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'Where's Fauci?' America panics as doctor absent again from White House briefing 'Where's Fauci?' America panics as doctor absent again from White House briefing
(32 minutes later)
Infectious disease expert, who has politely sparred with Trump, has become a calming presence in a time of deep uncertaintyInfectious disease expert, who has politely sparred with Trump, has become a calming presence in a time of deep uncertainty
Moments after Donald Trump stepped to the lectern on Monday evening to deliver a daily briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, mild panic broke out online. Moments after Donald Trump approached the lectern to open the daily task force briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, mild panic broke among viewers online.
Where is Dr Anthony Fauci, the 79-year-old infectious disease expert who has become a regular fixture and a calming presence alongside the president? Where was Dr Anthony Fauci, the 79-year-old infectious disease expert who has become a regular fixture and a calming presence alongside the president?
A hashtag questioning his whereabouts trended on Twitter.A hashtag questioning his whereabouts trended on Twitter.
The alarm reflected just how much the nation has come to rely on Fauci’s wisdom as the coronavirus pandemic spreads, with the worst yet to come. For many anxious Americans tuning in from the confinement of their homes, Dr Anthony Fauci is a a voice of reason in a time of deep uncertainty. The alarm reflected just how much the nation has come to rely on the wisdom of the straight-talking doctor from New York as the coronavirus pandemic spreads, with the worst yet to come. For many anxious Americans tuning in from the confinement of their homes, Fauci is a a voice of reason in a time of deep uncertainty.
His absence at yet another press conference raised even more urgent concern. Had he been sidelined for contradicting the president? Was he in good health? And his absence at yet another briefing raised was cause for concern. Had he been sidelined for contradicting the president? Was he in good health?
Asked about his absence by a Guardian reporter, Trump said: “I was just with him”, explaining that Fauci was “at a task force meeting”. A White House official confirmed Fauci’s attendance at earlier meetings that day and insisted his absence was in keeping with a commitment to rotate speakers “depending on the news of the day”.Asked about his absence by a Guardian reporter, Trump said: “I was just with him”, explaining that Fauci was “at a task force meeting”. A White House official confirmed Fauci’s attendance at earlier meetings that day and insisted his absence was in keeping with a commitment to rotate speakers “depending on the news of the day”.
Fauci himself attempted to allay concerns about his current status – professionally and physiologically. Reached at his home on Sunday, the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told Science magazine that he was “exhausted” but otherwise “good”.Fauci himself attempted to allay concerns about his current status – professionally and physiologically. Reached at his home on Sunday, the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told Science magazine that he was “exhausted” but otherwise “good”.
“I mean, I’m not, to my knowledge, coronavirus-infected,” he said, adding with a laugh: “To my knowledge, I haven’t been fired.”“I mean, I’m not, to my knowledge, coronavirus-infected,” he said, adding with a laugh: “To my knowledge, I haven’t been fired.”
But Fauci went further. He conceded that some of what Trump has said does not “comport” with the facts. Fauci said he is working with the members of the task force to ensure Trump shares accurate information from the podium about the coronavirus, but admitted that it can be a difficult task. But Fauci went further. He conceded that some of what Trump has said does not “comport” with the facts. Fauci, who has served six US presidents, said he is working with the members of the task force to ensure Trump shares accurate information from the podium about the coronavirus, but admitted that it can be a difficult task.
“But I can’t jump in front of the microphone and push him down,” Fauci said. “OK, he said it. Let’s try and get it corrected for the next time.”“But I can’t jump in front of the microphone and push him down,” Fauci said. “OK, he said it. Let’s try and get it corrected for the next time.”
Fauci has politely but firmly sparred with the president during the briefings. Based on instinct, Trump promoted a widely-available malaria drug as a possible antidote to Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Asked if this drug could prevent the disease, Fauci was blunt. Fauci has politely but firmly contradicted the president during the briefings. Based on instinct, Trump promoted a widely-available malaria drug as a possible antidote to Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Asked if this drug could prevent the disease, Fauci was blunt.
“No,” he said. The science was simply not there yet.“No,” he said. The science was simply not there yet.
“The information that you’re referring to specifically is anecdotal,” he told reporters.“The information that you’re referring to specifically is anecdotal,” he told reporters.
The day before, Fauci placed a hand over his face when Trump interjected and referred to the state department as the “deep state department”. Fauci’s face-palm immediately became an internet meme, even as some noted that he touched his face in violation of public health guidelines.The day before, Fauci placed a hand over his face when Trump interjected and referred to the state department as the “deep state department”. Fauci’s face-palm immediately became an internet meme, even as some noted that he touched his face in violation of public health guidelines.
Trump, ever reluctant to share the spotlight, has taken note of Fauci’s growing national profile. Inviting him to speak at a press conference last week, Trump remarked: “I think everybody out here knows you pretty well.” Trump, ever reluctant to share the spotlight, has taken note of Fauci’s heightened national profile. Inviting him to speak at a press conference last week, Trump remarked: “I think everybody out here knows you pretty well.”
He added: “Tony has been doing a tremendous job working long, long hours. And you’ve seen a lot happen, but this has been – it’s been a great experience, and working with you has been terrific.” That was 13 March.He added: “Tony has been doing a tremendous job working long, long hours. And you’ve seen a lot happen, but this has been – it’s been a great experience, and working with you has been terrific.” That was 13 March.
Ten days later, Trump’s view of the straight-talking doctor from New York appears not to have been tarnished by their disagreements. Ten days later, Trump’s opinion of the doctor appears not to have been dimmed by their disagreements.
“I like Dr Fauci a lot,” he told reporters on Monday.“I like Dr Fauci a lot,” he told reporters on Monday.
But did Fauci agree with Trump’s latest declaration – that he could soon begin easing restrictions on social distancing and public activities recommended by public health officials to help contain the spread of the coronavirus?But did Fauci agree with Trump’s latest declaration – that he could soon begin easing restrictions on social distancing and public activities recommended by public health officials to help contain the spread of the coronavirus?
Trump paused, then replied: “Well, he doesn’t agree.” Trump paused, then replied: “Well, he doesn’t not agree.”