Fauci says it’s too early to tell if Christmas gatherings will be safe

Chief Medical Advisor of the White House Antoine FauciAnthony FauciFauci says it’s a ‘false narrative’ to think the COVID-19 vaccine isn’t needed if the Merck-approved drug Sunday shows a glimpse: Biden steps up participation in talks amid a standoff over Fauci infrastructure: Merck pill results to treat COVID-19 ‘impressive’ MORE said on Sunday it was “too early to say” whether people should avoid gathering for Christmas this year amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Fauci told CBS “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan that it was “just too early to say” whether Americans would need to limit the size and scope of their holiday celebrations as had been recommended. Last year.

“We just need to focus on continuing to bring those numbers down and not try to move forward weeks or months and say what we’re going to do at some point,” Fauci said.

“Let’s focus like a laser on further reducing these cases. And we can do that by having people vaccinated and also in the situation where the boosters are appropriate to stimulate people,” he added.

VACATION LOOKAHEAD: “It is simply too early to tell” Dr Anthony FauciAnthony FauciFauci says it’s a ‘false narrative’ to think the COVID-19 vaccine isn’t needed if the Merck-approved drug Sunday shows a glimpse: Biden steps up participation in talks amid a standoff over Fauci infrastructure: Merck pill results to treat COVID-19 ‘impressive’ MORE recount @margbrennan when in a hurry to find out whether or not it is safe for people to get together for Christmas this year.

He says the country should instead focus on reducing COVID cases. pic.twitter.com/ey0ft9aCOh

– Face the Nation (@FaceTheNation) October 3, 2021

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged Americans not to travel for Christmas because cases were reaching record levels.

“The best thing for Americans to do over the next holiday season is stay home and not travel,” said Henry Walke, then CDC COVID-19 head of incidents at the time. “The cases are multiplying. Hospitalizations multiply, deaths multiply. We have to try to bend the curve, stop this exponential increase. “

Michael Osterholm, member of President BidenJoe BidenTop GOP Senator: “Far-Left Democrats Drive The Bus And Joe Biden Is Right Here For The Ride” Political Study Should Give Democrats Shock Fauci Says It’s A “False Story” To Think Vaccine COVID-19 not needed if Merck drug approved PLUSThe COVID-19 Advisory Board of upon transitioning into office, categorically stated in December that “there is no safe Christmas party in this country at this time, unless everyone in the 10 to 14 days previous has not been collected “.

At the time, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine had become the first vaccine to be granted emergency use authorization and administration was limited to those at high risk. As of Sunday, about 65% of the eligible U.S. population was fully vaccinated against COVID-19, although the seven-day moving average for new cases is actually higher than it was at this time of year. last.

At the start of October 2020, the seven-day moving average was around 43,000 according to the CDC. Currently, the seven-day moving average is around 103,000. The average has been declining since its peak in late August.