Fauci Privately Warns Trump Admin Against Reversing Social Distancing Rules

President Donald Trump announces that he is declaring a national emergency during a news conference with National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci and other members of his coronavir... President Donald Trump announces that he is declaring a national emergency during a news conference with National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci and other members of his coronavirus task force at the White House on March 13, 2020. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Dr. Anthony Fauci, the National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases director at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has reportedly been trying to push back against the possibility of the Trump administration lifting its social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Washington Post reported on Monday that Fauci and other public health experts have been privately emphasizing to those in President Donald Trump’s orbit, including GOP lawmakers, the importance of the White House’s 15-day social distancing rule in the battle against the coronavirus.

Trump, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and several Republicans have reportedly become concerned that social distancing will hurt the economy, leading them to argue that such measures ought to be rolled back. Trump’s fear stems from the fact that a tanking economy would imperil his reelection prospects, according to the Post.

Echoing Trump’s declaration that “the cure can’t be worse than the disease,” White House Director of the National Economic Council Larry Kudlow said on Monday that “we’re going to have to make difficult trade-offs” at the end of the 15-day period.

Unnamed sources told the Post that Fauci and his colleagues have warned the administration that health care workers’ vigorous response to the outbreak would be put in jeopardy if the social distancing guidelines were to be lifted once the period ends.

On Monday morning, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams told NBC News’ “Today Show” host Savannah Guthrie that “we really, really need everyone to stay at home” to avoid further spread of the coronavirus.

“I want America to understand this week, it’s going to get bad,” he said.

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Notable Replies

  1. Trump, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and several Republicans have reportedly become concerned that social distancing will hurt the economy, leading them to argue that such measures ought to be rolled back. Trump’s fear stems from the fact that a tanking economy would imperil his reelection prospects, according to the Post.

    People are saying that tRump Hotels are offering daily Toga parties hosted by Rand Paul at a new low low rate. I encourage all who curry tRump’s favor to attend these.

    Everything must be weighed against a disruption of his re-election chances…nothing else matters. :face_with_thermometer: :sneezing_face::mask::skull_and_crossbones:

  2. Pro-life republicans are suddenly willing to trade lives for money.

  3. Donald (Anything for a Buck) J trump and his team. What pathetic excuses for men.

  4. Avatar for ghost ghost says:

    Keep trying, Dr. Fauci, keep trying.

    Donnie will do what he wants to do, but at least you’re showing that some sanity still exists in this administration.

  5. It is going to turn interesting if Trump battles with Fauci.

    Consider the idea that Fauci’s name recognition is far higher than Jerome Adams and Trump has a problem immediately with screwing Fauci over.

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