COVID-19 Records

January 20, 2021 - Global - 94,000,000/2,000,000; USA - 24,000,000/400,300

Tony's Diary Package, pp.601-602 · fauci_diary:entry:00407

Page text: p.601, p.602 · original PDF

Date
2021-01-20 00:00 (day precision)
Type
diary entry · diary
author
Anthony S. Fauci
Topics
VaccinesMasks, lockdowns and NPIsWHO and international investigation
January 20, 2021 - Global - 94,000,000/2,000,000; USA - 24,000,000/400,300 Inauguration Day! Trump refusing to attend inauguration and left with a flare that was very sparsely attended. Biden was at Mass as Trump flew off to Mar-a-Largo. Trump's speech was surrealistic talking about all the great accomplishments of his Presidency. He also strongly hinted that he will be back with a "movement". He is a very dangerous man!! I am preparing for my early AM speech to WHO Executive Board tomorrow. Beth Cameron has given me much leeway on the Speech (which her staff put together). Mutants of SARS-CoV-2 getting much play in the scientific "preprint" arena. Final papers will soon come out. We will put restrictions (requirement for pre - and post - flight testing + quarantine) from RSA. Will brief POTUS Biden tomorrow. Am still quite achy from vaccine booster shot from yesterday. Here are my remarks for WHO tomorrow early (4:00 AM) morning: Remarks of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci at Got a call from Jared Kushner from Air Force 1 on his way to Mar-a-Largo thanking me for what we did with COVID-19 Spectacular Inauguration speech by Biden! Poem by Amanda Gorman was amazing (she is 22 years old). Lady Gaga sang the national anthem; J-Lo sang, as did Garth Brooks. Biden hit the right tone. The speech was in my mind comparable to those of Lincoln, Kennedy, FDR -24,300,000/405,000 Quotes from speech: "Let us not lead by example of power, but by the power of example"; "We must end this uncivil war" PRESS: CNBC - Dr. Fauci to lead U.S. delegation at WHO meetings as Biden plans to reverse Trump withdrawal Published Wed, Jan 20 20218:41 AM EST Noah Higgins-Dunn@higginsdunn

In context

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  1. 2021-01-16 00:00 Anthony S. Fauci open
    January 16, 2021 - Global - 92,300,000/2,000,000; USA - 23,400,000/391,000 Confirmed Cases (Thousands) ay Fe Fa is} 1" New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in the U.S. 'i HoT PPPS PF tHE an Dicily I ye 2020/2021 ome 7 Oy Moving Avorage en 0 Day Mowing Avoraga Jeff Zients gave me the entire Biden plan to look at and approve - I mentioned to him in detail the recent data from David Ho. We will set up a call for Sunday with the Biden team (doctors) since now several teams such as Michel Nussenzweig, Jess Bloom and others are finding the same thing as Ho. I want the call on Sunday since Michel is publishing his data in BioRx on Monday. I will bring John Mascola on the call with me to describe with some slides. Also, I have pushed with JZ to get Ned Sharpless re-appointed as NCI Director otherwise his resignation letter will go into effect on January 20. I asked JZ to get in touch with Ron Klain and re-appoint hi. JZ called me back this evening and said he spoke to Ron and Ned will stay as NCI Director. Post-holiday surge seems to be stabilizing. See Deb's comment below: 1. For the first time in weeks all indicators except fatalities are flat or declining. This suggests with full data triangulation that we have reached in most of the country the post Holiday peak and declines should continue to follow with continued mitigation. Testing rates have resumed to pre Holiday levels as for the first time week over week cases have declined (SLIDE 4) from last week's high - but testing for asymptomatic cases must increase to sustain the gains. Finding the containing the silent spread will be key to holding the current gains 2. CA is stabilizing at a high plateau and if AZ, FL, TX, NY can hold at their current plateau or early declines we could see National improvement beginning next week and improvement in fatality rates in 30 days but not without reaching 450K in 4 weeks and 500K fatalities over the next 8 weeks based on current case load and rate of rises Confirmed Cases (Thousardds) au New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in the U.S. 2020/2021 Doty ee Daty Mowing Avarage -23,700,000/395,000 en 0 Day Mowing Avoraga 3. Most of the rapidly rising metros appear to be reaching peak or at a high plateau and some like Chicago and NYC are beginning to decline. The key will be continued aggressive mitigation 4. New COVID hospital admissions are stable at a high plateau nationally but if the larger states and metros can hold or improve the rates should steadily decline if we can keep everyone focused on vigilance as we vaccinate PLEASE SEE SLIDE 3 SHOWING ICU BED OCCUPACY - SHOWING CLEARLY THE PRIMARY CURRENT STATES WITH THE WINTER SURGE PRESS:
  2. 2021-01-17 00:00 Anthony S. Fauci open
    January 17, 2021 - Global - 92,300,000/2,000,000; USA - 23,700,000/395,000 We may have reached the peak of the surge upon a surge 1. For the first time in weeks all indicators except fatalities are flat or declining. This suggests with full data triangulation that we have reached the post Holiday peak in most of the country and declines should continue with continued mitigation. These gains can be sustained and can accelerate if behavior change holds 2. Test positivity is declining. Testing rates have resumed to pre Holiday levels as for the first time week over week cases -23,800,000/397,000 1S have declined from last week's high - but testing for asymptomatic cases must increase to sustain the gains. Finding the containing the silent spread will be key to holding the current gains. 3. Cases are declining or stable across the country (down 8.8%) • John Mascola and I presented to JZ and the Biden medical team the results from David Ho's work on the UK and RSA mutants. (see above). We explained that this requires careful messaging since people would interpret incorrectly that this nullifies the vaccine which it does not. JZ has tasked me to write a 2-paragraph description to send to Biden tonight. I did so and now we have a meeting tomorrow AM to discuss possibility of travel restrictions from RSA and Brazil. PRESS: Meet the Press (NBC) with Chuck Todd; Che Tempo Che Fa Italian Sunday TV Show; MSNBC Lawrence O'Donnell
  3. 2021-01-18 00:00 Anthony S. Fauci open
    January 18, 2021 - Global - 94,000,000/2,000,000; USA - 23,800,000/397,000 Zoom meeting at 7:30 AM with JZ and the team + Jake Sullivan - discussed the restrictions on travel to RSA, Brazil and perhaps other countries. Leaning towards requiring PCR 72 hrs before board to USA followed by Ag test upon boarding followed by Ag test within 3 days of landing + quarantine. Will present to Ron Klain and POTUS after inauguration. Deb Birx's next to last TF note: This is the last metro case analysis. We are seeing mostly significant improvements or major metros holding at a high plateau. I am worried about the 12 metros that are still increasing and one of them is DC. I walked some of the areas downtown on Sat while I was moving out of my State Dept office and there are major feeding tents set up around downtown for the workers and National Guard - these can be super spreading locations and the National Guard is from around the country including hotspots. National Guard troops must be tested and must be tested when returning but I worry we are creating a massive viral spreading event as troops deploy to DC and then return home and the co-mixing of local metro police with National Guard. That said by all indicators we are stabilizing as a country and improvements should continue. New hospital admissions are down across the country and is super spreading events can be managed we should continue to see improvements as more states will be able to utilize health personnel to support massive vaccination. On the personal level getting the elderly - the highest risk group over 75 - immunized is incredibly difficult. We have the entire family working to secure sites for my parents but you need to be tech savvy and able to constantly refresh sites and search multiple county and state websites. Then you have to be able to transport and move them to the vaccine sites. We think we may have secured a PG county option for this week but if elderly do not have tech support or outreach and transportation support this will be incredibly difficult for them. Deb COVID-19 Daily Report Reported on January 18, 2021 Sates ahead fo groups based on test positivity in the week ending Jan 13, 2021" AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, FL. GA, DA, ID, IM, WS, ACF, Lali, OD, BAS, FeT, PHC, MEL, IN, BE, IL, MID, NY, 50, CO, DC, Ma, ME, Mi, A, Bi, WV, OH, OK, PA, SC, TM, TH, WA, Wl MN, OR, Al, Wer UT, VA, WV AR, Hi, MD, WT he 1. For the first time in weeks all indicators except fatalities are improving and are either flat at a high plateau or declining over 7 days. This suggests with full data triangulation that we have reached the post-Holiday peak in most of the country and declines should continue with continued mitigation. These gains can be sustained and can accelerate if behavior change holds and testing increases to find the asymptomatic cases to prevent community spread Had farewell conversation with Vice President Pence. I called up Marc Short to ask him to have the VP call me today since I was not sure that I would be able to attend (virtually) the last TF meeting this Tuesday. The VP called and we had a very touching and person discussion saying how much he respected me and how the TF would not have been able to accomplish what it did without me. He was very touched. I told him how important it was for his legacy that he acted with such dignity and resolve over the last days when he refused to go along with Trump's attempt to get him to overthrow the election results. WE parted by saying we will always be there for each other. Received material from Beth Cameron for my announcement on early AM of Jan. 21 that we will re-join the WHO. I will edit it and get it re-approved. Very nice that I have been chosen to be head of delegation to the WHA in Geneva (virtually) to make this announcement. Summary of some events over past few days/weeks: Jeff Zients calls me multiple times per day checking facts, etc. I brought up to him that it would be a good idea for continuity that he keep on Francis as NIH director since if he does not act to tear up the required letter of resignation, Francis automatically is gone and we have an acting (which would not be bad since Larry Tabak is great). Ned Sharpless is in the same boat as presidential appointee at NCI. And so I mentioned to Jeff that we should keep Ned on and he made it happen. And so, in fact I am responsible for keeping the NIH and NCI Directors in their jobs. A surprise is that Harold Varmus called me up and expressed great concern that Francis was staying on. He said many substantial members of scientific community (Bruce Alberts, Shirley Tilghman, etc) are quite concerned and feel that it is time for a change. I explained to Harold that this was probably Zar. temporary and related to need for continuity related to COVID-19 efforts. He is trying to get momentum to have this reversed. Harold has always felt that change is important PRESS: TNT "The Arena" with Cari Champion;
  4. 2021-01-19 00:00 Anthony S. Fauci open
    January 19, 2021 - Received booster dose of Moderna vaccine today together with Francis Collins and Alex Azar. Said goodbyes to Alex and Brian Harrison (his COS). Alex described how terrible it was dealing with the White House people. He specifically mentioned Marc Short. He feels that Marc, Joe Grogan, and Deb. Birx undermined HHS. Deb Last e-mail: 1. The country is in a better place than we have been since before Thanksgiving. All indicators except fatalities are improving and are either flat at a high plateau or declining over 8 days. Monday represents weekend reporting but last night was the lowest case number since the beginning of Nov. Full data triangulation that we have reached the post Holiday peak in most of the country and declines should continue with continued mitigation. These gains can be sustained and can accelerate if behavior change holds and testing increases to find the asymptomatic cases to prevent community spread - we must find those asymptomatic cases to ensure new aggressive variants rapidly spread undetected Last coronavirus Task Force meeting. VP asked Ben Carson to start with a prayer. VP Pence saying goodbye and how proud he is of what the group has accomplished. He read a letter that he is sending to all of us thanking us. He also has chronicled the "accomplishments" of the TF and the government's efforts. He will send such a letter and the list of accomplishments to Biden. He thanked all of us sincerely and expressed multiple times how much of a privilege it was to work for us. He asked that we help the incoming Biden people in the transition (a little late!!!) Alex Azar warned that their work would be denigrated by the incoming group and their press people, but that is "natural". Alex delineated everything that he felt we did right. He spoke of our accomplishments in testing, PPE, etc. One would argue about that. Deb Birx spoke about how great it was in working with everyone. She spoke of trust and belief in your colleagues. Wow, this is interesting given how often she threw CDC under the bus and how she - 24,000,000/400,300 to Mar-a-Largo thanking me for and Marc Short were in disagreement on everything, and how she hated Brett Giroir and badmouthed him all the time saying that he always promised more than he could deliver. Brett Giroir praised the VP and said that the VP brought out the best in everyone. VP Pence asked me to say words. I praised him and also praised the VP's staff. I did not mention Marc Short and Katie Miller, but they knew I was referring to them. Bob Redfield praised the VP as well as Deb Birx. Pete Gaynor explained what a honor it was to work for the VP. VP then thanked a number of people including Jerome Adams, VP staff, Marc Short, Katie Miller and others, Ben Carson, Keith Kellog. VP signed off to a resounding round of applause! PRESS: The PBS Masters people have started filming in earnest for their documentary; interviewed by Adi Ignatius and others for the Harvard Business Review; NYT: As Fauci receives his second dose, he urges Americans to get vaccinated; CNN with Jake Tapper;
  5. 2021-01-20 00:00 Anthony S. Fauci
    January 20, 2021 - Global - 94,000,000/2,000,000; USA - 24,000,000/400,300 Inauguration Day! Trump refusing to attend inauguration and left with a flare that was very sparsely attended. Biden was at Mass as Trump flew off to Mar-a-Largo. Trump's speech was surrealistic talking about all the great accomplishments of his Presidency. He also strongly hinted that he will be back with a "movement". He is a very dangerous man!! I am preparing for my early AM speech to WHO Executive Board tomorrow. Beth Cameron has given me much leeway on the Speech (which her staff put together). Mutants of SARS-CoV-2 getting much play in the scientific "preprint" arena. Final papers will soon come out. We will put restrictions (requirement for pre - and post - flight testing + quarantine) from RSA. Will brief POTUS Biden tomorrow. Am still quite achy from vaccine booster shot from yesterday. Here are my remarks for WHO tomorrow early (4:00 AM) morning: Remarks of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci at Got a call from Jared Kushner from Air Force 1 on his way to Mar-a-Largo thanking me for what we did with COVID-19 Spectacular Inauguration speech by Biden! Poem by Amanda Gorman was amazing (she is 22 years old). Lady Gaga sang the national anthem; J-Lo sang, as did Garth Brooks. Biden hit the right tone. The speech was in my mind comparable to those of Lincoln, Kennedy, FDR -24,300,000/405,000 Quotes from speech: "Let us not lead by example of power, but by the power of example"; "We must end this uncivil war" PRESS: CNBC - Dr. Fauci to lead U.S. delegation at WHO meetings as Biden plans to reverse Trump withdrawal Published Wed, Jan 20 20218:41 AM EST Noah Higgins-Dunn@higginsdunn
  6. 2021-01-21 00:00 Anthony S. Fauci open
    January 21, 2021 - Global - 95,000,000/2,000,000; USA - 24,300,000/405,000 Made speech at Executive Board of WHO (4:00 AM ET) to announce that USA is rejoining WHO. Also, we are rescinding Mexico City Policy. I spoke as representing newly inaugurated President Biden Remarks of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci at Tedros response: WHO Director-General's remarks at the 148th session of the Executive Board 21 January 2021 Thank you, my brother Tony, and welcome to the WHO Executive Board as head of delegation for the United States of America. Thank you, my friend, for your personal support for WHO over many years, and especially in the past year. by Philip Bump: -24,500,000/409,000 We have benefited immensely from your participation as a member of our regular global health leaders calls, since the start of the pandemic. And thank you for your incredible leadership against the pandemic in the United States. This is a good day for WHO, and a good day for global health. I send my deep thanks and warm congratulations to President Biden and Vice President Harris, and to the American people. Terrific day! Briefed Biden and Harris in the State Dining Room of the White House. Together with JZ, Natalie Quillian, Rochelle Walensky, Marcella Nunez-Smith. Really relaxed and warm interchange with both Biden and Harris. Then, I went with Jen Psaki and did a press briefing in the White House press room (first time in a long time). They really want me out there and there is no pushback at all for my appearances. CNN went into major panel discussions about the fact that Biden chose me as the first scientific press briefing. PRESS: Did full press briefing in the White House press room. Washington Post article by Philip Bump: Fauci, unchained The government's leading infectious-disease expert exults in being able to speak frankly Fauci says it's 'liberating' to 'let the science speak' Good Morning America (ABC) with Michael Strahan; CBS Sunday with Ted Koppel; CNN with Chris Cuomo;
  7. 2021-01-22 00:00 Anthony S. Fauci open
    January 22, 2021 - Global - 96,000,000/2,000,000; USA - 24,500,000/409,000 Some confusion about whether 100 million doses in 100 days or 100 millionb people in 100 days. Finally straightened it out and it is "doses" not "people". Press are starting in aready in first criticizing that the goal is too lofty and now they are saying that the bar is tyoo low since we are already getting 800K per day. You just cannot win. -24,700,000/4 13,000 PRESS: CNN New Day with John Berman; Black News Channel with former Mayor Sharon Pratt; WTOP Radio with Mike Murillo; University of Montana Student newspaper (Jacob Owens); NPR - "All Things Considered" - Mary Louise Kelly; NBC LX TV with Tabitha Lipkin and Ashley Holt; Conference of Mayors Panel - with Vivek Murthy - picked up by networks, cable, and C-SPAN; MSNBC - Rachel Maddow;
  8. 2021-01-24 00:00 Anthony S. Fauci open
    January 24, 2021(Sunday) - Global - 97,500,000/2,100,000; USA - 25,000,000/416,000 Deb Birx had a 45 minute taped interview with Margaret Brennan right after me. It was moving in some respects, but a fair bit of revisionist history. PRESS: CBS "Face the Nation" with Margaret Brennan; CBS Sunday with ted Koppel; Donald McNeil interview in the NY Times: NYT: Fauci on What Working for Trump Was Really Like
  9. 2021-01-25 00:00 Anthony S. Fauci open
    January 25, 2021 - Global - 99,000,000/2,100,000; USA - 25,000,000/418,000 • Did really good WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM Panel chaired by John Mickethwait (Bloomberg) with panelists: Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis; Nancy Brown (CEO of American Heart Association) and Frans van Houten (CEO of Royal Philips) • The vaccine is now being referred to as the "Fauci Ouchie" • Many interviews today focusing in part on the fact that Deb (on Face the Nation) and I (in the interview with Donald McNeill) opened up about the difficulties in dealing with Trump Administration. A lot of discussion about the RSA and UK variants and the potential effect on mAbs and importantly vaccines. Thus far, even though the mutants diminish somewhat the efficacy of the vaccines, the antibody response of the vaccine is still within the cushion of efficacy. Recent data indicate that the UK strain is also increased in virulence as well as transmissibility. On an interview with Erin Burnett (CNN) I went PRESS: Good Morning America (ABC) with George Stephanopoulos; Today Show with Savannah Guthrie; CBS This Morning with Tony Mason; Latino USA Radio with Maria Hinojosa (NYC); Fireside chat with Leroy Hood on receiving the 2021 Precision Medicine World Conference Luminary Award; WBUR Boston NPR Radio; WGN Radio Chicago - Bob Sirott Show; ABC TV News Live Lindsey Davis; Spectrum News TV with Alex Cohen; CNN with Erin Burnett;

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