CNN to feature Greta Thunberg among panel of experts for coronavirus town hall

Brian Niemietz

New York Daily News

Suddenly Jared Kushner looks like an accomplished elder statesman.

CNN has tapped teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg to join its panel of experts for coronavirus pandemic town hall Thursday night.

The 17-year-old Swedish girl will join hosts Anderson Cooper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta for “Coronavirus Facts and Fears,” which also includes former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Richard Besser and former Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Former acting CDC director Richard Besser, former HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius and activist Greta Thunberg join @AndersonCooper & @DrSanjayGupta for a live #CNNTownHall. Coronavirus – Facts and Fears, Thursday at 8 p.m. ET pic.twitter.com/I4FrXgwaL6
— CNN (@CNN) May 13, 2020

CNN’s decision was widely ridiculed on social media where critics wondered what qualified a teenager to speak about the ongoing pandemic. A couple of skeptics even tweeted to CNN that they thought a graphic advertising Thurnberg’s inclusion was a gag.

Political science expert and Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer was baffled.

“Greta Thunberg is appearing on a CNN Townhall on Climate Ch…No, it’s on Coronavirus,” he tweeted. “Okay, now I’m confused.”

New York magazine contributor Yashar Ali asked “What place does Greta Thunberg have in this town hall?”

Others blasted the 24-hour cable channel for giving a platform to a kid with little scientific background.

Those in favor of Thunburg being on the panel felt she could connect with other young people.

Thurnberg, who addressed the United Nations in September, was named Time magazine’s 2019 Person of the Year. She was also nominated for last year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

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