Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the country’s top infectious disease experts, doesn’t think we’re at the end of the pandemic yet — and there’s plenty more to do until we get there.
How to end the COVID-19 pandemic
Fauci told CNN Monday night that the U.S. shouldn’t declare victory against the novel coronavirus just yet, and that there is plenty more work to be done to end the war with the virus.
- “Don’t declare victory prematurely,” Fauci told CNN. “We see so many pulling back on some of the public health measures, the mask mandates, the restaurant opening, the bars, we can’t be doing that. We’ve got to wait a bit longer until we get enough vaccine into people that we will clearly blunt any surge.”
Fauci told CNN that a fast vaccine rollout and doubling down on all public health guidelines and safety measure could help the U.S. see a pandemic “turnaround.”
How Fauci acts after vaccination
Fauci told Yahoo News he has changed some of his behaviors after getting vaccinated. For example, he said he and his friends would spend time outdoors with masks before vaccination. Now, they spend time indoors.
However, he said he won’t eat at a restaurant, still, or go to the movies, as I wrote for the Deseret News.
- “I don’t think I would — even if I’m vaccinated — go into an indoor, crowded place where people are not wearing masks,” Fauci said.
Fauci said he wouldn’t travel, either.
- “I don’t really see myself going on any fun trips for a while,” he said.