Although Dr. Anthony Fauci may be retiring as chief medical advisor to President in December, the immunologist claims he is “not even close to” retirement.
He said, “I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do because it is impossible for me to negotiate a job after I’m done in government.” “My general theme, even though it isn’t clear where it will take place, is to keep my foot in science, medicine, and public health.
Fauci has been under seven presidents and covered health crises ranging from Ebola to AIDS. The physician has received both praises and criticism from officials over the course of his five-decade long career.
He stated that he never wanted to hurt anyone, even President Trump. He said that Fauci’s reaction to the virus led him to be “the boogeyman for the far right.”
He stated, “We live now in an age, I believe,” where there is much distortion of reality, conspiracy theories, and untruths.
Even though the doctor has received death threats, he says that he doesn’t dwell on them.
He said, “The hatred and the people who want me to die are not real.” “It’s unrealistic.”
He says that despite the backlash, he kept the job because “it was obvious that if we left telling the truth in an atmosphere of untruths, then nobody would be there telling the truth.”
He said, “When you’re dealing in an outbreak affecting the country or the world, you tend to think of the country like your patient.” “And you can’t just walk away when it gets tough.”
He reflected upon his career and the lessons the nation had learned over the years. He noted that the COVID-19 vaccination development was informed by the country’s response to AIDS.
He said, “We invested heavily in science over decades, and we had a vaccine that passed massive clinical trials within 11 months. That is unheard of.” “We won’t be able stop the emergence of new infections. You can prevent the emergence of a pandemic.
He has been leading the National Institutes of Health for as long as he has been married to Dr. Christine Grady, a world-renowned bioethicist/nurse. He was emotional about his wife, and stated that he wouldn’t have been able to do his job without her.
He said, “She’s just strong.” He said that she was working 18 hours per day, while raising three children and earning a PhD. She also did a very important job.
Fauci received the lifetime achievement award last weekend at the ninth annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards.
He said, “I gave it all I had” when reflecting on his career and life. “I didn’t leave anything on this field.”