Dr. Anthony Fauci is imploring Americans to continue wearing masks and practicing social distancing while waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine to reach them.
During his appearance on “Meet the Press,” Fauci noted some regions of the nation are practicing public health measures and some are not.
Fauci explained it is simple to wear masks, practice social distancing, avoid crowded indoor activities, and practice hand washing.
“We are in a very serious situation, but we can do something about it, point number one. Point number two is that help is on the way. Traditionally and historically, highly efficacious and effective vaccines have crushed epidemics like smallpox and polio and measles,” Fauci said.
Watch his remarks below:
TODAY on #MTP: Dr. Fauci tells Chuck Todd that masks and social distancing are effective, and "help is on the way" with vaccines.
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) November 22, 2020
Dr. Fauci: "Traditionally and historically, highly efficacious and effective vaccines have crushed epidemics like smallpox and polio and measles." pic.twitter.com/qCZ3BxMInY
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former head of Food and Drug Administration, similarly argued Americans will have to practice public safety measures even with a vaccine.
“There will be therapeutics available, vaccinations available, probably to help on the tail end of what we’re gonna go through,” he said.
Gottlieb added, “But, we’re gonna have to go through this the old fashioned way. We’re going to have to, you know, hunker down, reduce our interactions, wear masks more aggressively — higher quality masks.”
Fauci reassured Americans the quick development of the vaccine “did not compromise safety,” as IJR previously reported.
“The process of the speed did not compromise at all safety nor did it compromise scientific integrity,” Fauci said.
He added, “It was a reflection of the extraordinary scientific advances in these types of vaccines which allowed us to do things in months that actually took years before. So, I really want to settle that concern that people have about that.”
Fauci stressed, “We need to put to rest any concept that this was rushed in an inappropriate way. This is really solid.”
Operation Warp Speed Chief Science Adviser Dr. Moncef Slaoui expressed his concern over the politicization of the vaccine, but explained he is confident in it, as IJR previously reported.
“I’ll be happy to take the vaccine. I’ll be happy to have my children or my parents have the vaccine,” he said.