A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it
answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.
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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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2013-04-29 00:00
Anthony S. Fauci
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.
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May 1, 2013 - Attended the "Heroes of Military Medicine Awards at the Mellon Auditorium on 13th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W. I was present because Lt. Col. Nelson Michael (my old friend) was receiving one of the awards and I had been part of the video that was shown at the event that honored him. Nice affair. Inspiring keynote address by Admiral William H. McRaven, Commander of United States Special Operations Command (the group - Seal Team 6 that got Osama bin Laden). Other awardees besides Nelson were USAF Lt. Col. Raymond Fang - Trauma surgeon with multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He spoke by video since he is currently deployed in Afghanistan. Also Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Darrel L. Enos - 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion who received it posthumously - killed in action. Entire evening very moving. Special awards to Marine Staff Sergeant Johnny Joseph (Joey) Jones who got his legs blown off while trying to dismantle and IED in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. I was in tears after his speech. Also talks by Gen. Jack Keane (USA- retired), Gen. James Amos (USMC). Special Award to Gen Joseph F. Dunford (USMC), Commander of Forces in Afghanistan who spoke in video from Afghanistan. General Amos introduced him. Gen. James Peake, Former US Army Surgeon General and currently Sec. of Department of Veteran Affairs received a special award. He fought as a combat platoon leader in Viet Nam and was highly decorated with Silver Star, Bronze Star with V device and Purple Heart. After war, went to Cornell Medical School, became a cardiac surgeon - quite a guy. I have known him for years. Mistress of Ceremonies was Jennifer Griffin of FOX News Channel. When she called out "notables" in the audience, she mentioned my name. I was embarrassed to be called out together with General McRaven, Amos, Peake and others. The evening made me proud to be an American.
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May 6, 2013 - H7N9 still smoldering, but with the closing of some of the open bird markets in China, the pace of new cases has slowed. 130 cases and 31 deaths total. HHS is now allowing me to do press on this without hassle. Francis Collins meeting with Bill Corr has apparently worked (see above). Went to cocktail reception/book signing for Paul Farmer's new book - "To Repair the World" at home of Greg and Derry Craig on 3155 Highland Place, N.W.; also cosponsored by Tim Broas. Paul, as usual, was very generous in his remarks about my accomplishments in being the architect of PEPFAR and the influence that I had on his career. Several notables there including Kathleen Matthews and Paul Wolfowitz. Had good conversation with Paul about how we worked together when he was Deputy Secretary of Defense. Paul gave 2 signed books to me - one for Chris and me and one for Jenny. Also, I spoke with Paul about getting one of his acolytes to come work for me as my assistant at NIAID. (Turns out I contacted one Hillary Marston who will be joining me in August - see below))
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May 7, 2013 - Went to the Capitol with Francis Collins to meet with the House Majority Whip - Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Kevin is very interested in the problem of Valley Fever (Coccicioidomycosis) in his district of Bakersfield. We discussed having a workshop and partnering with CDC in doing clinical trials of new drugs such as Nippo Z and developing a vaccine. Good idea to cultivate relationship with McCarthy, given his position. yrona
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May 8, 2013 - Appeared on NPR Morning Edition radio with Richard Knox regarding H7N9 flu. Also, gave Opening Keynote Address at the Annual Meeting of the HPTN/IMPAACT Networks held at Marriott Wardman Hotel on Calvert Street, N.W. Myron (Mike) Cohen presented me with a basketball signed to me from Roy Williams, head coach at UNC. Mike gave it to me to "neutralize" the signed basketball that I received years ago from Duke Head Coach Mike K.