Dr. Anthony Fauci in 2020 on COVID-19 | 60 Minutes Archive

This weekend, Americans face another This weekend, Americans face another surge in the CO 19 pandemic. Infections surge in the CO 19 pandemic. Infections surge in the CO 19 pandemic. Infections have passed the 8 million mark and are have passed the 8 million mark and are have passed the 8 million mark and are rising rapidly. There are more than rising rapidly. There are more than rising rapidly. There are more than 218,000 dead. During the course of the 218,000 dead. During the course of the 218,000 dead. During the course of the pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fouchy has been pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fouchy has been pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fouchy has been the physician most Americans have relied the physician most Americans have relied the physician most Americans have relied upon for their information. But now, upon for their information. But now, upon for their information. But now, instead of worrying solely about instead of worrying solely about instead of worrying solely about developing vaccines or therapeutics, Dr. developing vaccines or therapeutics, Dr. developing vaccines or therapeutics, Dr. Fouchi finds himself unhappily caught up Fouchi finds himself unhappily caught up Fouchi finds himself unhappily caught up in presidential politics under in presidential politics under in presidential politics under protection from death threats and forced protection from death threats and forced protection from death threats and forced to defend science itself. to defend science itself. to defend science itself. With 16 days until the election, we With 16 days until the election, we With 16 days until the election, we began our conversation with a question began our conversation with a question began our conversation with a question many have been asking. Are you planning many have been asking. Are you planning many have been asking. Are you planning to vote in person? to vote in person? to vote in person? >> I'm going to try to vote in person. I >> I'm going to try to vote in person. I >> I'm going to try to vote in person. I like the the atmosphere of going and like the the atmosphere of going and like the the atmosphere of going and voting. voting. voting. >> I think a lot of people want to vote in >> I think a lot of people want to vote in >> I think a lot of people want to vote in person, but they're afraid. If someone person, but they're afraid. If someone person, but they're afraid. If someone asked me, "I'm 75 years old. I have asked me, "I'm 75 years old. I have asked me, "I'm 75 years old. I have hypertension and I'm a little bit hypertension and I'm a little bit hypertension and I'm a little bit concerned." Alleviate your anxiety. Do concerned." Alleviate your anxiety. Do concerned." Alleviate your anxiety. Do an absentee ballot. No problem. But they an absentee ballot. No problem. But they an absentee ballot. No problem. But they could vote in person if they were could vote in person if they were could vote in person if they were careful.

careful. careful. >> Right. Yes. >> Right. Yes. >> Right. Yes. >> Dr. Anthony Fouchy has been a voice of >> Dr. Anthony Fouchy has been a voice of >> Dr. Anthony Fouchy has been a voice of logic and stability since the pandemic logic and stability since the pandemic logic and stability since the pandemic began. And right now, he's worried we're began. And right now, he's worried we're began. And right now, he's worried we're heading in the wrong direction. heading in the wrong direction. heading in the wrong direction. Worldwide, the number of new cases is Worldwide, the number of new cases is Worldwide, the number of new cases is surging at an alarming rate, as seen in surging at an alarming rate, as seen in surging at an alarming rate, as seen in this map by John's Hopkins University. this map by John's Hopkins University. this map by John's Hopkins University. This week, Russia reported a record This week, Russia reported a record This week, Russia reported a record number of infections, and cases are number of infections, and cases are number of infections, and cases are spiking in the UK, France, and Italy. spiking in the UK, France, and Italy. spiking in the UK, France, and Italy. [cough] [cough] [cough] When you have a million deaths and over When you have a million deaths and over When you have a million deaths and over 30 million infections globally, you 30 million infections globally, you 30 million infections globally, you cannot say that we're on the road to cannot say that we're on the road to cannot say that we're on the road to essentially getting out of this. So essentially getting out of this. So essentially getting out of this. So quite frankly, I don't know where we quite frankly, I don't know where we quite frankly, I don't know where we are. It's impossible to say. are. It's impossible to say. are. It's impossible to say. >> What Dr. Fouchy knows for sure is here >> What Dr. Fouchy knows for sure is here >> What Dr. Fouchy knows for sure is here in the United States, infections are in the United States, infections are in the United States, infections are beginning to rise as the weather gets beginning to rise as the weather gets beginning to rise as the weather gets colder and people congregate indoors. colder and people congregate indoors. colder and people congregate indoors. Over the last two weeks, new cases have Over the last two weeks, new cases have Over the last two weeks, new cases have gone up in at least 38 states. How bad gone up in at least 38 states. How bad gone up in at least 38 states. How bad would things have to get for you to would things have to get for you to would things have to get for you to advocate a national lockdown?

advocate a national lockdown? advocate a national lockdown? >> Uh, they'd have to get really, really >> Uh, they'd have to get really, really >> Uh, they'd have to get really, really bad. First of all, the country is bad. First of all, the country is bad. First of all, the country is fatigued with restrictions. So, we want fatigued with restrictions. So, we want fatigued with restrictions. So, we want to use public health measures not to get to use public health measures not to get to use public health measures not to get in the way of opening the economy, but in the way of opening the economy, but in the way of opening the economy, but to being a safe gateway to opening the to being a safe gateway to opening the to being a safe gateway to opening the economy. So instead of having an economy. So instead of having an economy. So instead of having an opposition, open up the economy, get opposition, open up the economy, get opposition, open up the economy, get jobs back, or shut down. No, put jobs back, or shut down. No, put jobs back, or shut down. No, put shutdown away and say we're going to use shutdown away and say we're going to use shutdown away and say we're going to use public health measures to help us safely public health measures to help us safely public health measures to help us safely get to where we want to go. get to where we want to go. get to where we want to go. >> Those measures were not in place last >> Those measures were not in place last >> Those measures were not in place last month in the Rose Garden when President month in the Rose Garden when President month in the Rose Garden when President Trump announced the nomination of Amy Trump announced the nomination of Amy Trump announced the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. >> Were you surprised that President Trump >> Were you surprised that President Trump >> Were you surprised that President Trump got sick? got sick? got sick? >> Absolutely not. I was worried that he >> Absolutely not. I was worried that he >> Absolutely not. I was worried that he was going to get sick when I saw him in was going to get sick when I saw him in was going to get sick when I saw him in a completely precarious situation of a completely precarious situation of a completely precarious situation of crowded, no separation between people crowded, no separation between people crowded, no separation between people and almost nobody wearing a mask. When I and almost nobody wearing a mask. When I and almost nobody wearing a mask. When I saw that on TV, I said, "Oh my goodness, saw that on TV, I said, "Oh my goodness, saw that on TV, I said, "Oh my goodness, nothing good can come out of that.

nothing good can come out of that. nothing good can come out of that. That's got to be a problem." And then That's got to be a problem." And then That's got to be a problem." And then sure enough, it turned out to be a super sure enough, it turned out to be a super sure enough, it turned out to be a super spreader event. After three days in the spreader event. After three days in the spreader event. After three days in the hospital with CO 19, President Trump hospital with CO 19, President Trump hospital with CO 19, President Trump returned to the White House and soon returned to the White House and soon returned to the White House and soon started holding political rallies. started holding political rallies. started holding political rallies. >> I'm in such great shape. >> I'm in such great shape. >> I'm in such great shape. >> President Trump is >> President Trump is >> President Trump is >> Earlier this month, the Trump campaign >> Earlier this month, the Trump campaign >> Earlier this month, the Trump campaign released this television ad. released this television ad. released this television ad. >> It features what appears to be a glowing >> It features what appears to be a glowing >> It features what appears to be a glowing remark from Dr. Fouchy on President remark from Dr. Fouchy on President remark from Dr. Fouchy on President Trump's handling of the Corona virus Trump's handling of the Corona virus Trump's handling of the Corona virus pandemic. pandemic. pandemic. >> I can't imagine that anybody could be >> I can't imagine that anybody could be >> I can't imagine that anybody could be doing more. doing more. doing more. >> Stunning. Fouchi says his words were >> Stunning. Fouchi says his words were >> Stunning. Fouchi says his words were taken out of context, but this week the taken out of context, but this week the taken out of context, but this week the ad continued to run in key battleground ad continued to run in key battleground ad continued to run in key battleground states. states. states. >> I do not and nor will I ever publicly >> I do not and nor will I ever publicly >> I do not and nor will I ever publicly endorse any political candidate. And endorse any political candidate. And endorse any political candidate. And here I am, they sticking me right in the here I am, they sticking me right in the here I am, they sticking me right in the middle of a campaign ad, which I thought middle of a campaign ad, which I thought middle of a campaign ad, which I thought was outrageous. I was referring to was outrageous. I was referring to was outrageous. I was referring to something entirely different. I was something entirely different. I was something entirely different. I was referring to the grueling work of the referring to the grueling work of the referring to the grueling work of the task force that god, we were knocking task force that god, we were knocking task force that god, we were knocking ourselves out seven days a week. I don't ourselves out seven days a week. I don't ourselves out seven days a week. I don't think we could possibly have done any think we could possibly have done any think we could possibly have done any more than that.

more than that. more than that. >> Did the steam start to come out of your >> Did the steam start to come out of your >> Did the steam start to come out of your ears? ears? ears? >> No, it did. Quite frankly, I got really >> No, it did. Quite frankly, I got really >> No, it did. Quite frankly, I got really ticked off. ticked off. ticked off. >> Dr. Fouchy has become the most visible >> Dr. Fouchy has become the most visible >> Dr. Fouchy has become the most visible doctor in America. Yet, he says his doctor in America. Yet, he says his doctor in America. Yet, he says his ability to communicate with the public ability to communicate with the public ability to communicate with the public is not always under his control. is not always under his control. is not always under his control. >> During this pandemic, has the White >> During this pandemic, has the White >> During this pandemic, has the White House been controlling when you can House been controlling when you can House been controlling when you can speak with the media? speak with the media? speak with the media? >> You know, I think you'd have to be >> You know, I think you'd have to be >> You know, I think you'd have to be honest to say yes. Uh, I certainly have honest to say yes. Uh, I certainly have honest to say yes. Uh, I certainly have not been allowed to go on many, many, not been allowed to go on many, many, not been allowed to go on many, many, many shows that have asked for me. many shows that have asked for me. many shows that have asked for me. >> One of the most trusted voices in >> One of the most trusted voices in >> One of the most trusted voices in America, and yet you're not there. America, and yet you're not there. America, and yet you're not there. You're not allowed to talk with us. So, You're not allowed to talk with us. So, You're not allowed to talk with us. So, can you understand the frustration that can you understand the frustration that can you understand the frustration that maybe there's been a restriction on the maybe there's been a restriction on the maybe there's been a restriction on the flow of information, on transparency? flow of information, on transparency? flow of information, on transparency? >> You know, I think there has been a >> You know, I think there has been a >> You know, I think there has been a restriction, John, but but it doesn't it restriction, John, but but it doesn't it restriction, John, but but it doesn't it isn't consistent. isn't consistent. isn't consistent. >> Another point of contention between Dr. >> Another point of contention between Dr. >> Another point of contention between Dr. Fouchy in the White House has to do with Fouchy in the White House has to do with Fouchy in the White House has to do with masks. masks. masks. >> Dr. Fouchy said the I want to ask you, >> Dr. Fouchy said the I want to ask you, >> Dr. Fouchy said the I want to ask you, we got more than a minute left in this we got more than a minute left in this we got more than a minute left in this mask are not good. Then he changed his mask are not good. Then he changed his mask are not good. Then he changed his mind. He said mask good. I'm okay with mind. He said mask good. I'm okay with mind. He said mask good. I'm okay with masks.

masks. masks. >> At the beginning of the outbreak, Dr. >> At the beginning of the outbreak, Dr. >> At the beginning of the outbreak, Dr. Fouchi recommended against routinely Fouchi recommended against routinely Fouchi recommended against routinely wearing masks partly because he was wearing masks partly because he was wearing masks partly because he was concerned there would be a shortage of concerned there would be a shortage of concerned there would be a shortage of surgical masks for healthare workers. surgical masks for healthare workers. surgical masks for healthare workers. But a month later, Fouchi reversed But a month later, Fouchi reversed But a month later, Fouchi reversed course after he says it turned out course after he says it turned out course after he says it turned out people without symptoms were a people without symptoms were a people without symptoms were a significant source of spread and masks, significant source of spread and masks, significant source of spread and masks, even homemade ones, could help stop even homemade ones, could help stop even homemade ones, could help stop transmission. transmission. transmission. >> So, let's see if we could put this to >> So, let's see if we could put this to >> So, let's see if we could put this to rest once and for all. It became clear rest once and for all. It became clear rest once and for all. It became clear that cloth coverings, things like this that cloth coverings, things like this that cloth coverings, things like this here, and not necessarily a surgical here, and not necessarily a surgical here, and not necessarily a surgical mask or an N95, mask or an N95, mask or an N95, cloth coverings work. So now there's no cloth coverings work. So now there's no cloth coverings work. So now there's no longer a shortage of masks. Number two, longer a shortage of masks. Number two, longer a shortage of masks. Number two, metaanalysis studies show that contrary metaanalysis studies show that contrary metaanalysis studies show that contrary to what we thought, masks really do work to what we thought, masks really do work to what we thought, masks really do work in preventing infection. in preventing infection. in preventing infection. >> No doubt. >> No doubt. >> No doubt. >> So no doubt. So when you find out you >> So no doubt. So when you find out you >> So no doubt. So when you find out you were wrong, you don't double down.

were wrong, you don't double down. were wrong, you don't double down. >> No, when you find out you're wrong, it's >> No, when you find out you're wrong, it's >> No, when you find out you're wrong, it's a manifestation of your honesty to say, a manifestation of your honesty to say, a manifestation of your honesty to say, "Hey, I was wrong. I did subsequent "Hey, I was wrong. I did subsequent "Hey, I was wrong. I did subsequent experiments and now it's this way." experiments and now it's this way." experiments and now it's this way." >> The benefit of masks has been supported >> The benefit of masks has been supported >> The benefit of masks has been supported by evidence that under certain by evidence that under certain by evidence that under certain conditions, the virus can travel more conditions, the virus can travel more conditions, the virus can travel more than the 6 ft suggested by social than the 6 ft suggested by social than the 6 ft suggested by social distancing guidelines. As seen in this distancing guidelines. As seen in this distancing guidelines. As seen in this video, tiny aerosolized droplets can video, tiny aerosolized droplets can video, tiny aerosolized droplets can float like cigarette smoke across a float like cigarette smoke across a float like cigarette smoke across a room. Over time, without good room. Over time, without good room. Over time, without good ventilation, they can build up and pose ventilation, they can build up and pose ventilation, they can build up and pose a risk of infection. Research shows a a risk of infection. Research shows a a risk of infection. Research shows a mask can reduce that risk. mask can reduce that risk. mask can reduce that risk. Dr. Fouchy says he's optimistic about Dr. Fouchy says he's optimistic about Dr. Fouchy says he's optimistic about the early use of experimental therapies the early use of experimental therapies the early use of experimental therapies like rem desave and the monoconal like rem desave and the monoconal like rem desave and the monoconal antibodies given to President Trump. Do antibodies given to President Trump. Do antibodies given to President Trump. Do you find it at all ironic that the you find it at all ironic that the you find it at all ironic that the president who has not always president who has not always president who has not always consistently followed the advice of consistently followed the advice of consistently followed the advice of public health officials and scientists public health officials and scientists public health officials and scientists seems to have been made better by seems to have been made better by seems to have been made better by science? Well, I don't think it's science? Well, I don't think it's science? Well, I don't think it's ironic. I think it's fortunate that the ironic. I think it's fortunate that the ironic. I think it's fortunate that the president of the United States benefited president of the United States benefited president of the United States benefited from science. You know, I think deep from science. You know, I think deep from science. You know, I think deep down he believes in science. If he down he believes in science. If he down he believes in science. If he didn't, he would not have entrusted his didn't, he would not have entrusted his didn't, he would not have entrusted his health to the very competent physicians health to the very competent physicians health to the very competent physicians at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. But at the same time, he hasn't worn But at the same time, he hasn't worn But at the same time, he hasn't worn masks consistently. He's pushed back masks consistently. He's pushed back masks consistently. He's pushed back against things you've said. against things you've said. against things you've said. >> See, I I think that's less an >> See, I I think that's less an >> See, I I think that's less an anti-science than it's more a statement. anti-science than it's more a statement. anti-science than it's more a statement. >> What kind of a statement? >> What kind of a statement? >> What kind of a statement? >> You know, a statement of strength, like >> You know, a statement of strength, like >> You know, a statement of strength, like we're strong, we don't need a we don't we're strong, we don't need a we don't we're strong, we don't need a we don't need a mask. That kind of thing. Is that need a mask. That kind of thing. Is that need a mask. That kind of thing. Is that >> he sometimes equates wearing a mask with >> he sometimes equates wearing a mask with >> he sometimes equates wearing a mask with weakness. weakness. weakness. >> Does that make sense to you? >> Does that make sense to you? >> Does that make sense to you? >> No, it doesn't. Of course not. >> No, it doesn't. Of course not. >> No, it doesn't. Of course not. >> Do you have a feeling that there is >> Do you have a feeling that there is >> Do you have a feeling that there is sometimes an allout war against science? sometimes an allout war against science? sometimes an allout war against science? >> Oh, yeah. I mean particularly over the >> Oh, yeah. I mean particularly over the >> Oh, yeah. I mean particularly over the last few years there's an anti- athority last few years there's an anti- athority last few years there's an anti- athority feeling in the [clears throat] world and feeling in the [clears throat] world and feeling in the [clears throat] world and science has an air of authority to it. science has an air of authority to it. science has an air of authority to it. So people who want to push back on So people who want to push back on So people who want to push back on authority tend to as a sidebar push back authority tend to as a sidebar push back authority tend to as a sidebar push back on science. Tell me about them. How are on science. Tell me about them. How are on science. Tell me about them. How are they? Any good? they? Any good? they? Any good? >> Dr. Fouchy is married to Dr. Christine >> Dr. Fouchy is married to Dr. Christine >> Dr. Fouchy is married to Dr. Christine Grady a bioethicist at the National Grady a bioethicist at the National Grady a bioethicist at the National Institutes of Health. We first met her Institutes of Health. We first met her Institutes of Health. We first met her back in 2016 during a rare relaxed back in 2016 during a rare relaxed back in 2016 during a rare relaxed evening of homemade rietoni with Italian evening of homemade rietoni with Italian evening of homemade rietoni with Italian sausage.

sausage. sausage. >> Salute. >> Salute. >> Salute. >> She prefers to stay out of the >> She prefers to stay out of the >> She prefers to stay out of the spotlight, but agreed to sit down with spotlight, but agreed to sit down with spotlight, but agreed to sit down with us. This pandemic has been rough on us. This pandemic has been rough on us. This pandemic has been rough on families all across America. What about families all across America. What about families all across America. What about yours? yours? yours? >> Yeah, it's been rough on ours in the in >> Yeah, it's been rough on ours in the in >> Yeah, it's been rough on ours in the in a way that I think is similar to many a way that I think is similar to many a way that I think is similar to many other families. We haven't been able to other families. We haven't been able to other families. We haven't been able to see our children very often. I can't see see our children very often. I can't see see our children very often. I can't see my mom very often because she my mom very often because she my mom very often because she >> How old is your mom? >> How old is your mom? >> How old is your mom? >> She's 96 >> She's 96 >> She's 96 >> and she got CO >> and she got CO >> and she got CO >> and she got CO >> and she got CO >> and she got CO >> really >> really >> really >> and she's in a assisted living facility >> and she's in a assisted living facility >> and she's in a assisted living facility and and so they understandably have very and and so they understandably have very and and so they understandably have very restricted visiting and so all of those restricted visiting and so all of those restricted visiting and so all of those kinds of things are really have been kinds of things are really have been kinds of things are really have been hard for us just like they have been for hard for us just like they have been for hard for us just like they have been for many many families. many many families. many many families. >> You get to see a Tony Fouchy that the >> You get to see a Tony Fouchy that the >> You get to see a Tony Fouchy that the rest of us don't see. What frustrates rest of us don't see. What frustrates rest of us don't see. What frustrates him? the fact that, you know, the same him? the fact that, you know, the same him? the fact that, you know, the same message has to sort of be reiterated message has to sort of be reiterated message has to sort of be reiterated over and over again because either over and over again because either over and over again because either people don't hear it or they don't people don't hear it or they don't people don't hear it or they don't believe it or they don't adopt it. believe it or they don't adopt it. believe it or they don't adopt it. >> Once an avid runner, at 79, Dr. Fouchy >> Once an avid runner, at 79, Dr. Fouchy >> Once an avid runner, at 79, Dr. Fouchy now powerwalks, flanked by federal now powerwalks, flanked by federal now powerwalks, flanked by federal agents.

agents. agents. >> What's that all about? >> What's that all about? >> What's that all about? >> That's sad. The very fact that a public >> That's sad. The very fact that a public >> That's sad. The very fact that a public health message to save lives triggers health message to save lives triggers health message to save lives triggers such venom and animosity to me that it such venom and animosity to me that it such venom and animosity to me that it results in real and credible threats to results in real and credible threats to results in real and credible threats to my life and my safety, but it bothers me my life and my safety, but it bothers me my life and my safety, but it bothers me less than the hassling of my wife and my less than the hassling of my wife and my less than the hassling of my wife and my children. children. children. >> They've been threatened. >> They've been threatened. >> They've been threatened. >> Yeah. I mean, like, give me a break. >> Yeah. I mean, like, give me a break. >> Yeah. I mean, like, give me a break. >> Have there been death threats against >> Have there been death threats against >> Have there been death threats against you and your family? All All of you, you and your family? All All of you, you and your family? All All of you, your daughters, your daughters, your daughters, >> not just me, but hassling. harassment >> not just me, but hassling. harassment >> not just me, but hassling. harassment against the rest of the family. against the rest of the family. against the rest of the family. >> As the director of infectious disease >> As the director of infectious disease >> As the director of infectious disease research for the government, Dr. Fouchy research for the government, Dr. Fouchy research for the government, Dr. Fouchy told us not one pathogen he studied from told us not one pathogen he studied from told us not one pathogen he studied from HIV to H1N1 to Ebola has been as HIV to H1N1 to Ebola has been as HIV to H1N1 to Ebola has been as puzzling as SARS KV2, the virus that puzzling as SARS KV2, the virus that puzzling as SARS KV2, the virus that causes COVID 19. He says we need to causes COVID 19. He says we need to causes COVID 19. He says we need to figure out how common it is for people figure out how common it is for people figure out how common it is for people who have had the virus to be reinfected who have had the virus to be reinfected who have had the virus to be reinfected and study the long-term effects of the and study the long-term effects of the and study the long-term effects of the disease. If you talk to a significant disease. If you talk to a significant disease. If you talk to a significant number of people, they will tell you number of people, they will tell you number of people, they will tell you that for anywhere from weeks to months that for anywhere from weeks to months that for anywhere from weeks to months and possibly longer and possibly longer and possibly longer that they have symptoms that are that they have symptoms that are that they have symptoms that are characterized by fatigue and a thing characterized by fatigue and a thing characterized by fatigue and a thing that they refer to as brain fog, which that they refer to as brain fog, which that they refer to as brain fog, which really means a difficulty concentrating.

really means a difficulty concentrating. really means a difficulty concentrating. The other thing that we're seeing that's The other thing that we're seeing that's The other thing that we're seeing that's a bit disturbing is that the degree of a bit disturbing is that the degree of a bit disturbing is that the degree of cardiovascular abnormalities cardiovascular abnormalities cardiovascular abnormalities by scans and by other diagnostic tests. by scans and by other diagnostic tests. by scans and by other diagnostic tests. It may be insignificant, but I don't It may be insignificant, but I don't It may be insignificant, but I don't know that now. All right. Busy busy. know that now. All right. Busy busy. know that now. All right. Busy busy. >> In 2016, during an outbreak of the Zika >> In 2016, during an outbreak of the Zika >> In 2016, during an outbreak of the Zika virus, Dr. Fouchi showed us around the virus, Dr. Fouchi showed us around the virus, Dr. Fouchi showed us around the vaccine research center he helped create vaccine research center he helped create vaccine research center he helped create where for 20 years he has led a team of where for 20 years he has led a team of where for 20 years he has led a team of scientists developing vaccines for scientists developing vaccines for scientists developing vaccines for emerging viruses. A full four years emerging viruses. A full four years emerging viruses. A full four years before CO 19 caused worldwide before CO 19 caused worldwide before CO 19 caused worldwide devastation, Dr. Fouchy told us his devastation, Dr. Fouchy told us his devastation, Dr. Fouchy told us his greatest fear. greatest fear. greatest fear. >> An influenza like respiratoryborn virus >> An influenza like respiratoryborn virus >> An influenza like respiratoryborn virus that's easily transmittable to which the that's easily transmittable to which the that's easily transmittable to which the population of the world has very little population of the world has very little population of the world has very little if any immunity against and that has a if any immunity against and that has a if any immunity against and that has a high degree of morbidity and mortality. high degree of morbidity and mortality. high degree of morbidity and mortality. Something similar to the very tragic Something similar to the very tragic Something similar to the very tragic pandemic flu of 1918. pandemic flu of 1918. pandemic flu of 1918. >> Not only did Dr. Fouchi foresee this >> Not only did Dr. Fouchi foresee this >> Not only did Dr. Fouchi foresee this kind of pandemic. Scientists at the NIH kind of pandemic. Scientists at the NIH kind of pandemic. Scientists at the NIH have spent years preparing for it. In have spent years preparing for it. In have spent years preparing for it. In January, before a single case of CO 19 January, before a single case of CO 19 January, before a single case of CO 19 was confirmed in the US, Chinese was confirmed in the US, Chinese was confirmed in the US, Chinese scientists posted the genetic sequence scientists posted the genetic sequence scientists posted the genetic sequence of the novel corona virus. Based on of the novel corona virus. Based on of the novel corona virus. Based on their prior work on other corona their prior work on other corona their prior work on other corona viruses, NIH researchers edited that viruses, NIH researchers edited that viruses, NIH researchers edited that code so it could be used to make a code so it could be used to make a code so it could be used to make a vaccine. They sent the modifications to vaccine. They sent the modifications to vaccine. They sent the modifications to the biotech company Mona which was able the biotech company Mona which was able the biotech company Mona which was able to manufacture the vaccine and start a to manufacture the vaccine and start a to manufacture the vaccine and start a phase 1 clinical trial within 2 months.

phase 1 clinical trial within 2 months. phase 1 clinical trial within 2 months. A process that used to take years. That A process that used to take years. That A process that used to take years. That vaccine and three others in the US are vaccine and three others in the US are vaccine and three others in the US are now in phase three clinical trials to now in phase three clinical trials to now in phase three clinical trials to see if they are safe and effective. If see if they are safe and effective. If see if they are safe and effective. If the FDA says it's okay to take the the FDA says it's okay to take the the FDA says it's okay to take the vaccine, are you going to take it? vaccine, are you going to take it? vaccine, are you going to take it? >> I'm going to look at the data upon which >> I'm going to look at the data upon which >> I'm going to look at the data upon which the FDA makes that decision. I trust the the FDA makes that decision. I trust the the FDA makes that decision. I trust the permanent professionals in the FDA. The permanent professionals in the FDA. The permanent professionals in the FDA. The director, the commissioner of the FDA director, the commissioner of the FDA director, the commissioner of the FDA has been very public that he will not has been very public that he will not has been very public that he will not let politics interfere. We have an let politics interfere. We have an let politics interfere. We have an advisory committee to the FDA who are advisory committee to the FDA who are advisory committee to the FDA who are made up of independent people who I made up of independent people who I made up of independent people who I trust. Put all those things together. If trust. Put all those things together. If trust. Put all those things together. If the final outcome is that the FDA the final outcome is that the FDA the final outcome is that the FDA approves it, I will take it.