Saturday, May 16, 2020

Global – 4,300,000/298,000 USA – 1,430,000/87,000 Front page of Washington Post headlines: “Trump’s vaccine timeline doubted”. Quotes by good people like Paul Offit and Peter Hotez doubting the feasibility of the announcement yesterday. This is an example of the problem with the new COMMS people in the WH (Kayleigh et al) absolutely shutting me down regarding approvals for the press. I could have easily explained the plan and put it into context. I ewxplained this to Marc Short on the phone this AM. He said that he and the VP are just as frustrated with the situation. He thinks things will get a little better as the new COMMS team gets better organized. I am not so sure of that. Peter Reiss of the Netherlands sent me a clip showing that I was the “Man of the Week” of the leading Dutch newspapers: Tony, As I was reading through one of our Saturday national newspapers, I suddenly found myself looking at this cartoon of yours, and thought I’ld share: https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/05/16/man-van-de-week-anthony-fauci-a3999906 The artist Sigried Woldhek, since the 70’s, every week draws a picture of a man or woman who is in the news. The accompanying text reads: Who Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Why Fauci, worldfamous expert in the field of infectious diseases and advisor to all US presidents since Ronal Reagan, steadfast continues to provide scientific explanation and advice about the coronavirus and the possible consequences of measures taken and still to be the taken. But president Trump is less and less pleased with that. He called some of Fauci’s remarks during the Senate hearing unacceptable, and the pitbulls from Fox News subsequently attacked Fauci full force. How Watercolour painting. We’re living through unprecedented times as a medical and public health community, but I can only imagine how you and your family must be experiencing these times. You are doing an incredible job, we all stand with you, and I personally send you warm regards, Peter Article in New York Times today by Aexalander Burns, Maggie haberman, Jonathan Martin and Nick Corasaniti – “A President Riles a Nation Amid a Crisis” mentions that Trump is hurting himself by attacking attacking everyone in sight, trashing Obama and “distancing himself from a highy poplar Dr. Anthony Fauci” …………………………………………………………………………………. May 17. 2020 (Sunday) Global – 4,400,000/302,000; USA – 1,460,000/89,000 Continued blocking me from appearing on any press . Also, doing this somewhat for Birx. Deb getting slammed by many in press as caving in to POTUS and not sticking up for her principles. Sunday shows were all about opening up the economy with Tom Frieden, Tom Ingelsby, Scott Gottlieb giving their version and mostly agreeing with me. Navarro still spewing his stuff. What is evolving is that states that are opening thus far are not seeing an increase in cases. In fact, some are seeing decreases. We need another couple of weeks to se what is happening. Interesting that they might be paying attention more to mask use and social distancing as they open. This is true EXECPT for the young people who are going to the bars (Milwaukee) and beaches (South Carolina, Georgia, Florida). There are 2 patterns: Acute outbreaks in nursing homes (1/3 of all dealth are in nursing homes), prisons, and meat packing plants, and industries where workers are in dormitory-like quarters. This is easily recognizable and quickly contained. Then there is the more subtle community spread that gradually accelerates and requires contact tracing. It is conceivable that we will progress in the next weeks with little to modest community spread and many acute outbreaks as described accounting for the spikes that we are seeing and will see. ~6:00 PM received a call from Jared Kushner. He wanted to feel me out about a few things. Primarily he wanted to get my take on Operation Warp Speed. He wanted my perspective on the structure, what it meant, my take on Moncef Slaoui. He did not fully realize and it was good that I explained to him that the development of the COVID-19 vaccine(s), i.e. the science and implementation of trials is WHAT I DO. I asked him to make sure that when new people come in and new structures are formed that we do not “reboot” and re-invent the wheel. We are well into the process and I just do not want any person or organization or structure get in my way. My team is the best that there is. I believe he got it. He wanted to know how the military fits into this. It was clear during the conversation that he is the link to the POTUS and his skepticism about HHS and Azar came through. Nowhere was there mention of the VP, which aligns with what I am witnessing, i.e. the dichotomy between Jared and the POTUS versus OVP. He spoke of the role of the military in logistics and supply. I emphasized that I do not do that; I develop vaccines and do clinical trials. I punt to others to produce and distribute. Also, it is clear that he wants to phase out the Task Force and move on the more of the various agencies of government doing their thing. He will keep Deb Birx, who clearly is in his favor. It seems to me that there is a lot of “palace intrigue” going on or about to go on. We shall see.