Dr. Craig Spencer did not "lie" to NY Health officials: NY Health - "Dr. Spencer is a Hero....."

[branford]

61. Dr. Varma's comments do not address the issue in the NY Post article.

Stating that Dr. Spencer was helpful or that the authorities had a wealth of information in no way addresses the claim that, at least at first, Dr. Spencer was not entirely honest or forthcoming about his contacts and whereabouts in the days prior to his admission to the hospital.

I'm also not surprised that the authorities had the relevant information since they apparently possessed his MetroCard and credit card statements, which according to the NYP, is what the police used to challenge Dr. Spencer for accurate information.

I do not understand why it is so difficult for the powers that be to answer such a simple and direct question: did Dr. Spencer originally provide entirely truthful information about his whereabouts and contacts to the authorities. It is a yes or no question. The allegation from the NYP has nothing to do with whether Dr. Spencer was ultimately helpful, if he's a "hero," or if the authorities' investigation revealed significant information. As an attorney, I know that when a witness carefully avoids answering a clear, direct and simple question, the answer is usually obvious and disadvantageous for the witness.

I find the need for many here to make Dr. Spencer a unvarnished saint to be somewhat ludicrous. Humans are complicated. One can admire Dr. Spencer's work in Africa and regret that he is ill, yet still question whether he should have gone out while feeling fatigued, and even acknowledge that, for whatever reasons, he might not have initially been forthcoming with the authorities.