Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Dr. Fauci has some explaining to do
Date:	4/13/2020 3:44:31 PM

In his interview this weekend with cnnBS he implied that they made early recommendations that were not followed.  That is demonstrably false and at odds with his many public statements.  He was specifically asked if we had done something to quarantine on March 21st and implied they tried but their recommendations were not accepted and that additional people died as a result.  Recall, this is over 7 weeks after Trump halted flights from China to the universal condemnation of the left (including Crazy Uncle Joe) and the media.  It's no wonder #firefauci is trending on Twitter. 

Judge for yourself.

February 29th (8 days after the 21st): 

TODAY SHOW: So Dr. Fauci, it’s Saturday morning in America, people are waking up right now with real concerns about this; they want to go to malls, and movies, maybe the gym, as well. Should we be changing our habits, and if so, how?

FAUCI: No. Right now at this moment, there is no need to change anything that you’re doing on a day-by-day basis.  Right now the risk is still low, but this could change. I’ve said that many times, even on this program. You got watch out, because although the risk is low now, you don’t need to change anything you’re doing. When you start to see community spread, this could change, and force you to become much more attentive to doing things that would protect you from, spread.

March 9th (17 days after the 21st):

FAUCI: You know, I can’t comment on campaign rallies. It really depends. We are having as we all said — this is something in motion. This is an evolving thing. So I’m not sure what we’re going to be able to say at the time we’re going to have a campaign rally. If you’re talking about a campaign rally tomorrow, in a place where there is no community spread, I think the judgment to have it might be a good judgment. [But] if you want to talk about large gatherings in a place you have community spread, I think that’s a judgment call, and if someone decides they want to cancel it, I wouldn’t publicly  criticize them.

And then this about cruises.

FAUCI: I think if you’re a healthy young person that there is no reason; if you want to go on a cruise ship, to go on a cruise ship. Personally, I would never go on a cruise ship, because I don’t like cruises. But [laughs at own joke] that’s another story. But the fact is, if you have the condition that I’ve been speaking about over and over again to this group, namely an individual who has an underlying condition, particularly an elderly person who has an underlying condition, I would recommend strongly that they do not go on a cruise ship.

So him saying lives could have been saved had the restrictions been put in place earlier is rich indeed.  He will not be treated well when the history of this response to the pandemic is examined.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Dr. Fauci has some explaining to do
Date:	4/13/2020 4:54:27 PM

Fauci didn't do anything wrong.  He was asked a question and he answered it from a medical viewpoint.  Then he went on to say that it was a very complex issue.  When are we going to get past this idea that everyone has to stoke Trump's ego and even agree with him on everything.  Let's face it, Trump was depending on a booming economy for his re-election and of course he would be hestitant to do anything that would affect that.  When all this got started, he was mired in concerns about the Russia investigation and then his impeachment.  

We need to stop putting all Presidents on a pedestal.  I had this discussion with someone else today that insinuated that Obama would hae handled it better.  Trump is in over his head, as would be anyone that was President right now.  He is doing the best he can - but that doesn't mean that he has done everything perfectly, as he seems to expect everyone aroud him to say.  That is wrong.  When everyone surrounding the President starts telling him only what he wants to hear, then the country is in big trouble.  He missed some important signs - but he is human and he had no crystal ball.  Shutting down the economy was a huge step and any normal person would have postponed doing that as long as they could.  But it is not disloyal to say that Trump could have handled things better, because hindsight is 20/20.  We could just as easily blame Congress who were chasing rabbits, instead of paying attention to the virus.  They were totally focused on politics and trying to get Trump.  

Trump isn't going to fire Fauci (as was confirmed by the WH today), because people trust him.  Trump actually needs Fauci much more than Fauci needs Trump.  Fauci is 79 and could just up and retire.  Trump is smart enough to know this.  

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Dr. Fauci has some explaining to do
Date:	4/13/2020 5:25:58 PM

What jumped out to me in his comments was the implication that they made recommendations that were not taken.  His public comments are at odds with that claim.  He then went on to agree that people died because of the lack of action.  While this is demonstrably true, his statement about recommendations not being taken puts the blame not on him or the NIH but on others.  This is not about Trump, this is about Fauci trying to rewrite history to absolve himself of any culpability.  I find that reprehensible for two reasons.  First, no one is responsible for this problem other than the Chinese Communist govt that lied about the virus early on.  Second, he is pretending he is not part of the administration when in fact he is.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Dr. Fauci has some explaining to do
Date:	4/13/2020 8:13:04 PM

Scientists are not politicians.  But Fauci clarified what he meant at today's press conference.  Of course the reporters tried to imply he was being forced to recalibrate his answer.  Look, the guys been going 24/7 for weeks.  If he isn't eloquent, I can forgive him.

Name:	Shortbus -	Reply
Subject:	Dr. Fauci has some explaining to do
Date:	4/13/2020 9:59:38 PM

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8188429/Dr-Fauci-revealed-fears-surprise-outbreak-three-YEARS-pandemic.html

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Dr. Fauci has some explaining to do
Date:	4/14/2020 8:39:36 AM

I suppose you are right that we should give him some slack.  But his comment on cnnBS was very egregious and I hope he apologized to the President and rest of the administration for implying he warned them earlier and they rejected his recommendations.  It's pretty obvious from his comments in late February and late March indicated that NIH didn't realize the seriousness of the situation.  It's also pretty obvious that Trump's decision to block travel from China in January was prescient and saved many lives.