Fauci: Trump Receiving ‘Incorrect’ Information On Coronavirus

Topline

President Donald Trump might be receiving “either out of context or actually incorrect” information about coronavirus, Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN on Monday after being asked about Dr. Scott Atlas, who was added to the White House Coronavirus Task Force last month.

Key Facts

Critical Quote

“When it comes to a mask … I can just tell you how I feel. And what I feel is not very much different from what has been expressed by Dr. Deborah Birx and Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the CDC. Masks are critically important in preventing the transmission and acquisition of SARS coronavirus 2. The data are strong. There’s no doubt about that,” Fauci said.

Key Background

Atlas’ addition to the Task Force has not been well-received by other members, according to NBC News — an employee of the broadcaster overheard Redfield saying of Atlas, “everything he says is false,” in a phone call on a flight.

Tangent

An open letter earlier this month from 78 former colleagues of Atlas’ at Stanford Medical School warned that his advice on coronavirus is dangerous.

Big Number

204,995. That’s how many U.S. coronavirus deaths have been tallied by Johns Hopkins University as of Monday afternoon, as the world closes in on 1 million deaths.

Further Reading

Fauci says he’s concerned about misleading information given to Trump (CNN)

Who Is Dr. Scott Atlas? Trump’s New Covid Health Adviser Seen As Counter To Fauci And Birx (Forbes)

Redfield voices alarm over influence of Trump’s new coronavirus task force adviser (NBC News)

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