Dr. Anthony Fauci, the most prominent member of the White House Task Force on COVID-19, just compared the weaknesses in healthcare uncovered by the disease to similar disparities in care during the AIDS crisis. Fauci made the comments on the heels of newly-released data that shows African-Americans disproportionately affected by the coronavirus.
“I couldn’t help but sit there thinking about sometimes when you’re in the middle of a crisis, like we are now with coronavirus, it really does … eventually shine a very bright light on some weaknesses and real weaknesses in our society, ” Fauci said during a press conference this morning, according to the New York Post.
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“As some of you know, most of my professional career has been defined by HIV / AIDS,” he continued. “And if you go back in time, during this period when there was an extraordinary stigma, especially against the gay community. And it wasn’t until the world understood how the gay community responded to this epidemic with incredible courage, dignity, strength and activism – I think it really changed some of the stigma against the gay community. Absolutely.”
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Fauci then went on to draw parallels with COVID-19 and African Americans. “I see a similarity here because health disparities have always existed for the African American community,” Fauci observed. “Here again with the crisis, how it highlights how unacceptable this is because, again, when you have a situation like coronavirus, they are suffering disproportionately…It’s not that they get infected more often, it’s that when they get infected, their underlying medical conditions – diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma – this is the kind of thing that drives them into the ICU and ultimately give it a higher death rate. When this is all over and, as we said, it will end, we will overcome the coronavirus, but there will always be health disparities that we really need to fix in the African American community.”
Fauci’s comments come at a time when the White House has come under wide criticism for its response–or lack thereof–to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for the dissemination of misinformation coming from the President himself.
jayceecook
They might want to take a look at some black communities response to things like social distancing, self isolation, mask wearing, etc. Actually the entire pandemic itself. I read a very good editorial on either CNN or NPR by a black activist calling for his community to take this virus seriously. So much of what he wrote in that piece I see with my own eyes in my neighborhood. There’s a strong parallel to how HIV/AIDS is seen and dealt with as well.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
I read an article explaining how some Black males refuse to wear face masks because it will “make them appear to be criminals”….
jayceecook
Yeah I read that too today. Ironically right after I read the one I mentioned. It was like whiplash. One thing was clear, you could tell the age difference between the authors just by what they wrote.
dougie
A report today in the Washington Post gives accounts of African-American men wearing face coverings being followed by police who suspected that they criminals. It’s no wonder that African-Americans are “non-compliant” with directives about how to protect oneself and others.
Creamsicle
This man is a consummate professional. He does understand why there are these major disparities in health outcomes. I’d like to think he means it when he says that this crisis is an opportunity to FINALLY start addressing the inequality in the way our society has decided to treat people based on race, sexual orientation, or income level.
The man should be made President for the duration of the crisis. I feel terrible that so many scientists at the CDC feel like they need to publicly kiss Trump’s ring or risk being fired. The pandemic response would be mishandled even further after Trump replaces them with a crony.
armandov
Yes! Every WH press briefing related to coronavirus should be led by Dr. Fauci only. Trump should just stay far away and not open his mouth. Ever.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
This man has been unequivocally unbiased, non political, and professional during his almost 40 year tenure. Through SIX ADMINISTRATIONS.
And now because he dares to speak scientific based facts that’s sometimes contradicts the Orange Puppet Turd
he now has a 24/7 security details for himself, home and family because of multiple death threats from abhorrent, noxious. virulent smcubag Trump supporters….
These lemming-like lunatics all deserve the most virulent agonizing painful excruciating debilitating cases of coronavirus…..
succubus
ignorant fool
succubus
I can smell you horrid breath from here and see the foam at the corners of your “I will suck off anyone” mouth and pray to God that you and yours will meet your true fate soon. So very sad here… truly sad here… that I can not see you gasp for your last breath. Just saying.
evanxx
Speaking of major disparities in medical care….as someone who has lived with an AIDS diagnosis since the 80s, we were promised a VACCINE and a CURE forty years ago. We still don’t have either one. Maybe when Dr. Fauci is done kissing Trump’s butt, he could explain why not. Does this mean we won’t have a vaccine for Covid-19 until the year 2060? Don’t make any plans for next year at least because they say we’re still months away from a vaccine. After they discover one, then the human trials and studies must be done before it’s available to the general public.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
God! you take the noxious pernicious troll of the day award!!
You HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH AN AIDS DIAGNOSIS SINCE THE 80’S. There was a time when an AIDS diagnosis virtually assured a horrific brutal death in
3-6 months….
Because of Dr Falchi and others like him you are alive and living with a manageable chronic condition and able to spew your ignorant inane ungrateful stupid arse vitrol.
Rock-N-RollHS
Well you’re still living with AIDS so someone is clearly doing something wrong.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Rock-N-RollHS:
Diabetes
High Blood pressure
Lupus
High cholesterol
Et all
Millions people living with above and dozens more… someone still clearly wrong????
robert_rupp
Agree PLAYS WELL…
ALWAYS find the bitterness , sad. . Cup half empty way to life your life. Think Fauci has been an amazing breathe of honesty and caring , in what other wise has been an administration of lies and corruption
[email protected]
The Doctor’e name is spelled with ONE “c” = Fauci. Please tighten your professional panties and get with the program. It’s called proofreading.