Time magazine released this year’s “most influential people” list, which includes a figure who has been in the spotlight amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, serves on the White House coronavirus task force. He has regularly encouraged Americans to follow guidelines in an effort to combat the virus that has resulted in over 6.9 million cases and over 200,000 deaths.
Now, Time has listed Fauci as one of the top leaders of the year.
Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel offered praise to Fauci in the Time’s section on the country’s top disease expert.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread to the U.S., there was one person millions of Americans immediately knew we could turn to for guidance: Dr. Anthony Fauci,” Kimmel wrote.
Kimmel noted that Fauci has advised six presidents over a 36 year span, and this time, when COVID-19 “reared its ugly head,” Fauci “was among the first to step forward with facts and only facts.”
The “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” host continued, “Dr. Fauci doesn’t sugarcoat his words and refuses to be pressured by politicians.”
“He delivers the truth, as difficult as it may be to hear, earnestly and with one goal: to save lives.”
“His courage and candor have earned our trust,” Kimmel concluded. “We are all fortunate to have a man of his wisdom, experience and integrity to help us navigate these difficult waters.”
Watch Fauci’s interview below:
Others who were included on “The Most Influential People of 2020” list are President Donald Trump, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Chief Justice John Roberts, Attorney General William Barr, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).