A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it
answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.
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March 29, 2020 "Chief Scientist Draw Venom From the Right" by Davey Alba and Sheera Frankel. Also, article in NY Times on "Testing Blunders...." By Michael Shear et al. GOOD ARTICLE: March 29, 2020 article by Jenny Jarvie AIDS crisis shaped Anthony Fauci, disease expert at front lines of coronavirus pandemic Los Angeles Times You're making me feel guilty," President George W. Bush said in 2008 when he awarded Fauci, the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy ... Flag as irrelevant nth 2w admissions in Great areticle in WSJ by Ben Cohen - March 29, 2020: WSJ: Dr. Fauci Was a Basketball Captain. Now He's America's Point Guard. https://on.wsj.com/33TOug3 PRESS: CNN State of the Union with Jake Tapper; big exposure at Rose Garden press Conference after announcing the 30 day extension of guidelines for mitigation.
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Mar. 30, 2020 - Cses still soaring. Spent another entire day at the WH. Met with the POTUS and had Press conference in Rose Garden. Today most attention o CEOs and companies coming to indicte that they would help in any way. Discussion at theTF meeting about Ad Bax (I brought it up) and the issue of aerosol merely by speaking and whether we should now seriously think about recommending that everyone wear a mask. More to come. Also, I am continuing to push that we onnect the dots about how we are going to handle the inevitable flares that we will soon see in other smaller cities. There needfs to be the capasbility of testing, identification, isolations and contact tracing. No one seems to be in charge. CDC is their usual lack of stepping up. I love Bob Redfield, but he relly is not the right perdon for this job and this time. Joe Grogan trying to get things organized in this regard. PRESS: ABC Good Morning America with George Stephanopoulos; CNN New Day; Rose Garden Press Conference
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Mar. 31, 2020 - Perhaps some early indication of leveling of new admissions in NYC. Careful. Complete craziness with this Fauci cult hero stuff. See below in Washington Post today: Fauci socks, Fauci doughnuts, Fauci fan art: The coronavirus expert attracts a cult following r day, (0 ship ree CNN. "We didn't know Doughnuts bearing the likeness of Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, rest on a plate at Donuts Delite in Rochester, N.Y., on March 25. (Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat & Chronicle/AP) By Antonia Noori Farzan
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March 31, 2020 at 5:15 a.m. EDT Early last week, Nick Semeraro wanted to find a way to honor Anthony S. Fauci. As the owner of a small doughnut shop in Rochester, N.Y., he had been closely tracking the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic. And night after night, he'd been impressed by how Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, approached the crisis in a calm, knowledgeable manner. So, as a tribute, Semeraro put the renowned immunologist's face on a doughnut. Expecting to sell a few hundred, he was shocked when the store sold out day after day, with thousands flying off the shelves. Donuts Delite was besieged with requests to ship the buttercream-frosted creations all over the country, and one Fauci fan drove three hours just to pick up a dozen. Soon, bakeries in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania followed suit, using edible paper to decorate pastries with Fauci's likeness. "We had no idea it was going to blow up this big," Semeraro told CNN. "We didn't know everyone else felt the same way we did." While Fauci was already a respected scientist before the outbreak, his appearances during White House press briefings have made him a household name and an unlikely celebrity. With his straightforward demeanor and willingness to contradict President Trump, he's begun to develop the same kind of cult following as Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and former special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who inspired countless "Plank like RBG" tank tops and a bizarre illustrated children's book, respectively. Even as whole swaths of the global economy collapse, the pandemic has created a robust cottage industry of Fauci-themed merchandise, including bottle openers, magnets and mugs. On Etsy, you can buy "Honk for Dr. Fauci" bumper stickers, prayer candles depicting "St. Fauci" and socks printed with Fauci's face. Graphic T-shirts bear slogans such as "I Need a Hero" and "In Dr. Fauci We Trust." yroat. ting If so inclined, you can even decorate your home with an "I Heart Dr. Fauci" throw pillow, or purchase a replica of Fauci's jersey from the time he captained the basketball team at Manhattan's Regis High School. Lingua Franca, which sells cashmere sweaters embroidered with resistance-friendly slogans for $380 and up, recently began taking orders for an army-green "Dr. Fauci Fan Club" knit. In honor of Fauci's Italian heritage, a clam bar in Long Island named a linguine dish after him this week. (Available for pickup only, "the linguine with white clam sauce shares origins with Fauci, as the sauce itself was invented in the Fauci Family's native Sciacca, Italy," the restaurant claimed in a statement.) As countless Americans remain glued to the news while trying to stay indoors, a robust Fauci fandom has flourished online. On Facebook, the "Dr. Anthony S. Fauci Fan Club" has over 32,000 members. Thousands more congregate in groups with names such as "Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Man, the Myth, the Legend," "Dr. Fauci Speaks, We Listen" and "Dr. Fauci Memes for Social Distance Teens." An unassuming 79-year-old public servant who has advised six presidents, Fauci has become a "reliable constant in a time of uncertainty," The Washington Post's Ellen McCarthy and Ben Terris reported. But his admirers -- and there are a lot of them -- worry that it's only a matter of time before he's sidelined by Trump. When Fauci missed a White House news conference earlier this month, panic erupted on Twitter, along with speculation that he could be sick. There was palpable relief when he resumed his regular position at the podium the following day and appeared to hide some exasperation as Trump referenced "the deep state." Fauci later explained that he had simply been trying to dislodge a lozenge from his throat. But the much-analyzed "Fauci facepalm" had already become a meme, deployed by liberal members of what's known as the resistance. Fauci's newfound fame can be partially attributed to his willingness to engage with all forms of media -- in recent weeks, he's gone on a Barstool Sports podcast, chatted with basketball star Steph Curry on Instagram Live as Barack Obama listened in, and appeared on "The Daily Show With Trevor Noah." But it also undoubtedly helps that his fans tend to take social distancing seriously and consequently have ample spare time to produce fan art or perform songs written (or modified) in his honor. On social media, Fauci's virtual fan clubs peruse old photos of the infectious disease expert in search of "comfy turtleneck vibes," stitch his face on embroidery hoops and discuss erecting statues as tribute. They frost his name on cookies and joke about constructing shrines in his honor. Prominent activists and entertainers confess to wanting to marry him, or have him tuck them into bed. Fauci has remained characteristically modest about his new status as a cult figure. "Well, that's very nice," he responded when McCarthy and Terris mentioned that people all over the country were praying for him. Of course, that means that his fan base has only continued to grow. "I never met a guy that, worldwide, he is so loved," Semeraro, the Rochester doughnut shop owner, told CNN. "And a month ago, we never knew his first and last name." Disclaimer: Any third-party material in this email has been shared for internal use under fair use provisions of U.S. copyright law, without further verification of its accuracy/veracity. It does not necessarily represent my views nor those of NIAID, NIH, HHS, or the U.S. government. Chris Cuomo has COVID-19. Big issue today is whether w should be recommending masks for everyone. We probably were too strong in saying masks do not work. I mentioned this on CNN (Sciutto) this AM. Still local issues regarding availability of ventilators and PPE and tests. TF discussions still make it seems like they are out there, I I have no confidence that they are really getting to the people who need them. Important phone call tonight organized by David Barr with many ICU and other docs throughout the country. They calim that PPE is running out, vents are needed and teting that takes several days to get results are essentially useless to them. I promisedto bring their concerns to the TF. Trump continues to become more and more enamored of me. Joe Grogan organizing small group of me, Deb. Redfield, Hahn, Giroir to solve practical issues. I am concerned that we are not really connecting the dots from TF to the trenches. Is Giroir really up to this. Means well. I also have doubts about Pete and FEMA We shocked the public when Deb and I mentioned at the Press Conference that there could be 100,00- to 240,000 deaths in the USA even with maximal mitigation. I explained that this is the "model", but we can definitely get the deaths down below that since it is the data that always trumps the model PRESS: CNN Newsroom with Jim Sciutto; White House Press conference. 3700. Global -- anjay Gupta -- personal, but very informative
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2020-04-01 00:00
Anthony S. Fauci
April 1, 2020 - Cases still going up. USA - 188,000/3700. Global - 751000/36400 NYC- 43100/1100 Some very early signs in NYC that the number of "new cases' in starting the stabilize. However, the deaths always lag and these will continue to increase over the next week or two. Did major briefing of the GOP House leadership organized by Liz Cheney and Kevin McCarthy Continued crazy stuff: Petition to name me "Sexiest Man Alive"; videos games named after me; Fauci Bobblehead; dishes in redstaurants named after me, and on and on. Had good conversation with Bill Gates tonight who wants the BMGF to partner with me (NIAID) and BARDA in the advanced development and scaleup of vaccines, therapeutics. Also, wanted to discuss a strategy for opening up the country after the wave subsides. Really very fine podcast with Sanjay Gupta - personal, but very informative Washington Post for tomorrow: Media Perspective Dr. Fauci symbolizes everything about the Trump-era media climate 7C -- 47400/1400 Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, attends a White House briefing. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) By Margaret Sullivan Media columnist Press is over the top. My picture and stories about me are in the national news virtually every day. Today and yesterday and tomorrow was flooded with stories. Too much; impossible to even read all of the stories PRESS: Fox Radio NYC - Rosanne Scotto; CBS Norah O'Donnell taped for tonight; NY Times Daily Podcast; White House Press conference
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Apr 1, 2020 - Mar 6, 202' Daily Tests Mar 6: 1,409,138 7-Day Avg: 1,437,872 325,000 Daily Cases Mar 6: 59,620 7-Day Avg: 59,631 Mar 6: 41,401 7-Day Avg: 44,865 Currently Hospitalized Daily Deaths Mar 6: 1,674 7-Day Avg: 1,752 4,500 -_ 130,000 2.2M 300,000 2.1M 4,000 2.0M 275,000 20,000 1.9M 110,000 1.8M 250,000 3,500 1.7M 100,000 1.6M 225,000 4 5M 90,000 3,000 . 200,000 1.4M 80,000 1.3M 175,000 2,500 1.2M 70,000 1.1M 150,000 1.0M 60,000 2,000 roe 125,000 50,000 ' 1,500 0.7M 100,000 40,000 0.6M 0.5M 76,000 30,000 1,000 oe 50,000 20,000 0.3M , 0.2M 25,000 10,000 0.1M ' . . Apri Jul 1 Oct 1 Jan1 Apri = Jul1 Oct 1 Jan1 Apri Jul Oct 1 Jan1 Apr1 Jul 1 Oct 1 Jan1 PRESS: Black News Channel Morning Show (TV); Time video regarding Sesame Street; Washington Post interview regarding vaccine hesitancy (Online TV); 2 PSA with Gloria Estaban and Carolina Sandoval; White House press conference;
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April 2, 2020 - USA - 215500/4600; NYC - 47400/1400 45 minutes similar to House briefing Global - 824000/41000; Washington Post now reporting that I have a security detail (George Adams). Also, DC police now guarding my house 24 hrs/day. Gave briefing to the GOP Senators for 45 minutes similar to House briefing yesterday. Terrific Sirius XM - Coach K podcast - wonderful person who was so generous and complimentary in his comments to me. He called me "the point guard for the world" Spoke with Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey who wanted to run by me his approach to COVID and see if I thought that he was doing all the right things. He was. He is frustrated that some people still do not adhere to Guidelines even though he is pushing hard and slappiung penalties on people. PRESS: CBS This Morning; NBC Today Show with Savannah Guthrie; CNNTown hall with Sanjay Gupta and Anderson Cooper;
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April 3, 2020 - Global - 879000/46000; USA 245000/5500; (real numbers are probably more; these are CDC numbers - global is 1,000,000/50,000) Deaths and cases still soaring. Meeting today virtually (Francis Collins leading) with the Public Private Partnership to address research and development for COVID-19. Mikael Dolstien (Pfizer); Paul Stoffels (J & J), etc. Intense media blitz on me continues. Mentioned by all Late Night TV Shows. Question of universal wearing of masks dominating conversation Press conference today: I was originally supposed to be sitting on the side for questions and at the last minute, they told me that I was not needed. This was not unreasonable since the presser was about masks and Jerome Adams had been pushing this and CDC released the guidelines about masks and so it made sense that I did not need to be there. I mentioned this to Jim Acosta (CNN) and he made a story that I was excluded from the prsser. This created a firestorm where CNN made it a story saying that I wa excluded since I had said last night 9CNN Townhall) and this AM (Fox and Friends) that all states should practice "stay at home', and the POTUS has refused to "mandate that". They painted it as an exclusion of Fauci since he disagreed with the POTUS, which was not the case. @FauciFan WELCOME TO WASHINGTON. I believe that the White House (mostly POTUS staff) are starting to get really pissed off at me. The press conference turned out to be a shit-storm since Jared Kushner got up and trie to explain things and the press killed him. Also, the POTUS said he would not wear a mask, which undermined what Jerome and Bob had just said. Glad that I was not there. The ridiculous attention to me continues; fan clubs, Swags, am constantly on TV; countless profiles of me. For example: TheThe Anthony Fauci Fan Club Twitter account wants you to know one thing: "If you don't have a crush on this man, do you even care about public health?" The account, which quickly skyrocketed to over 13,000 followers in just the past few days, was launched by three Maryland-based microbiologists who, at first, created a group chat to "gush over" Fauci in private. "We can't be the only ones who are feeling this way," one said of the esteemed immunologist. "Did I mention he's easy on the eyes?" said another. The microbiologists aren't alone. Over the last few weeks, Dr. Fauci stands have created Facebook fan clubs, TikTok videos, donuts, browser games and even prayer candles in celebration of the scientist leading the Trump administration's novel coronavirus response. A 79-year-old career scientist isn't usually the type of person the internet feverishly stans over. But under these extreme circumstances, Fauci has emerged as the comforting leader the internet, and the US, needs now more than ever. Anthony Fauci Fan Club@FauciFan if you don't have a crush on this man, do you even care about public health? " 1,718 2:48 PM - Mar 20, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 475 people are talking about this Fauci's calm and level-headed demeanor has become a soothing balm for many amid the COVID-19 pandemic. At this moment in time, Fauci is one of the only people we regularly see while glued to screens indoors. He is a figure of constant guidance and reassurance at a time when even the most basic parts of American life, like work, school, and family, have become inconsistent and decentralized over the internet. Mixed together, it's the perfect fodder for fandom. = "It is the moment to exercise and practice fandom," Abigail De Kosnik, director of the Berkeley Center for New Media and a fandom specialist, told The Verge. De Kosnik says fandom around Fauci is thriving right now because it's one of the only ways we can "connect to the outside world" and interact with strangers since we can't see anyone physically. "Fandom is what remains." For years, political figures -- like Fauci -- who have spoken truth to power in tumultuous times in history have become the ideal breeding ground for fandom. According to Know Your Meme, Ruth Bader Ginsburg's rise to internet celebrity stardom corresponded with the creation of a Tumblr blog entitled Notorious R.B.G., invoking the name of the famous hip-hop artist, The Notorious B.I.G. The blog launched in celebration of Ginsburg's lauded 2013 dissent in the Shelby County v. Holder case that struck down parts of the Voting Rights Act. That dissent paired with the blog's memes was just the flint in creating a fire of RBG fan content and merch that continues today. The excitement around Fauci is creating a similar community, focused around bringing hope and joy to one another during this pandemic. The fandom has grown rapidly with stans posting a slew of memes and merch all across the internet. Etsy and Amazon are littered with T-shirts that feature the scientist. One asks "What would Fauci do?" Another Etsy seller has made prayer candles featuring Fauci depicted as an angel with a halo around his head. Pastry shops across the country are selling donuts with Fauci's face surrounded in red, white, and blue buttercream. Fauci's constant status in American life amid the pandemic has made it even more noticeable when he's absent. When Fauci did not make an appearance at a White House press briefing last month, the hashtag #WhereisFauci went viral on social media, as though Fauci stood up the internet. Andrew Banas ✔@AndrewWHAM Had to check out these donuts for myself! The owner of Donut Delite says he wanted to honor Dr. Fauci for all the hard work he's doing for our country. Says he is literally selling hundreds of these every hour. @13WHAM nie bis i, 12:41 PM - Mar 26, 2020 - Donuts Delite / Salvatore's Old Fashioned Pizzeria Twitter Ads info and privacy 51 people are talking about this 755. The fandom is cross-generational, too. On Facebook, the Dr. Anthony Fauci Fan Club group touts nearly 40,000 members of all ages. They post news articles to keep each other informed, but they also share memes honoring Fauci. In one, Fauci appears on the front page of People magazine as the "sexiest man alive." In another, Fauci's face is photoshopped onto the body of Captain America. One user posted a Trump-like campaign sign, but instead of featuring the president's own infamous slogan, it reads, "Fauci: Make Science Great Again 2020." "Just saw this, and thought I'd share," the poster wrote. "Humor helps me endure." "HUMOR HELPS ME ENDURE" On TikTok, influencers like celebrity blogger Perez Hilton have posted videos featuring Fauci's viral press briefing facepalm from earlier this month. "This is how I feel right now," Hilton wrote in the video's caption. In another, Coldplay's "The Scientist" plays as images of Fauci dissolve into one another beneath the caption, "BREAKING NEWS: Dr. Fauci has been hospitalized from carrying the entire nation on his back." Fauci fandom has also provided comic relief and emotional support for people struggling through this unprecedented crisis. On the Facebook page earlier this week, one member made a plea for reassurance. "Will we ever be able to go back to 'normal'? My anxiety is telling me this is going to last forever..." The post received over 100 replies, a majority of them offering optimistic statistics or messages of support reassuring the user that they weren't alone -- valuable messages at a time when large swaths of the US's population are stuck indoors with their lives entirely uprooted from what they were before. In a moment like this, Fauci has become a comforting figure for those who are struggling. "He's kind of like this kind, old, wise mentor figure that we're thirsty for right now," Scott T. Allison, a professor of psychology who specializes in heroism and leadership at the University of Richmond, told The Verge. "He's the grandfather who will tell it to you straight and tell it to you lovingly." And Americans agree. According to Business Insider, Americans trust Fauci more than President Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. A 277200/6600; yntation between Navarro and me: No one knows how long this pandemic will last, as Fauci mentions at nearly every briefing. As it continues, today's circle of Fauci stans could change the face of fandom in the future, De Kosnik said. "We could see a different fandom arise around this calmer, more rational and more 'square' celebrity or performer," she said. The appeal of a whimsical or "bad boy" type celebrity could taper out if uncertainty in daily life continues to grow. A nerdy pragmatist could become the new focal point for fandom. Or maybe it'll just redefine who we see those traits in. "You might say that Dr. Fauci is a badass -- a person who does his job, and does it well, and to hell with the consequences and to hell with what the boss might think," Allison said. "We should all have such courage." PRESS: Fox and Friends; PBS NewsHour with Judy Woodruff
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April 4, 2020 - Global 972600/50300; USA 277200/6600; Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas - questions about my statements recently that all states should do stay at home. He was vey nice ad wanted clarification of what that meant forTexas and was he already doing what I was saying. In fact, he was for the most part. Also, spoke with Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut. Same issues as Gov. Abbott Washington Post had article ridiculing Jared for his appearance at the Press conference. They are being a bit unfair. Thick politics going on fueled by POTUS ridiculous behavior of blaming people for things. He keeps talking about TV ratings of the press briefings, which fuels the press backlash at him. In Task Force meeting had a big (unusual) argument with Peter Navarro who handed out a folder that he says shows studies that Hydroxychloroquine is effective in COVID. I strenuously objected and he then attacked me saying that I was the one who was against blocked travel from China when in fact I pushed the POTUS to do so. Weird guy!! VP and Marc Short acted like Peter was nuts. See below Axios description of the "confrontation between Navarro and me: Scoop: Inside the epic White House fight over hydroxychloroquine Jonathan Swan adviser Peter Navarro against infectious disease expert Anthony Situation Room on :a "game-changer" against the about the malaria drug, which Fauci and other trol groups. he pile of folders on the desk, which included printouts of one who early on objected to the argument. "People Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images The White House coronavirus task force had its biggest fight yet on Saturday, pitting economic adviser Peter Navarro against infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci. At issue: How enthusiastically should the White House tout the prospects of an antimalarial drug to fight COVID-19? Behind the scenes: This drama erupted into an epic Situation Room showdown. Trump's coronavirus task force gathered in the White House Situation Room on Saturday at about 1:30pm, according to four sources familiar with the conversation. Vice President Mike Pence sat at the head of the table. • Numerous government officials were at the table, including Fauci, coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx, Jared Kushner, acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, and Commissioner of Food and Drugs Stephen Hahn. • Behind them sat staff, including Peter Navarro, tapped by Trump to compel private companies to meet the government's coronavirus needs under the Defense Production Act. Toward the end of the meeting, Hahn began a discussion of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which Trump believes could be a "game-changer" against the coronavirus. • Hahn gave an update about the drug and what he was seeing in different trials and real-world results. • Then Navarro got up. He brought over a stack of folders and dropped them on the table. People started passing them around. • "And the first words out of his mouth are that the studies that he's seen, I believe they're mostly overseas, show 'clear therapeutic efficacy,'" said a source familiar with the conversation. "Those are the exact words out of his mouth." Navarro's comments set off a heated exchange about how the Trump administration and the president ought to talk about the malaria drug, which Fauci and other public health officials stress is unproven to combat COVID-19. • Fauci pushed back against Navarro, saying that there was only anecdotal evidence that hydroxychloroquine works against the coronavirus. • Researchers have said studies out of France and China are inadequate because they did not include control groups. • Fauci and others have said much more data is needed to prove that hydroxychloroquine is effective against the coronavirus. • As part of his role, Navarro has been trying to source hydroxychloroquine from around the world. He's also been trying to ensure that there are enough domestic production capabilities inside the U.S. Fauci's mention of anecdotal evidence "just set Peter off," said one of the sources. Navarro pointed to the pile of folders on the desk, which included printouts of studies on hydroxychloroquine from around the world. • Navarro said to Fauci, "That's science, not anecdote," said another of the sources. Navarro started raising his voice, and at one point accused Fauci of objecting to Trump's travel restrictions, saying, "You were the one who early on objected to the travel restrictions with China," saying that travel restrictions don't work. (Navarro was one of the earliest to push the China travel ban.) • Fauci looked confused, according to a source in the room. After Trump imposed the travel restrictions, Fauci has publicly praised the president's restriction on travel from China. • Pence was trying to moderate the heated discussion. "It was pretty clear that everyone was just trying to get Peter to sit down and stop being so confrontational," said one of the sources. • Eventually, Kushner turned to Navarro and said, "Peter, take yes for an answer," because most everyone agreed, by that time, it was important to surge the supply of the drug to hot zones. • The principals agreed that the administration's public stance should be that the decision to use the drug is between doctors and patients. • Trump ended up announcing at his press conference that he had 29 million doses of hydroxychloroquine in the Strategic National Stockpile. Between the lines: "There has never been a confrontation in the task force meetings like the one yesterday," said a source familiar with the argument. "People speak up and there's robust debate, but there's never been a confrontation. Yesterday was the first confrontation." • In response to a request for comment on Axios' reporting, Katie Miller, a spokesperson for the vice president, said: "We don't comment on meetings in the Situation Room." The bottom line: The way to discuss the drug's potential has become a fraught issue within the Trump administration. • Most members of the task force support a cautious approach to discussing the drug until it's proven. iship between Deb Birx and me. • Navarro, on the other hand, is convinced based on his reading that the drug works against the coronavirus and speaks about it enthusiastically. • Some of Trump's favorite TV hosts, including Fox's Sean Hannity, and friends including Rudy Giuliani, have also been touting the malaria drug for the coronavirus. Trump has made no secret who he sides with. • "What do you have to lose? Take it," the president said in a White House briefing on Saturday. "I really think they should take it. But it's their choice. And it's their doctor's choice or the doctors in the hospital. But hydroxychloroquine. Try it, if you'd like." POTUS continues to ramble at presser. Prior to the presser, POTUS invited me and Deb into his inner office at the OVAL and started telling me that as a Catholic how much of a shame it would be if we did not do a classical Easter and Good Friday and Palm Sunday. He wanted to figure out how to do a version of it like outdoor mass or stay in car and do drive in theater-like mass. Hope Hicks and I convinced him to essentially put Easter on hold for this year. Then he went on and on (almost pleading) with Me (mostly) and Deb saying that he cannot keep the country closed beyond the 30-day extension. He rambled on and on that we are destroying this great country and started rattling off the names of various sports commissioners (NBA, MLB, NHL, etc.) who said that their sports would be destroyed if we did not open up. Also, he said industry (all the industrial giants) would be forever destroyed. He said that he understood where Deb and I were coming from, but he could not let the country die and so one way or another, he is opening up in 30 days. He went on and emphasized this over and over at the press conference, which immediately followed his conversation with me and Deb. PRESS: White House Press Conference - 1hr 25 minutes. I had the opportunity to push mitigation sayin that it was our ony weapon right now and I praised the HCWs saying they were true heroes.