April 06, 2021 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has named ex-diplomat Gayle Smith as the US global coronavirus response coordinator. The appointee is a former veteran diplomat and humanitarian aid chief and will be the special envoy for US coronavirus vaccine and prevention efforts. I can say from having worked with Gayle and admired her for years, that no one will work harder, faster, or more effectively to get us to the finish line. In a news conference at the Department of State on this occasion, Blinken noted that Smith was the administrator of USAID for President Obama and served on the National Security Council for both President Obama and President Clinton.