidding out a contract worth over $250 million to a PR firm in an effort to “defeat despair and inspire hope” about the pandemic in the run-up to the elections.