Tony's Diary Package — page 41

disease would go away in the spring. Dr. Fauci said maybe so, but because it was caused by a new virus, there was no way to tell. Experts like Dr. Fauci should be the ones who speak to the public during epidemics, said Representative Donna E. Shalala of Florida, who was his boss during the Obama administration, when she led the Department of Health and Human Services. "I think Tony is playing the same exact role that he has in the past -- to make sure the science is accurate and clear," Ms. Shalala said. "During a health emergency, it's the scientists and physicians that are the credible people to the American public, not politicians." "I used to make him wear his white coat when talking to the public," she added. "I used to make them all wear their white coats so people were reassured that they are real doctors." On Sunday, Dr. Fauci appeared on at least two television news shows, warning that as the virus spread -- there were more than 450 cases in at least 33 states -- some stricter measures to isolate the infected might be considered. He also offered advice for older adults and those with underlying health conditions who are most at risk, saying they should avoid cruises, flights and large gatherings of people. At a recent Congressional subcommittee hearing, one representative asked Dr. Fauci if he had a twin, because he seemed to be everywhere lately. Another offered medical advice: lemon, honey and bourbon for his voice, which has been hoarse for weeks from endless rounds of talking to lawmakers, scientists, health officials and reporters. If Dr. Fauci has become the explainer-in-chief of the coronavirus epidemic, it is in part because other government scientists have left a vacuum, avoiding the news media spotlight or being reined in by the Trump administration and accused of exaggerating the threat from the virus. When reporters call Dr. Fauci, he calls them back. Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is famous for being unknown: He has given few interviews or public talks outside those required by administration news conferences. Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the C.D.C.'s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, who warned on Feb. 25 that the coronavirus was likely to spread in the United States, and that "this could be bad," came under fire from the administration and has toned down her advisories. "Nancy Messonnier told it like it is," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, the former director of the C.D.C. "And she was 100 percent right, and they silenced the messenger." The C.D.C. has made few of its other scientists available for interviews about the coronavirus. And it is now facing sharp criticism for long delays in providing states with kits to test for the virus, and for setting such tight limits on the tests performed at its