WHAT DOES DR. FAUCI DO?
Helpful advice on how he handles the pandemic in his daily life.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and also a leading member of the Trump Administration's White House Coronavirus Task Force. He is 79 and is quite prudent in his behavior regarding staying safe from COVID-19.
Reading these simple interview answers given by Dr. Fauci helps to resolve much of the confusion that now persists around the virus, how it spreads and how to keep yourself well. A link to the full interview that included 5 other professional health advisors is found at the end of this article.
Reading these simple interview answers given by Dr. Fauci helps to resolve much of the confusion that now persists around the virus, how it spreads and how to keep yourself well. A link to the full interview that included 5 other professional health advisors is found at the end of this article.
When and where do you wear a mask? It dominates everything I do. The only time I don't wear one is when I am alone, when I am home with my wife, or when I am speaking in public - provided there is 6 feet between me and the people to whom I am speaking.
What precautions do you take in your office? I don't wear a mask when I'm alone in my office, but I slap one on if I walk out into the hall and could pass someone, like my assistant, who also wears one.
Would you dine in a restaurant? I don't eat in restaurants. We do get takeout. We don't do anything inside.
What precautions do you take in your office? I don't wear a mask when I'm alone in my office, but I slap one on if I walk out into the hall and could pass someone, like my assistant, who also wears one.
Would you dine in a restaurant? I don't eat in restaurants. We do get takeout. We don't do anything inside.
Do you have friends over or go to their homes to socialize? On the rare occasion when we have people over, we have them out on the deck, six feet apart, and we never have more than two people, and they are people who themselves are locked in. We wear masks, unless we are eating. We don't share anything. There are no common bowls. Each person has his or her own receptacle. Some people even bring their own glasses. We always do takeout and I tell the takeout people that I want the food in four separate plastic containers, so no one has to touch anyone else's food. Everyone's food is self-contained. Also, we always stay outside. We don't do anything inside. If it's too hot, or rainy, we cancel it.
Would you visit your kids or grandkids? My middle daughter, who teaches school in New Orleans, drove up here...When she got here she went straight through the back entrance into the basement. She stayed in our basement, which has a room with a bed, a shower, electricity, and she did not come upstairs for 14 days. My wife brought food down to her on paper dishes. She lives in a very high risk city, and she wouldn't let us near her. I wanted to hug her when she arrived, but she said: "No way, dad." She came upstairs after 14 days, and then stayed with us for several months.
Do you allow anyone inside your home for repairs, cleaning etc? The only person who comes into the house besides (my wife) Christine and me is the woman who cleans the house once every two weeks. She wears a mask and gloves at all times while in the house.
Do you shop in grocery stores? I do physically go to the grocery store, but I wear a mask and keep my distance. I usually go at odd times...I don't disinfect the bags. In general, I will take the materials out of the bags, then wash my hands with soap and water, and then use Purell, and let everything sit for a day.
Do you allow anyone inside your home for repairs, cleaning etc? The only person who comes into the house besides (my wife) Christine and me is the woman who cleans the house once every two weeks. She wears a mask and gloves at all times while in the house.
Do you shop in grocery stores? I do physically go to the grocery store, but I wear a mask and keep my distance. I usually go at odd times...I don't disinfect the bags. In general, I will take the materials out of the bags, then wash my hands with soap and water, and then use Purell, and let everything sit for a day.
If you had young children, would you send them to school in the fall? It really depends on where you live.
Are you willing to fly or use public transport? I'm 79 years old. I am not getting on a plane...No Metro, no public transportation. I'm in a high risk group, and I don't want to play around.
In addition, Dr. Fauci does not recommend those at risk going to rallies or protests or anywhere where large crowds gather and social distancing is difficult. He does not recommend going to the doctor or dentist right now for routine examinations. He also would not go to a gym. He exercises through daily walks.
Published July 12, 2020