Dr Anthony Fauci admitted US deaths “off the charts higher” than Australia
America’s top coronavirus specialist was pressed by politicians on why Australia’s death rate from the disease was so low compared to the US.
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America’s top coronavirus specialist was pressed on why Australia’s death rate from the disease was so low compared to the US.
Appearing before the first ever remote US Senate hearing, Dr Anthony Fauci admitted US fatalities were “off the charts higher” than those in New Zealand, South Korea and Australia.
Under questioning from Democrat senator Tim Kaine, Dr Fauci was unable to explain why the US had fared so badly, with a death rate 45 times higher than that of South Korea, three times more than Germany and “twice as high as Canada’s rate”.
“A death rate at that high is something that in any manner of form in my mind is unacceptable,” Dr Fauci said.
Dr Fauci also warned American states not to rush reopening as he revealed a successful vaccine could be ready within months, with at least eight vaccines in development.
“Given the way the body responds to viruses of this type, I’m cautiously optimistic that we will get a candidate that’s effective,” Dr Fauci said over a lifestream.
“If we are successful, we hope to know that in the late fall and early winter.
“We have many candidates and hope to have multiple winners.”
But as America grapples with how to kickstart its devastated economy, Dr Fauci warned of “needless suffering and death” if states lift restrictions too early.
“You will trigger an outbreak you may not be able to control, which in fact will set you back,” he said.
This would not only lead to “suffering and death that could be avoided but could even set you back and almost turned the clock back rather than going forward.
“That is my major concern.”
Encouraged by President Donald Trump, more than 30 states have started easing social distancing restrictions and reopening some businesses.
More than 81,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus and the US accounts for more than a quarter of the world’s four million cases.
Dr Fauci said it was almost certain the actual death toll was much higher than official figures.
He also said some states were overstepping the federal “guideline framework” to reopen.
“My concern is that some areas, cities, states, what have you, jump over those various checkpoints and prematurely open up without having the capability of being able to respond effectively and efficiently,” Dr Fauci said.
“My concern is that we will start to see little spikes that might turn into outbreaks,” he said.
“The consequences could be really serious.”
With a growing partisan divide over reopening the country, Dr Fauci also defended himself against claims by Republican senator Rand Paul that he was overstepping.
“I have never made myself out to be the end all and only voice in this. I’m a scientist, a physician and a public health official, I give advice, according to the best scientific evidence,” Dr Fauci said.
“I don’t give advice about economic things. I don’t give advice about anything other than public health.”
Dr Fauci and other officials, including the heads of the Centre for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration, also testified that they had a collegiate relationship with President Trump, after being questioned about media reports the White House had been clashing with members of the COVID-19 task force.
“There is certainly not a confrontational relationship between me and the president,” Dr Fauci said.
Originally published as Dr Anthony Fauci admitted US deaths “off the charts higher” than Australia