Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned that reopening the country prematurely will backfire. He was responding to recent protests against social distancing measures in some states.
Fauci spoke to Good Morning America‘s George Stephanopoulos on Monday. He didn’t criticize the protests directly but his message to those opposed to Coronavirus restrictions was clear.
“Clearly this is something that is hurting from the standpoint of economics and the standpoint of things that have nothing to do with the virus,” Fauci said.
Watch the video:
“But unless we get the virus under control, the real recovery economically is not going to happen.”
“So what you do if you jump the gun and go into a situation where you have a big spike, you’re going to set yourself back,” Fauci went on
.“So as painful as it is to go by the careful guidelines of gradually phasing into a reopening, it’s going to backfire. That’s the problem.”
Conservatives have been protesting against social distancing and stay-at-home orders issued by Democratic governors.
Many have carried signs demanding the country reopen and even comparing social distancing to Communism.
Fauci declined to openly admonish the protesters but it’s clear he doesn’t agree with their position. He’s already become a target for the right, however.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter
Darragh Roche is a journalist covering U.S. politics and media
DHS is preparing for the likelihood of a violent response to the SCOTUS's imminent release…
Trump turned the Pennsylvania Senate primary into a dumpster fire that may cost Republicans a…
Trump advisor and friend Steve Wynn has been sued by the Department of Justice for…
President Biden has immediately and full-throatedly endorsed John Fetterman to be the next US senator…
Rep. Madison Cawthorn has been defeated by state senator Chuck Edwards to win the Republican…
Trump considers Cheney his biggest adversary, which is to say he recognizes that she might…