Fauci wins Webby ‘Person of the Year’

Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical adviser and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), has been named Webby’s “Person of the Year.” 

The company announced the news on Tuesday, saying Fauci was given the distinction for his efforts serving as a trusted voice during the COVID-19 pandemic, by fact-checking false coronavirus claims from former President Trump and for doing interviews with celebrities spreading information about the virus.

“By taking interviews with influencers, celebrities and YouTube creators on their platforms, Dr. Fauci has provided authoritative information on COVID-19 and vaccine development to younger audiences across the Internet,” Webby said in its announcement. 

“For his selfless work in combating harmful misinformation about the global spread of COVID-19 as one of the few credible sources, it is our great privilege to honor Dr. Anthony Fauci as the 2021 Webby Person of the Year.”

The award is given annually to “an individual or group of individuals who have instigated and catalyzed great achievement on the Internet,” according to its website.

Past Webby “Person of The Year” winners include late-night host Stephen Colbert, comedian Louis C.K. and singer-songwriter Frank Ocean, among others.

Webby on Tuesday also presented awards to musician Pharrell Williams, actors Michael J. Fox and Kevin Bacon, and film director Ava DuVernay.

Fauci has maintained a high profile throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and has weighed in on various aspects of reopening in the U.S. after the pandemic, including backing schools reopening completely in the fall.

On Tuesday, Fauci also said it’s “perfectly reasonable” for business to keep their mask mandates after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance for fully vaccinated people last week.