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Key Takeaways From Fauci, Redfield Hearing: Though the U.S. Faces a “Disturbing Surge in Infections,” Trump Goes Weeks Without Talking to His Leading Coronavirus Experts 

By June 23, 2020June 25th, 2020No Comments

As the coronavirus crisis deepens, Trump is not just flouting expert guidance on how to slow the outbreak — he is declining to meet with his own experts at all. At today’s House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci, CDC Director Robert Redfield, and Adm. Brett Giroir made clear that it has been weeks since the President consulted the coronavirus task force — despite the recent surge in infections and hospitalizations. Here are key takeaways from the hearing: 

 

1. The United States Is Facing A “Disturbing Surge In Infections.”

According to CNBC’s Meg Tirrell, “In congressional hearing, Dr Fauci cites a ‘disturbing surge of infections’ in some areas of the country that reflect an ‘increase in community spread, and that’s something I’m really quite concerned about.’”

 

2. Dr. Anthony Fauci Said The Coming Weeks Will Be “Critical In Our Ability To Address Those Surges We Are Seeing.” 

 

During today’s hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci said: “If you look at how we’ve been hit, we’ve been hit badly. We’ve had now over 120,000 deaths and 2.5 million infections. So it’s a serious situation…  the next couple weeks are going to be critical in our ability to address those surges we are seeing.”

 

3. The Coronavirus Crisis Is Ongoing — None Of The Four Experts Agreed With The Statement That The Coronavirus Was Under Control.

 

Asked by Rep. Peter Welch to raise their hands if they agreed with Trump’s statement that the coronavirus was under control, Redfield, Fauci, Giroir, and Hahn disagreed, all keeping their hands down.

 

4. Trump Has Largely Given Up — As Nearly 30,000 New Cases Are Reported Daily, It’s Been More Than Two Weeks Since He Talked To Many Of His Experts About The Virus.

 

According to CNN’s Manu Raju: “Asked by Rep. Barragan, CDC Director Robert Redfield won’t say when was the last time he spoke to Trump; Fauci says it’s been about 2.5 weeks. Giroir says about three weeks. Hahn says it’s been ‘some time’ since they talked ‘pandemic response’ but they spoke ‘a couple weeks ago.’”