Fauci on CDC director’s COVID-19 warning: I don’t know if I would have used ‘impending doom’

Anthony Fauci on Thursday responded to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky’s warning earlier in the week of “impending doom” over rising coronavirus cases.

Speaking in an appearance on CBS “This Morning,” Fauci said that he wasn’t sure if he would’ve used Walensky’s exact words, but said she made a valid case about the country returning to normal too quickly.

“You know, I don’t know if I would use the word ‘impending doom.’ If you talk to Dr. Walensky, which we do every single day, the point she’s making is a valid point,” Fauci said.

“We’re seeing the cases that have plateaued over the last couple of weeks and now they’re starting to inch up. So the point that she was making was very valid. Please be careful. Don’t declare victory prematurely,” Fauci continued. 

Walensky said during a White House briefing on Monday that a fourth wave surge of coronavirus cases could be on the way if the nation loosens coronavirus restrictions too quickly.

“I’m going to lose the script, and I’m going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom. We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are, and so much reason for hope. But right now I’m scared,” Walensky said.

Coronavirus cases have started to inch up nationwide after having leveled off, but they’re still below the nation’s peak in January. Walensky said Monday that the seven-day average of new cases has increased 10 percent to 60,000 cases per day.

Speaking on CBS, Fauci noted the nation gets “more protected” as the days go by, noting that about 3 million people are getting vaccinated daily, and over 50 million have been fully vaccinated. Still, he warned against pulling back too quickly.

“We are going to be able to pull back. We don’t want people to believe that we’re going to be in this situation forever. We’re not. But don’t pull back prematurely,” Fauci said.