Dr Fauci makes surprise appearance at MTA board meeting

Dr Anthony Fauci wants everyone on board.

The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases made an unexpected appearance at the MTA board meeting on Thursday – calling on agency workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and recalling his childhood on the rails in New York.

“The New York City subway system is built into my brain,” Fauci said in a video post, identifying himself as “Tony” and “someone who grew up in Brooklyn”.

“I took the subway every day to go from my house to Brooklyn, to and from Regis High School in Manhattan. I took either the BMT – what was then called the West End Line – when I lived in Bensonhurst, or what was then called the Sea Beach Line when I moved to Dyker Heights. I would take it from there to 14th Street to Union Square where I would take the IRT Lexington Avenue Express to 86th and Lex to get to Regis on 85th between Madison and Park. And so that I can have a warm relationship with you, the people who played an important role in my youth as a New Yorker.

He then said he “strongly” encouraged all MTA workers to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

“This pandemic has cost us so much and vaccination is the best way for us to fight back and help restore our lives,” he said.

“Throughout the American pandemic, you have kept New York City’s public transportation moving,” Fauci said. “This is why you are essential frontline workers to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Take advantage of it, get vaccinated. “

He added: “The sooner you get vaccinated, the sooner we can get our lives and our country back on track.”

Fauci’s plea comes after the virus claimed the lives of at least 130 MTA workers and sickened thousands more.

Transit workers became eligible for shooting under state rules last week – and even get a financial bonus for receiving it – but the city’s rollout has been hampered by a registration system clumsy and a shortage of doses.

MTA chairman Pat Foye at Thursday’s meeting urged transit workers to follow Fauci’s advice.

“We cannot pass up this opportunity to crush the virus. We have gone too far and our people have worked so hard to keep the region moving during the pandemic, ”said Foye.