Just in case you don’t know – this is Dr Anthony Fauci. He’s the director of NIAID, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in America. He is right at the centre of the pandemic hurricane sweeping across the United States, which now has by far the largest number of covid-19 cases in the world.
The doctor is America’s leading medical guru, regularly speaking from the podium during the White House’s briefings about the virus. He is an amazing guy fizzing with energy. Still a keen runner at the age of 79. A medical expert with an inspiring track record, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the 1980s.
I have watched several of Dr Fauci’s public performances over the past few weeks. He routinely tells the American people the raw hard facts about the dramatic impact and progress of the pandemic.
This would be a difficult enough task on its own. However, the good doctor also has to tread carefully. His judgments can frequently be at odds with the political and economic priorities of President Trump’s administration. I recommend this recent in-depth interview with Dr Fauci in Science magazine. Here he gives a fascinating horse’s mouth assessment of his delicate but crucial role.
Apart from the occasional mis-step, Dr Fauci is still a positive influence on the future direction of America’s pandemic policy. However, he is increasingly coming under criticism by voices on the left and on the right keen to push their own political agendas. Maybe you would like to see the good doctor in action and judge for yourself. If so, watch this 15-minute news-making interview he gave to CNN last Sunday.
It’s heartening to see that all over the world scientists are collaborating and coming to our rescue. Leading scientific and medical experts across the globe are becoming reassuring public figures. Of course, they are not infallible but they are the best lifeline we have.
In the UK there is Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer, and his deputy, Dr Jenny Harries. And they are not alone.
Check out this inspiring roll-call of emerging trusted medical voices in the rest of Europe and Australia.
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