Don’t wait for a vaccine, Dr. Birx says. Do this instead

Dr. Deborah Birx — one of President Donald Trump’s closest advisers on the White House Coronavirus Task Force — doesn’t want you to wait for the COVID-19 vaccine in order to do the right thing, according to CNN.

What’s happening:

Birx said this week that Americans can work now to stop the community spread of the coronavirus.

• “Do the right thing today. Because if we do the right thing today, we go into the fall with much fewer cases.”
• “Right now, we gain freedom through wearing our masks and socially distancing.”

She advised Americans to avoid having too many people in the backyard. And to be careful about attending concert venues where there may be crowds.

• “We know we can’t always be perfect. We know that we’ll put this message out about private gatherings and something will happen and you’ll realize you have been in a situation, you’ve been around people, you didn’t have your mask on. That is the time to make sure you’re protecting others in your household and around you by wearing a mask when you’re around them, even if they’re family.”

Rushing a vaccine

Birx — like other leading experts — expressed worry about fast-tracking a coronavirus vaccine.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, a White House coronavirus expert, said that releasing a vaccine too quickly might not be safe, either, according to the New York Post.

• “One of the potential dangers if you prematurely let a vaccine out is that it would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the other vaccines to enroll people in their trial,” Fauci told Reuters.