Surgeon General on George Floyd: ‘That could have been me’

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams this week gave his thoughts on the death of George Floyd, who was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25, drawing comparisons between him and Floyd.

Adams noted on Politico’s “Pulse Check” podcast that Floyd, 46, was the “the same age that I am.”

“I look at him, and I really do think that could have been me,” Adams said.

“That could be me, pulled over for speeding five miles over the speed limit. That could be me with a busted tail light,” Adams added. “That could be me who is just seen as a black man and not as the surgeon general of the United States — especially if I’m not wearing a uniform, but I’m casually dressed in my hoodie and tennis shoes and athletic apparel — and that could be me on the side of a road with a knee in my neck.”

Now-fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin held his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, resulting in Floyd’s death.

Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, and the other officers at the scene have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

Since Floyd’s death, the country has erupted in protests and unrest, with people nationwide demanding justice for Floyd, sweeping police reform and the end of systemic racism.

Adams also mentioned Floyd at President Trump’s roundtable discussion yesterday in Dallas, offering his condolences to Floyd’s family.

On the podcast, he added, “I understand the anger, the frustration, the fear and why people feel that that they need to prioritize going out and protesting. … What I say to people as a physician is, if you’re going to do something, I want to help you understand your risk and … how to do it as safely as possible.”

Adams implored Americans to keep wearing masks while outside, reiterating that the coronavirus pandemic is still very much a threat to the health of the country.