Fauci comments on virus response seem to draw Trump’s ire

Trump tweets that it is "Time to #FireFauci" after criticism that the president didn't do enough early on to fight coronavirus.

By

National News

April 13, 2020 - 9:33 AM

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, at a coronavirus task force briefing on April 8, 2020. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/TNS) Photo by (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/TNS)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Social restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus could have saved lives if they’d been started earlier, and when they’re eased new cases are certain to arise, said the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, seeming to draw the ire of President Donald Trump.

Trump, who has been chafing at criticism that he didn’t do enough early on to fight the virus, reposted a tweet that referenced Fauci’s comments and that said “Time to #FireFauci.” Trump again pointed to his decision in late January to restrict travel from China, writing, “Sorry Fake News, it’s all on tape. I banned China long before people spoke up.”

Fauci said Sunday that the economy in parts of the country could have a “rolling reentry” as early as next month, provided health authorities can quickly identify and isolate people who will inevitably be infected. Fauci also said he “can’t guarantee” that it will be safe for Americans to vote in person on Election Day, Nov. 3.

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