Pouch, Trump Absent from COVID-19 Briefing... "Was Not Invited"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and known as the top infectious disease expert in the United States, reportedly did not attend the White House briefing on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as he was not invited. Concerns are growing that the recent rumors of a rift between him and President Donald Trump will intensify.

On the 21st (local time), about an hour before President Trump's COVID-19 briefing resumed after approximately three months, Fauci said in an interview with CNN around 5 p.m., "I have not been invited so far and probably will not be there." On that day, President Trump held a COVID-19 briefing in person for the first time since late April due to worsening public opinion about the COVID-19 situation. However, news of Fauci's absence, who is known as the leading authority in the U.S. on COVID-19 and infectious diseases, fueled further speculation about a conflict with President Trump.

Earlier, in an interview with Fox News Sunday on the 19th, President Trump said, "Dr. Fauci made some mistakes," and described him as "someone who causes unnecessary worry." Fauci revealed that he had his last phone call with President Trump regarding the COVID-19 pandemic over the past weekend and that he had not mentioned anything to the president about this briefing.

Fauci emphasized, "Regardless of political debates or opinions, I want to focus on the work where I believe I can contribute," and added, "If I had attended this briefing, I would have recommended issuing mask mandates and implementing lockdown measures in each state." He further stated, "People should wear masks, wash their hands, and be cautious about indoor contact. This is not rocket science that is hard to understand."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.