Historian John Barry believes that one of the big lessons the government should have learned from the 1918 influenza pandemic is to "tell the truth." Barry, who wrote a book on the topic, called "The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Plague in History," does not think the current White House has learned that lesson.

"Clearly, they have not told the truth, unfortunately," Barry told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett on this week's episode of "The Takeout" podcast.

Barry contrasted administration figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious diseases expert, with White House officials.

"Somehow, the White House has managed to politicize attempts to save people's lives," Barry said, referring to President Trump's opposition to wearing a mask in public and his push for states to reopen their economies.