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WASHINGTON: Anthony Fauci, America’s leading infectious disease expert, said on Thursday (Jan 21) that based on recent seven-day averages, COVID-19 infections may be on the verge of reaching a plateau. in United States.
At a press conference at the White House, Fauci also said that coronavirus vaccines can be modified to account for new variants of the virus, and that while the South African variant is concerning, it does not appear to be in the US. .
COVID-19 has been spinning out of control for months, with the death toll in the United States exceeding 400,000.
Fauci said he hopes current vaccines will be effective against newly discovered virus mutations.
“Bottom line: We are paying close attention to this for our alternative plans if we ever have to modify the vaccine,” he said. “But right now, based on the reports we have … It appears that the vaccines will continue to be effective against them.”
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“LIBERATOR”
In his first briefing at the White House as President Joe Biden’s top adviser on COVID-19, Fauci also said it was “liberating” to be able to focus on the science without fear of repercussions now that Donald Trump had left office.
When asked to compare his experience under the old administration with the new one, the 80-year-old responded a bit coy at first, saying he wasn’t sure he could “extrapolate” based on first impressions.
“But one of the things that became very clear as recently as about 15 minutes ago, when I was with the president, is that one of the things that we are going to do is be completely transparent, open and honest.
“If things go wrong, don’t point fingers but correct them and make everything we do based on science and evidence.”
Towards the end of Thursday’s briefing, another reporter asked Fauci to expand on his “jokes” about the differences in management styles between the two leaders.
“He was very serious about it, he wasn’t kidding,” he said laughing.
“Obviously I don’t want to go over history, but it was very clear that things were said, be it about things like hydroxychloroquine and other things like that, that it was really awkward because they weren’t based on scientific data. Fact.”
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He added that he didn’t like having to contradict the president and that “it really was something you didn’t feel like you could say and there would be no repercussions.
“The idea that you can come here and talk about what you know. What is the evidence, what is science, and knowing what that is, let science speak, is a somewhat liberating feeling.”
Fauci’s honest views on America’s failures to deal with its epidemic led him into conflict with Trump, who repeatedly declared a premature victory over the virus, was wrong about wearing masks and locks, and promoted unfounded miracle cures.
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