A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it
answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.
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Mar. 19, 2003 - Bombing of Iraq begins.
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Mar. 19-28, 2003 - Major focus on war. Push towards Bagdad; massive precision bombing; Iraqi irregulars have executed GIs on El Azeera TV to the horror and anger of USA; SARS is getting out of control. 1500 cases and 53 deaths worldwide. At first, investigators isolated a paramyxovirus (metapneumovirus) at first seen on EM. However, this may have been a mistake since several groups led by CDC are now finding an unusual form of coronavirus (common cold). Briefed the VP on SARS and recent cardiac complication of smallpox vaccine via teleconference. March 27 - Testified with Secretary Thompson on Project BioShield at the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Several members (mostly Democrat) are balking at the mandated appropriations authority. They are reluctant to give up the power of the purse.
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March 28, 2003 - I gave a talk on Bioterrorism at the American Dental Association meeting in DC on March 28. The last person to come to the microphone to ask a question after my talk said that he had waited many years to publicly address me. He related that in 1979, his 7 year old daughter was gravely ill on a respirator with a diffuse autoimmune-like disease that her doctors could not figure out. She was moribund and they were about to give up on her. A doctor said that there was only one doctor in the country that he thought could come up with something and so they called me. Apparently, I spent over an hour on the phone walking through with them a plan for the patient that included plasmapheresis together with cytoxan and prednisone. Within days, his daughter began improving, got off the respirator, spent over a year in rehab, graduated high school, went to Barnard College, graduated first in her class, became a Ph.D. pathologist, got married and had a child. She is entirely well now. He said that he just wanted to thank me publicly for "saving his daughter's life". The audience gave me and him a standing ovation. It was one of the most moving things that I had experienced. the March 29 - April 1, 2003 - It is hitting the fan. SARS is getting out of control. More than 1800 cases and 62 deaths worldwide. 3.6% mortality. Clusters of cases appearing mostly in Hong Kong and China. Now there are 17 countries. USA has 72 cases in 27 states - no deaths yet. It appears that it is spread by respiratory droplets, but also recent evidence that by fine aerosal and objects - not unlike other coronaviruses. I will brief the POTUS this week on SARS. The war in Iraq is raging with troops engaging the Republican guard close to Bagdad. More myocarditis complications with smallpox vaccine. What a week so far!!!
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April 4, 2003 - Big day! US army captures Iraq International Airport. I testify before the House Government Reform Committee on the subject of Project BioShield. Mark McClellan testifies with me. The House (Shays, Waxman, Chairman Case generally support the concept of BioShield, but have some concerns such as with the "permanent" and indefinite Appropriations Authority. After the Hearing I, together with Julie Gerberding and Tom Ridge, brief President Bush, Laura Bush, VP Cheney, and the senior White House Staff on SARS and Smallpox vaccine program. We bring executive order to the POTUS on quarantine for SARS and he signs it. At meeting are Josh Bolten, Karl Rove, Ari Fleischer, Richard Falkenrath, Adm Steve Abbott,, etc. POTUS and VP as usual very warm and complimentary to me and to Julie. After the meeting, I spoke with Josh Bolten and volunteered to go to Iraq for the President if the Iraqis use biological, chemical or radiological weapons on our troops. I offered this to allow a public appreciation of the link (my being a civilian health authority) between Iraq and the danger of bioterrorism against the USA civilian population.
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2003-04-05 00:00
Anthony S. Fauci
April 5-9, 2003 - Incredibly busy. I have testified at >6 Congressional Hearings over the past few days on SARS, Appropriations, AIDS, Biodefense, etc. SARS is spreading. Have been on many network TV shows discussing SARS - CNN (several different shows), Good Morning America, News Hour, CNBC, etc. Iraq is falling; Bagdad occupied by US troops.
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April 10, 2003 - Wonderful day. Went with Chris ( my father, Denise and Jack Scorce were also there) to Ellis Island to receive the Ellis Island Family Heritage Award. Other awardees included Yogi Berra, Bob Hope, Cicely Tyson, Abie Abraham (hero of the Bataan Death March). It was a wonderful ceremony with a fantastic video of my history including the ship's manifest with my grandfather Antonio Fauci's name.
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April 11 - 18, 2003 - Iraq war over as troops occupy essentially all of Iraq. Saddam missing as is most of Iraqi leadership. Much attention now focusing on SARS. Cases now at 3400 with 175 deaths. Much media interest. For example, on April 17 alone I appeared on Channel 5 News, Diane Rehm Show, Charley Rose, CNN's Aaron Brown, and CNN International in addition to several print media.
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April 19, 2003 - Just an unrelated historical note to put all of this in perspective. My daughters are doing marvelously well in school and sports. All 3 are virtual straight As (an occasional A-). Megan and Ali excel in gym and Jenny is doing extremely well in multiple varsity sports. She clearly is the best varsity diver at NCS. She is on the first ill . Heis team varsity for cross-country and just this year (junior year) has taken up crew. She loves it and is a starter on the varsity 4 person lightweight boat. Thus far, they are 3 for 3 in meets; I saw a meet at the Georgetown Harbor today.
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April 20-28, 2003 - War is essentially over. Still no weapons of mass desctruction. Still doing an incredible amount of press. Did This Week with George Stephanopoulos on Sunday, 27th April.