Thank you.
Thank you.
Years from now when we look back at the coronavirus pandemic, one of the first people we’ll think of is Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. And why not? It was one year ago when an argument could be made that the two most trusted public figures on COVID-19 were Fauci and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
We all know about the spectacular fall of the latter from 70-something percent approval ratings, thanks to a COVID-19-related nursing home scandal, allegations of sexual harassment and prioritizing COVID-19 tests for family members.
In April 2020, Fauci enjoyed headlines like these:
“Anthony Fauci – the Most Trusted Man in America” – The New Yorker
“Study: Americans trust Fauci more than Trump or their own governors” – USA Today
“Dr. Anthony Fauci and Andrew Cuomo remain the most trusted leaders on coronavirus, while Donald Trump and Jared Kushner are the least trusted” – Business Insider
But things seem to have turned in recent weeks as the ubiquitous Fauci continues to hold interview after interview with the same message about the way Americans should conduct themselves after being vaccinated. Last weekend, for example, MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan asked Fauci the following question: “What is the message to vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans as to what they should and should not be doing right now? For example, eating and drinking indoors in restaurants and bars … is that OK now?”
“No, it’s still not OK,” Fauci replied, citing new cases still above 50,000 per day before adding: “If you are vaccinated, please remember that you still have to be careful and not get involved in crowded situations, particularly indoors where people are not wearing masks.”
So, what does that tell us? If you’re vaccinated, you still can’t meet other vaccinated friends for dinner? Or was Fauci only referring to vaccinated people meeting up with unvaccinated people?
Years from now when we look back at the coronavirus pandemic, one of the first people we’ll think of is Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. And why not? It was one year ago when an argument could be made that the two most trusted public figures on COVID-19 were Fauci and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
We all know about the spectacular fall of the latter from 70-something percent approval ratings, thanks to a COVID-19-related nursing home scandal, allegations of sexual harassment and prioritizing COVID-19 tests for family members.
In April 2020, Fauci enjoyed headlines like these:
“Anthony Fauci – the Most Trusted Man in America” – The New Yorker
“Study: Americans trust Fauci more than Trump or their own governors” – USA Today
“Dr. Anthony Fauci and Andrew Cuomo remain the most trusted leaders on coronavirus, while Donald Trump and Jared Kushner are the least trusted” – Business Insider
But things seem to have turned in recent weeks as the ubiquitous Fauci continues to hold interview after interview with the same message about the way Americans should conduct themselves after being vaccinated. Last weekend, for example, MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan asked Fauci the following question: “What is the message to vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans as to what they should and should not be doing right now? For example, eating and drinking indoors in restaurants and bars … is that OK now?”
“No, it’s still not OK,” Fauci replied, citing new cases still above 50,000 per day before adding: “If you are vaccinated, please remember that you still have to be careful and not get involved in crowded situations, particularly indoors where people are not wearing masks.”
So, what does that tell us? If you’re vaccinated, you still can’t meet other vaccinated friends for dinner? Or was Fauci only referring to vaccinated people meeting up with unvaccinated people?
(post is archived)