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A prominent US virus expert has criticized the White House for hosting what he claimed turned out to be a “super-spread event” linked to a COVID-19 outbreak.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease expert and White House member coronavirus task force, also criticized Donald Trump’s use of the word “cure” when speaking of his recovery from the disease.
Several of Trump’s aides and allies tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a rose garden event where the president unveiled Amy Coney Barrett as her Supreme Court pick.
Dr. Fauci appears to have confirmed speculations that the ceremony was a “super spread event” that resulted in the infection of several people.
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When asked by CBS News if the masks were effective in limiting the spread of the coronavirus, Dr. Fauci responded, “I think the data speaks for itself.
“We had a super broadcaster event at the White House and it was in a situation where people were huddled together and not wearing masks. So the data speaks for itself.”
When asked about Trump’s use of the word ‘cure’, Dr. Fauci continued, ‘We don’t have any indication; I think you really have to depend on what you mean by’ cure ‘, because that’s a word that leads to a lot of confusion. “
Dr. Fauci also said he did not think the fact that the president was heard coughing during an interview with Fox News on Thursday night was cause for alarm.
He continued: “Most people, when they recover, they recover well. In a linear fashion, they get better and better and better, which it seems the president is doing.
“But having a persistent little cough is nothing unusual when someone recovers.”
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Trump spent three days in the hospital after he was diagnosed with coronavirus on October 1.
Attendees were seen hugging, punching fists and wearing no masks at the ceremony that took place Saturday before Trump revealed that he and the First Lady had tested positive.
The guests sat in tight chairs that didn’t appear to be six feet apart, and some of those who tested positive since then sat together.
People at the Rose Garden event who tested positive for coronavirus
In the image above, those marked in red tested positive for coronavirus, as did Trump.
A – Melania Trump
second – Kellyanne Conway
C – Chris Christie
re – Rev John Jenkins
me – Senator Mike Lee
F – Senator Thom Tills
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Donald Trump must speak at an event in Florida on Monday when he returns to the campaign after his coronavirus diagnosis.
The president is also expected to address supporters from a balcony at the White House on Saturday at an event on “law and order,” an official on his campaign team said.
The mystery surrounds whether Trump is still contagious and White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said medical tests will ensure that when the president returns he will not be able to transmit the virus.
She said: “He will not be there if he can transmit the virus.”
Dr. Fauci has also said that he is confident that Trump’s doctors will not allow him to leave the White House without further evidence.
Trump’s long-awaited return to the election campaign comes despite the fact that his second debate with presidential rival Joe Biden will not take place.
