Dr. Anthony Fauci in a highly anticipated hearing on Tuesday warned the Senate health committee of “really serious” consequences if states ignore federal guidelines and reopen too early during the coronavirus pandemic.
Fauci said the danger of new spikes of coronavirus cases from reopenings is both real and dangerous.
“My concern is that if some areas, city, states, or what have you, jump over those various checkpoints, and prematurely open up without having the capability of being able to respond effectively and efficiently, my concern is that we will start to see little spikes that might turn into outbreaks,” Fauci said during virtual testimony from his home in Washington.
“The consequences could be really serious,” said Fauci, who is self-isolating after being in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case at the White House.
He added that this is also the case in states that are moving at an “appropriate pace” in reopening as well.
“Even under the best of circumstances, when you pull back on mitigation, you will see some cases appear. It’s the ability and the capability of responding to those cases with good identification isolation and contact tracing will determine whether you can continue to go forward, as you try to reopen America.”
Fauci’s comments at the hearing, which was carried live by cable television networks, comes as the White House has pressed state to reopen their economies.
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JUST IN: Fauci warns of "really serious" consequences if nation reopens too quickly amid coronavirus pandemic https://t.co/mjcnjw8vCI pic.twitter.com/yTZpgvNQYu
— The Hill (@thehill) May 12, 2020
New outbreaks are likely as public life resumes, Dr. Fauci told a Senate panel today, prolonging the coronavirus fight if states are not adequately prepared to respond https://t.co/p4JrCy9WVQ pic.twitter.com/zrPMXnQcGd
— POLITICO (@politico) May 12, 2020
add this to the growing list of public figures unironically calling for reopening while under self-quarantine https://t.co/QaghfUGr25
— Catherine Rampell (@crampell) May 12, 2020
This is amazing. Fox's offices will be largely closed for another month *at the very least,* @brianstelter reports in his newsletter.
"It's strange to see Fox stars hosting from home…telling viewers that it's time to get back out," Stelter says.
Reupping: https://t.co/iDepH0ax70
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) May 12, 2020
NEW: 61% of Americans say it is primarily the federal government’s responsibility to make sure there are enough COVID-19 tests in order to safely lift states’ stay-at-home restrictions. https://t.co/gS9o1rSunv
— Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) May 12, 2020
"I accept no responsibility at all" https://t.co/gvBTqT8hla
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) May 12, 2020
Romney says US testing record "nothing to celebrate whatsoever" https://t.co/cR6y0ztQlb pic.twitter.com/AmuApr562J
— The Hill (@thehill) May 12, 2020Sen. Romney on US testing rate comparisons:
“I find our testing record nothing to celebrate whatsoever. The fact is [South Korea’s] test numbers are going down, down, down now, because they don’t have the kind of outbreak … Ours are going up, up, up, because they have to.” pic.twitter.com/OghY5dn19Q
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 12, 2020
ROMNEY: The president said the other day that Obama is responsible for our lack of a vaccine. Are Obama or Trump responsible?
FAUCI: "No, senator, not at all." pic.twitter.com/pvqwwaj17F
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 12, 2020
Mitt Romney asks a very good question: Is vaccine in 1-2 years "a long shot," "more likely than not," or "very likely." Dr. Fauci says it is "clearly much more likely than not" that there will be a vaccine in that time frame.
— Robby Soave (@robbysoave) May 12, 2020
Full Fauci email message to me: pic.twitter.com/yq8IAa9f8g
— Sheryl Gay Stolberg (@SherylNYT) May 12, 2020
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