Dr. Anthony Fauci praises Gavin Newsom, stresses face masks in Sacramento Press Club chat

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s preeminent epidemic expert and the face of the national coronavirus response effort, had a stern response Wednesday to California’s recent uptick in cases amid reopening.

As the state’s reopening restrictions loosen, Fauci told virtual attendees at a Wednesday talk with the Sacramento Press Club that young people are contributing to the surge.

Young people, he said, “think that now that we’re opening, opening means all or none, black or white. Either no restrictions or lock-down. There’s a big difference between the two.”

So far, the California Department of Public Health has counted over 190,000 cases in the state and 5,632 deaths. These numbers have risen since Gov. Gavin Newsom announced gradual reopening guidelines.

Fauci praised Newsom’s handling of the virus at the state level, but stressed that what matters is the people’s response to state guidelines.

“I think California is starting to see little bits of surges at the community level as they’re opening up,” he said. “I know we’ve gotta get the population to realize that we’re all in this together.”

The Sacramento Press Club broadcast the free discussion live on Facebook Wednesday afternoon. Fauci tuned in from the National Institutes of Health in Washington.

California’s overall numbers of coronavirus cases are rising as the state tests more people. But a Bee analysis found that the rate of positive tests is also going up in much of the state, meaning the spread is worsening.

The infectious disease expert said he’s not “blaming” young people. But when they get together without masks or fail to stay six feet away, their actions can impact vulnerable populations. Masks are essential, he added.

“It’s so understandable, the urge and the need to get back to normal, especially since a lot of that centers around socialization with the people you care about. That’s such a natural instinct in life. Unfortunately, we have to put that aside a bit,” he said.

Fauci also addressed fears of potential about-face in reopening policy. Going back to lock-down, he said, isn’t really necessary — but a “pause” on opening up businesses could happen.

“The good news is that it will end, I promise you,” he said. “The sobering news is that we’ve got a lot of work to do to get there.”

https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article243768302.html