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14th May 2020

Trump says top infectious diseases expert’s advice is “not acceptable”

Alan Loughnane

Cori Bush

Trump accused Dr Anthony Fauci of wanting “to play all sides of the equation”.

US President Donald Trump has voiced his displeasure at his top infectious disease expert after he issued a warning about reopening schools and businesses too soon.

Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the White House task force coronavirus expert, warned on Tuesday that relaxing stay-at-home rules too quickly could bring more “suffering and death”.

On Wednesday, Trump accused Fauci of wanting “to play all sides of the equation”.

“I was surprised by his answer, actually,” Trump said.

“It’s just, to me it’s not an acceptable answer, especially when it comes to schools.”

The president’s desire to reopen schools and businesses in order to boost the economy has led to disagreements with Fauci, who has warned repeatedly that a cavalier attitude to reopening the country could cause further deaths.

On Tuesday, Fauci testified to Congress that easing restrictions too soon could lead to an outbreak that they’re unable to control, as scientists continue to try and understand more about the virus.

Trump said the only thing that would be acceptable is to give older teachers and professors a few more weeks off because “this is a disease which attacks age”.

He urged people to look at the statistics when it comes to young people and students, saying they’re “pretty amazing”.

“I think they should open the schools, absolutely. I think they should,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday.

“Our country’s got to get back and it’s got to get back as soon as possible. And I don’t consider our country coming back if the schools are closed.”

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