A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it
answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.
-
May 15, 2020 - Global - 4,200,000/3295,000; USA - 1,410,000/86,000 ,300,000/298,000 USA846 IMPORTANT DAY AT WHITE HOUSE: Wen to White House as usual, but today was a Rose garden ceremony announcing the "Operation Warp Speed", which is the interagency plan to develop a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year and have 100 million doses by November and 300 million by Jan. 2021. This is the plan that we have been working on for some time at NIAID. In addition, the occasion was to introduce Moncef Slaoui as the "Czar" for the project and General Gus Perna as the COO or logistic person for the supply of vaccine doses. Important event was my meeting with the POTUS in the context of our ongoing "feud". We (those who would be on the stage with him in the Rose Garden - Sec. Azar and Sec, Mark Esper (DoD), General Mark Milley (Chair, Joint Chiefs); Gen. Gus Perna, Francis Collins, Deb Birx) were all in the Oval waiting for the POTUS. We all had masks on. The POTUS walked in from the Inner Office and immediately caught my eye and opend up his arms. He gently pulled my into the outer office where the TV was on giving the economic forecast and said. "Tony, you are losing me trillions of fucking dollars." Then he said something interesting. Her said: "Tony, you and I are OK. There is no problem between us We are similar is some respects. You are playing me and I am playing you. I know you better than you think and I respect you and like you. You need to do your thing and I need to do mine; as long as you understand tht I need to keep this country alive." Then as we were ready to go out, he looked at all of us and said: "Do we really need to have those masks on. It sends the wrong signal". I told him that we should keep them on since it would be an unforced error to take them off. The press would kill us. His response was "Who gives a shit about the press; they will try to kill us no matter what we do." Francis and Deb looked to me and I said: "Mr. President, I will not remove the mask. I must wear it." He had a look of exasperation on his face and said: "OK, if you insist" (Francis and Deb sighed a sigh of relief as it was clear that Deb was willing to romove the mask; Francis was with me). However, he turned to the generals and Azar and Esper and said: "You guys, take you masks off, you hear me?". They dutifully did and we all walked out to theRose Garden. After the ceremony when we came back to the Oval and were about to disperse, he came over to me and said: "Tony, we are good, right?" I said: "We are good Mr. President". May 16,2020 (Saturday) - Global - 4,300,000/298,000 USA - 1,430,000/87,000 Front page of Washington Post headlines: "Trump's vaccine timeline doubted". Quotes by good people like Paul Offit and Peter Hotez doubting the feasibility of the announcement yesterday. This is an example of the problem with the new COMMS people in the WH (Kayleigh et al) absolutely shutting me down regarding approvals for the press. I could have easily explained the plan and put it into context. I ewxplained this to Marc Short on the phone this AM. He said that he and the VP are just as frustrated with the situation. He thinks things will get a little better as the new COMMS team gets better organized. I am not so sure of that. Peter Reiss of the Netherlands sent me a clip showing that I was the "Man of the Week" of the leading Dutch newspapers: Tony, As I was reading through one of our Saturday national newspapers, I suddenly found myself looking at this cartoon of yours, and thought I'ld share: https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/05/16/man-van-de-week-anthony-fauci-a3999906 The artist Sigried Woldhek, since the 70's, every week draws a picture of a man or woman who is in the news. USA -- 1,460,000/89,000 The accompanying text reads: Who Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Why Fauci, worldfamous expert in the field of infectious diseases and advisor to all US presidents since Ronal Reagan, steadfast continues to provide scientific explanation and advice about the coronavirus and the possible consequences of measures taken and still to be the taken. But president Trump is less and less pleased with that. He called some of Fauci's remarks during the Senate hearing unacceptable, and the pitbulls from Fox News subsequently attacked Fauci full force. How Watercolour painting. We're living through unprecedented times as a medical and public health community, but I can only imagine how you and your family must be experiencing these times. You are doing an incredible job, we all stand with you, and I personally send you warm regards, Peter Article in New York Times today by Aexalander Burns, Maggie haberman, Jonathan Martin and Nick Corasaniti - "A President Riles a Nation Amid a Crisis" mentions that Trump is hurting himself by attacking attacking everyone in sight, trashing Obama and "distancing himself from a highy poplar Dr. Anthony Fauci" .............................................................................................. May 17. 2020 (Sunday) Global - 4,400,000/302,000; USA - 1,460,000/89,000 Continued blocking me from appearing on any press . Also, doing this somewhat for Birx. Deb getting slammed by many in press as caving in to POTUS and not sticking up for her principles. ,500,000/90,000 Sunday shows were all about opening up the economy with Tom Frieden, Tom Ingelsby, Scott Gottlieb giving their version and mostly agreeing with me. Navarro still spewing his stuff. What is evolving is that states that are opening thus far are not seeing an increase in cases. In fact, some are seeing decreases. We need another couple of weeks to se what is happening. Interesting that they might be paying attention more to mask use and social distancing as they open. This is true EXECPT for the young people who are going to the bars (Milwaukee) and beaches (South Carolina, Georgia, Florida). There are 2 patterns: Acute outbreaks in nursing homes (1/3 of all dealth are in nursing homes), prisons, and meat packing plants, and industries where workers are in dormitory-like quarters. This is easily recognizable and quickly contained. Then there is the more subtle community spread that gradually accelerates and requires contact tracing. It is conceivable that we will progress in the next weeks with little to modest community spread and many acute outbreaks as described accounting for the spikes that we are seeing and will see. ~6:00 PM received a call from Jared Kushner. He wanted to feel me out about a few things. Primarily he wanted to get my take on Operation Warp Speed. He wanted my perspective on the structure, what it meant, my take on Moncef Slaoui. He did not fully realize and it was good that I explained to him that the development of the COVID-19 vaccine(s), i.e. the science and implementation of trials is WHAT I DO. I asked him to make sure that when new people come in and new structures are formed that we do not "reboot" and re-invent the wheel. We are well into the process and I just do not want any person or organization or structure get in my way. My team is the best that there is. I believe he got it. He wanted to know how the military fits into this. It was clear during the conversation that he is the link to the POTUS and his skepticism about HHS and Azar came through. Nowhere was there mention of the VP, which aligns with what I am witnessing, i.e. the dichotomy between Jared and the POTUS versus OVP. He spoke of the role of the military in logistics and supply. I emphasized that I do not do that; I develop vaccines and do clinical trials. I punt to others to produce and distribute. Also, it is clear that he wants to phase out the Task Force and move on the more of the various agencies of government doing their thing. He will keep Deb Birx, who clearly is in his favor. It seems to me that there is a lot of "palace intrigue" going on or about to go on. We shall see.
-
May 18, 2020 - Global - 4,500,000/308,000; USA - 1,500,000/90,000 ,500,000/9 1,000 The Moderna/VRC data on the high levels of neutralizing Abs in the two doses (25 microgram and 100 microgram) given in phase 1 trial are being released today by Moderna. I have been asked by Jim Sciutto of CNN to discuss this on his show and have requests from NY Times (Denise Grady), WSJ, and STAT to comment. We are getting the same stonewall from WH COMMS. They do not answer our requests for clearance. This in the background of not allowing me out in the press for the past 2 weeks under any circumstances. Jim Sciutto called the WH Comms and they told him no and Jim wrote back to me by text message: "Between us, someone in WH told us they're aware you're frustrated but "don't care". I called up Marc Short and explained to him. Good guy that he is, he is going to look into it. Katie Miller, whom I have been following every day for her COVID19 is feeling better and I mentioned it to her also. She will be back soon. Got call to rush down to White House by Olivia Troye. They now want me at the Governors teleconference run by POTUS in Sit Room with First Lady Melania. POTUS very friendly and usual warm to me in the room. Most states are starting to open us and POTUS cheering them on He calls upon me to explain to Governors theModerna announcement. Govenors are all gushing over the POTUS and telling him what a fabulous job he is doing. He made the call go for almost 2 hours since he lover the adoration. Marc Short writes me a text saying that since the POTUS was so friendly with me, maybe now the Comms thing will get straightened out. I doubt it. I am thinking of confronting Kayleigh and/or bringing it up with Marc Meadows.
-
May 19, 2020 - Global - 4,600,000/312,000; USA - 1,500,000/91,000 Despite my being kept out of the press by the Whit House COMMS people, the media blitz about me continues strong, as well as the gimmick stuff like underwear (bikini) with either my name on the front or Govs. Cuomo or Newsom (D-CA). Signs in DC: https://bit.ly/36dKb0f I decided to take the bull by the horns and address this muzzling of me and importantly, the fact that the requests that we are sending down for clearance are just being ignored. Instead of going to Mark Meadows and jumping over the head of Kayleigh McEnany, I decided to go straight to Kayleigh. It worked out beautifully. I described it in an e-m,ail that I sent to Courtney and Patty tonight after the call with Kayleigh and Alyssa Farah: Courtney/Patty: Important breakthrough! Spoke tonight with Kayleigh McEnany and had good conversation. Although she is copied on all the e-mails, she rarely reads them. I ,530,000/92,000 2d Diane explained the problem of lack of any response to our inquiries. I believe it is now fixed. First, she said that all our correspondences to them should include copies to Lyndee Rose at Lyndee.D.Rose@who.eop.gov . The she connected me with Alissa Farah and with that everything got settled and fixed. I had a long conversation with Alyssa. Her cell phone # is (202) 809-6071. I explained that my two contacts are Courtney and Patty. She admitted that they were holding me back , but she feels that this has gotten out of hand. She was terrific on the phone. We made a deal. New Rules: For all print press like the 3 requests from NY Times, WSJ and STAT regarding the Moderna data, we DO NOT NEED clearance. We can respond on the record and we merely need to let her know what we are doing and keep her in the loop. For podcasts and talks to organizations, i.e. Council on Foreign Relations, we DO NOT NEED clearance. We merely need to inform them as an FYI. For major TV hits, we need clearance, but send directly to Alyssa and Lyndee. She said she will start clearing our TV requests tomorrow depending on what the topic is. She admitted, they definitely should have cleared the requests regarding Moderna. She says that she trusts that I know what I am doing and can handle anything, and will start clearing my TV requests, but said that with certain really sensitive subjects like the bleach issue, they would rather not have me out there. It was a great conversation and I believe that we have now fixed the problem. We can discuss more tomorrow. Thanks, Tony
-
May 20, 2020 - Global - 4,700,000/317,000; USA - 1,530,000/92,000 The Fauci craze continues. Some select examples: Brooklyn Artist Jeremy Penn's Dr. Anthony Fauci Portrait Nets $15K For Charity. Page Six (5/19, Mohr, 1.6M) reports, "Brooklyn artist Jeremy Penn, who has painted Diane von Furstenberg, Kate Moss, John Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld, sold a portrait of" Anthony Fauci for $15,000. Penn "s donating all proceeds from the Fauci piece to charities True Hero Fund and No Kid Hungry." Already starting to get clearances for press appearances. Alyssa is keeing her word. On Conference call with the OWS group, it is clear that Jared Kushner is inverting himself in the process of decisions about vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics that disturbs me. Also, I am concerned that Jared said that after 1 hour and 45 minutes of I have a bad feeling about I,600,000/94,000 7A wo2ee 1 SHOULD'VE Wi SPECIALIZED IN PSYCHIATRY... {#8} 179 Photos VIEW FULL GALLERY "i be https://people.com/movies/julia-roberts854 discussion, Jared said that we need to run this by Deb Birx. I have a bad feeling about this. Had nice teleconference with the advisory board to Mayor Bowser in helping her to open up DC. Old friends Susan Rice and Mike Chertoff on on the board. They were very appreciative.
-
2020-05-21 00:00
Anthony S. Fauci
May 21, 2020 - Global 234,100 - new 24,200; deaths 9800 Italy 3,400 deaths, now surpassed China USA - 19,300; new 5300; deaths 272 (73 new) At task force meeting I stressed the problem about the PPEs being diverting to testing as opposed to HCWs. I also emphasized this strongly at the subsequent press conference. Again, we met with POTUS after the TF meeting and in preparation for the presser. Very good press conference. Big front page article abut me appeared in the Washington Post. Very flattering. The situation with my national and international fame is explosive and really unimaginable. It is not hyoperbole to say that today I am the most famous and talked about person in the country and one of the most recognizable peson in the world. Countless profiles on me in multiple media. I cannot even read all the things that are written abuyt me since I am so busy....seriously. POTUS seems to be enamored of me even though I am taking the spotlight away from him. We are developing a very unique and interesting relationship. The entire secret service corps is coming over to me and chatting. They let me into the first gate without even checking ID. Everyone is worried about my health and welfare, probably because it is all over the place that I am almost 80 years old. PRESS: WH press conference picked up by many outlets. Many print profiles and features on me. Ridiculous - too numeous to count!
-
May 21, 2020 - Global - 4,800,000/320,000; USA - 1,600,000/94,000 Will start doing print interviews in earnest today starting with Denise Grady and Noah Weiland of NY Times. Also, spoke with Sanjay Gupta explaining the Moderna data. Interesting that despitr Alyssa's promise, they still have not cleared me for Jim Sciutto. However, I was cleared to do the CNN Town Hall. Cartoon in USA Today: https://bit.ly/3bQDXVt My instgram interview with Julia Roberts: https://people.com/movies/julia-robertscute-reaction-speaking-dr-anthony-fauci/ Did a Zoom interview and town hall under Boomberg/Harvard moderated by Mayor Michael Boomberg with 190 Mayors of various cities throughout the country PRESS: CNN Town Hall with Anderson Cooper and Sanjay Gupta ,600,000/95,000 I,600,000/96,000
-
May 22, 2020 - Global -4,900,000/325,000; USA - 1,600,000/95,000 Turmoil in OWS - Peter Marks drops out. Upset with how he is being treated with the arrival of Moncef. Moncef has met with pharma companies involved in the harmonized protocols and as expected they expressed doubt about the possibility that we (NIAID/USG) could pull the trials off. Deep down, they want the money and they want to do it on their own. I will set up teleconference next week with Francis, me, Larry Corey, John maslcola, Cliff and the CEIO's of the companies tomstraighten this out. Trump getting out of control in pushing to open up the country and get the economy back before election day. He is desparate. This is all about re-election. PRESS: NPR Morning Edition; Nextstar Interview with Mike Saag; CNBC with Meg Tirrell;
-
MAY 22, 2020 ALEX WONG / BRIAN SMIALOWSKI / GETTY / THE ATLANTIC
-
May 23, 2020 - Global 292,000/12,800; new cases - 26,000; USA 33,300/391; new cases 6800. Cases in USA went up overnight by 20%. Bad news. Got copy of proposed POTUS press conference speech for this afternoon. I objected sharply to the ststament that the ORACLE system (see above) will be able to follow every coronavirus patient in the country starting in 2 days (Wed). This is logistically impossible and I surely will clash with WH people, particularly Mark Meadows. He is a good guy, but wedded to this. They are pushing to get HC out and we really need to do it under and IND and a protocol. Much tension between me (also Steve Hahn, Cliff Lane) and the White House (Meadows et al) Apparently the WH is very upset that I am being profiled and it looks like I am putting down the POTUS and becoming a star that outshines him. The press is playing into this as is the tweet storm. Very stressful!! Had improatnt and good meeting with Marc Short (VP- COS) and explained that 3 of the 5 profiles of me were without even interviewing me. The others started as inteviews and wound up as Profiles (Science - Jon Cohen, The New York Times - Maureen Dowd). The profiles always pit me (the good guy) against the POTUS (the bad guy). I explained to Mardc that I have no desire to conflict with, embarrass or show up the POTUS. He completely understood the situation that I was in and was very sympathetic. I told him that I would not do anymore profiles. Very important meeting in the Oval Office with the POTUS, Deb Birx, Jared Kushner, Mark Meadows, the VP and Marc Short about the timing of liftinbg the mitigation soaring in NYC. guidelines and telling people to come back to work since if we go much longer, the economy will definitely will tank and more damage to health might occur not to mention civil violence. He wnted to lift everything by Easter Sunday (April 12). I pushed back heavily saying we need to model out how to do this in segments and not just declare "Opening Day". POTUS at press conference has essentially said he is going to open up the country. Did not say when, but hinted it was a few weeks at most. Getting calls at home from many people wanting tomknow what I think. I am nit anwering most. Spoke with Gov. Cuomo who is concerned about me and the position I am in. Also, spoke with Chris Cuomo who feels the same. Amazing firestorm about me on TV tonight with Chris Cuomo, Don Lemon and others, wanting to know why I was not at the presser. Chris is being wonderful about saying that the press should not use Fauci as a foil against the POTUS. We need Fauci and we are putting him in a terrible position by pitting him against the POTUS. PRESS: Several print profiles; Mentioned all night on TV (see above)