The nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said in an interview on 60 Minutes that aired Sunday that he realized the superspreader event held at the White House Rose Garden on September 26th “Nothing good can come out of that.”
According to CNN, Fauci was “absolutely not” surprised when Trump tested positive for coronavirus. “I was worried that he was going to get sick when I saw him in a completely precarious situation of crowded — no separation between people, and almost nobody wearing a mask.”
“Contrary to what we thought, masks really do work in preventing infection,” says Dr. Fauci about a statement he made early in the pandemic about masks. “When you find out you’re wrong, it’s a manifestation of your honesty to say ‘Hey, I was wrong.’” https://t.co/zZg1MS7fPP pic.twitter.com/jwHYBYxtDX
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 18, 2020
No fewer than twelve people who attended the event have publicly confirmed they contracted the coronavirus. There are no records for private citizens in attendance, and the White House has resisted efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to undertake contact tracing.
Referring to the prevalence of coronavirus infections at the Rose Garden event and the coincidental lack of public health guidelines, Fauci said, “The data speak for themselves.”
Fauci also noted that contrary to the message Trump proclaims in his interviews and during rallies, masks are effective ways to inhibit the spread of the coronavirus.
When asked if the White House has restricted his access to address the media, Fauci said, “Y’know, ohn, I think I have to be honest and say yes.”
Has the White House been controlling when Dr. Fauci can speak with the media?
“To be honest… yes,” says Dr. Fauci. “There has been a restriction… but, it isn’t consistent.” https://t.co/LXBve3PUWC pic.twitter.com/YOoNLnAHc9
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 18, 2020