A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it
answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.
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April 16, 2013 -- Met with Francis in my weekly 1-on-1 and mentioned that the situation with HHS and their muzzling me from the press is unacceptable and he offered to talk with HHS people. He agrees with me. Harold Varmus tells me that he does not even ask permission to do press. He just does it and then informs HHS. He says: "If they do not like it, they can fire me". I believe that if Francis's efforts fail, I will start doing that. Latest count of H7N9 in China today is 78 cases and 16 deaths.
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April 17, 2013 - Went to Princeton to deliver the Gilbert Omenn Lecture at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Spoke on "Ending the HIV/AIDS Pandemic: From Scientific Advances to Public Health Implementation". Hosted by Cecilia (Ceci) Rouse formerly on the economic team in the Clinton and Obama White House.
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April 19, 2013 - Terrorists identified by surveillance cameras. Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Two Muslim brothers born in Chechnya. Older one recently spent about 6 months in Chechnya, likely getting trained in terrorism. Most intensive manhunt in US history around Boston Area. Entire city of Boston shut-down. Wild car chases and gun battles. Terrorist murder campus policeman at MIT and seriously wound another policeman. Tamerlan shot dead; Dzhokhar escapes, seriously wounded, ultimately captured in Watertown MA.
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April 21, 2013 - Informed by Francis Collins that he spoke with Bill Corr (Deputy HHS Secretary) about the issue of my being muzzled, almost certainly because Tom Frieden and the CDC want the spotlight on the H7N9 story. Corr agrees with Francis that I should always be allowed to speak to Press (Print/TV/Radio) when they directly ask for me. Let us see how this turns out. Also, it is clear now that I have joined the 2x/week conference calls with HHS that CDC really wants to be in control even though I believe they are missing important stuff. For example, they are claiming that they cannot detect the virus in chickens, likely because the PCR assay is specific, but not sensitive. I just found out from the CEIRS people (including Mike Osterholm) that the Chinese are looking in the wrong place. The cloacal swabs are negative, but there are tons of virus in the trachea swabs. Case now well over 100 and counting. The Chinese need to start massive culling of chicken or the virus might adapt itself to humans after many dead-end jumps.
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2013-04-22 00:00
Anthony S. Fauci
April 22, 2013 - Cases of H7N9 continue to accumulate. First case in Taiwan. HHS is now clearing me for press (see above); however, there have not been any requests from major network and so still not clear what will happen. I have decided without question to defy them if they try to muzzle me, which I do not believe they will now that Francis has spoken with Bill Corr; but we shall see. Had dinner with Bob Gallo tonight and discussed the upcoming Paris meeting sponsored by the Pasteur institute (Francois Barre-Sinoussi) to celebrate 30th Anniversary of discovery of HIV by the French. Bob is scheduled to give an after dinner speech. I stressed that he should behave and not re-hash old issues. Also, Bob told me that he and Joe O'Neill are writing a book about the history of AIDS and they want to devote a chapter to me. This is nice, but now it is clear that I must write my book and do it soon. Will get advice from David Willman (L.A. Times) and Rick Atkinson (author of World War II books) - both Pulitzer Prize winners on how to proceed. Also, will contact Ari Emanuel's Book person. > 126 cases and 24
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April 25, 2013 - Went to reception at the home of Sen. Jay and Sharon Rockefeller to celebrate 10 years of service and retirement of Amy Lawson as CEO of DC Prep (where Jenny taught). Amazing home - 2121 Park Road, N.W. Had chance to chat with the Senator about NIH.
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April 26, 2013 - Had important discussion with Eric Goosy by phone about whether we (NIH and PEPFAR) should fund the Africa START study proposed by Wafaa El Sadr and Kevin DeCock. Eric is skeptical about doing this since he feels that very soon many in Africa will be starting therapy at below 500 CD4+ T cells and the study may not be able to be done.
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April 27, 2013 - Went with Chris to White House Correspondence Garden Brunch at Beall-Washington House on 2920 R Street, N.W. Tammy Haddad as usual MC'd it. Sponsored by CURE Epilepsy and the Miss America Foundation. Great party. Fantastic weather - bright sun and 70 degrees. Usual cast of celebrities - political, media and Hollywood. Ran into old friends David Axelrod, Sharon Stone, Nora O'Donnell, Charlie Rose, Gordon Peterson. Discussed NIH budget with Eric Cantor. Had most fun meeting and taking picture with Navid Negahban who played the archterrorist Abu Nazir on "Homeland" (Showtime). We told him how much we admired his work. He sort of recognized me but not quite. After a few minutes, he came over to me and said how impressed he was about how many lives I have saved and as he was saying it, he choked up. He clearly had asked someone who I was. Seems like a fine human being.
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April 29, 2013 - Went to dinner at Matisse Restaurant on Wisconsin Avenue and Fessenden Avenue, N.W. I took out Richard (Rick) Atkinson to dinner to get his advice on writing my book (autobiography). He was extremely helpful on how to approach this and gave me several names of agents, editors, historians, etc. he encouraged me to "shop around" for the best people. He confirmed what Edwin Grosvner and Ari Emanuel said that I clearly have a NY Times bestseller and possibly Pulitzer Prize autobiography in me and encouraged me strongly to pursue this. I am very excited (almost agitated) about doing this. I have a worrisome feeling that the USG will not allow me to do this. Even though it is MY autobiography, most of it relates to my government service. I will probe this and see what happens. Parenthetically, the Washington Nationals, who are supposed to win the World Series this year on the basis of pure talent have gotten off to a bad start. The only people that are doing great thus far are Bruce Harper and Jordan Zimmerman. ***H7N9 continues to occur in China from chickens to human → 126 cases and 24 deaths. Still confined to China. Need to keep an eye on this.