Fauci says he wouldn’t go to Trump’s Tulsa rally over coronavirus concerns

Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said that if he had the opportunity, he would not attend President Trump’s campaign rally in Tulsa this weekend due to coronavirus concerns. 

“I’m in a high-risk category. Personally, I would not. Of course not,” the 79-year-old physician told the Daily Beast.

He said that when it comes to Trump’s rallies, “outside is better than inside, no crowd is better than crowd” and “crowd is better than big crowd.”

The rally goes against the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which advises against large gatherings, particularly indoors. 

On Monday the Trump campaign said that attendees on Saturday will be given temperature checks, masks and hand sanitizer before entering the arena. Vice President Pence indicated Tuesday that other venues and outdoor options are being considered for the event. 

Local officials have asked Trump to consider postponing the rally until later in the year due to a spike in coronavirus cases this month. 

The editorial board of the Tulsa World has called on Trump to reconsider hosting the campaign rally in the city, calling it the “wrong time” to do so during the pandemic.

Fauci also told the Daily Breast that companies currently manufacturing coronavirus vaccines have told the administration they will not be ready until the first quarter of 2021.

He did not comment on whether the vaccine should be free but said that if it is not widely available, “you prioritize by people at the highest risks. For example, health workers who deliberately put themselves in harm’s way to help care for people. 

“In addition, those who have comorbidities which put them at a greater risk to be able to develop the complications leading to a poor outcome.”