Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House task force, had testified that reopening states too soon during the COVID-19 pandemic could bring even more “suffering and death” during a hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions this week.
Dr. Fauci had also warned that an effective vaccine or treatment for the virus was unlikely to be available by September when schools are set to reopen.
“We just have to see on a step-by-step basis as we get into the period of time with the fall about reopening the schools, exactly where we will be in the dynamics of the outbreak,” he said.
But the US President told reporters at the White House that he was “surprised” by Fauci’s answers.
“Look, he wants to play all sides of the equation,” Trump said. “I was surprised by his answer, actually.” Trump said when asked for clarification. “To me it’s not an acceptable answer, especially when it comes to schools.”
Many US states have begun relaxing their social distancing rules in an effort to get the US economy started again, cheered on by Trump who has been pushing for businesses shut down in the crisis to reopen.
“We’re opening our country. People want it open. The schools are going to be open,” the President said.
Given the US now has over 1.44 million confirmed coronavirus cases – with more than 86,000 deaths recorded – that may be an optimistic view.
