Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), was pressed on whether President Donald Trump’s criticism has impacted his decisions on the coronavirus outbreak.
The top infectious disease expert appeared on MSNBC’s “All In With Chris Hayes” Thursday where he was asked if he faces pressure from Trump and government officials regarding the coronavirus mitigation efforts.
Hayes raised questions about the recent clash between Trump and CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield where the president contradicted the CDC director’s remarks about the effectiveness of masks.
“As I’m talking to you, I almost want you to break fourth wall and say…” Hayes said, adding, “Like, is there a Donald Trump on your shoulder that you’re running this through?”
Fauci shook his head as he claimed that he is not. However, Hayes was not convinced.
“Because the president has said things, the president has said, he says a lot of people say masks don’t work, and he’s ridiculed people for wearing masks, and I guess my question to you is, like, the science does say that masks work, right?” Hayes asked.
He added, “Like, this is really important that people wear masks, and when we see big crowded events of people not wearing masks, that’s not good?”
See Fauci’s remarks below:
Fauci doubled down on his stance as he insisted that his guidance for mitigating the spread of the coronavirus has always remained the same.
“Chris, I have been crystal clear for a long time in what I’ve been saying,” Fauci said as they both laughed. “I don’t think there’s any ambiguity of what I’ve been saying.”
Fauci went on to support Redfield’s arguments on the importance of masks to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
He added, “Masks are important. They’re effective. Combined it with physical distancing, avoiding crowds, and washing hands, and it works. End of story. It’s true. No question about that.”