The Fauci recognizes the American ‘spirit’ but advises people to ‘do as you are told’

Leading US infectious disease specialist Dr Anthony Fauci rebuffed accusations he was for an “authoritarian” rule surrounding coronavirus measures, but added Americans should listen to health officials.

“I was speaking with my British colleagues who say the UK is similar to where we are now, because each of our countries has this independent spirit,” Fauci said during a speech at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday , CNBC first reported. “I can understand that, but now is the time to do as you are told.”

SEN. RAND PAUL ASKS DR. FAUCI ‘TENDERS TO SHINE ON SCIENCE’

The Fauci also fended off accusations that health officials have taken “authoritarian” positions in their recommendations on how to tackle the coronavirus pandemic – a sentiment shared by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Thursday .

“He believes the submission and the lockdowns are fine, he’s not too worried about individual freedoms,” Paul told Fox News’ Martha McCallum before adding that the lockdowns and mask warrants amounted to living in an “authoritarian” society.

Fauci, speaking with other senior health officials, said it was disappointing that the coronavirus pandemic “has been made into politics.

He also said he thought people didn’t want to listen to what scientists recommended due to the country’s “divided” state – a belief supported by a Pew Research report that Democrats are more likely that Republicans believe the coronavirus is a threat. to public health.

“Suddenly science is caught in a big part of this division,” he said.

Fauci’s comments come as the United States sees a record number of coronavirus cases nationwide in the second wave of the pandemic, with 153,496 new cases and 919 deaths reported on Friday.

Cities like Chicago, where the number of cases has peaked since the spring, are now returning to home orders – a move that has frustrated the Conservatives.

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But Fauci believes that if people wore masks and listened to social distancing advisories while maintaining sanitary measures such as washing or disinfecting their hands, this virus can stay under control – allowing the country to remain open.

More than 10.7 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus and more than 244,000 have died during the pandemic.