Dr. Fauci bombarded questions about Covid’s origins in chaotic final briefing
Dr. Anthony Fauci’s final briefing as the country’s top infectious disease expert took a confusing turn when he was hit with questions about the origins of the coronavirus.
Fauci, 81, who will retire next month as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), delivered a final message after 54 years of public service.
“My message, and my last message, probably my last message from this podium, is that for the safety of yourself and your family, get the latest Covid-19 vaccinations as soon as you are eligible to protect. Please… yourself, your family and your community,” Fauci said in the White House briefing room on Tuesday.
Fauci also advised Americans to get tested before gathering with their families for the Thanksgiving holiday.
“When you’re gathering for a family gathering for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other holiday going into winter, it makes sense that you’d want to be tested that day before you get to where you are. You can get infected and spread it or spread it to other people,” he said.
After his message, Fauci was bombarded with political questions from reporters about the coronavirus.
The Daily Caller’s Diana Grebois tried to ask Mr. Fauci what he did to investigate the origin of the virus, but was turned down by White House Press Secretary Carine Jean-Pierre.
“Here is the process.
“I won’t call you if you yell. Also, Dr. Fauci has to leave in a few minutes, so you’re taking the time off the clock.”
Glebova spoke up again, but Jean-Pierre said she was “finished” and did not intend to “go back and forth” with her.
Later, Today News Africa journalist Simon Ateba vouched for Glebova.
“I need to call the person across the room,” said Ateba. “She has a valid question. She was asked about her Covid origins.”
Jean-Pierre said to Atheba, “It’s not your turn.”
“I hear your question, but we are not doing this the way you want it. This is disrespectful,” said Jean-Pierre. “Simon, I’m done. Simon, I’m done. I’m done with you now. You’re stealing time from your colleagues.”
It marked the end of Fauci’s long tenure marred by controversy during the coronavirus pandemic. I was hitting
Fauci announced his retirement in August. In December, he served as Director of NIAID and Chief Medical Advisor to the White House.
Fauci said on Tuesday that he had “given everything he’d taken in decades.”
“What I have accomplished in my 54 years at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and 38 years as Director of NIAID is only a fraction of 40 years of total, even though Covid is really very important. I don’t think so.”I do it all the time,” Fauci said.
“I’ll leave it to others to judge the worth of my achievements, but what I want people to remember about what I’ve accomplished is what I have, every day over the years. He has given everything: “I have left nothing on the field.”
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https://metro.co.uk/2022/11/23/dr-fauci-hit-with-questions-on-covid-origin-in-chaotic-final-briefing-17811134/ Dr. Fauci bombarded questions about Covid's origins in chaotic final briefing