'Public Vaccination and Retirement' Divergent Fates of US COVID Experts

Pouch Holder, Vaccination Amid Public Trust
Bugs Coordinator Dishonorably Resigns After Traveling Against CDC Guidelines

Dr. Fauci has completed his vaccination and is giving a thumbs-up.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The futures of two key figures who led the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) under the Donald Trump administration have diverged sharply.

One maintained a stance opposing President Trump and adhered to preventive measures, earning the public's trust and continuing their reputation into the new administration, while the other acted contrary to their words and chose to retire.

The protagonists are Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), regarded as the top authority on COVID-19 response, and Deborah Birx, White House COVID-19 Task Force coordinator.

On the 22nd (local time), Dr. Fauci publicly received the vaccine developed by Moderna at the NIH Medical Center in Maryland, alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, NIH Director Francis Collins, and six healthcare workers.

Dr. Fauci pledged to dispel concerns about the vaccine through this public vaccination, which was broadcast live on the internet. After receiving the vaccine, he gave a thumbs-up and showed a bright expression.

Before the vaccination, Dr. Fauci said, "What we are seeing now is the culmination of years of research," and added, "I have extreme confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine." He stated that vaccination could protect the country and that through vaccination, "this pandemic will come to an end."

Having experienced conflicts with President Donald Trump during the COVID-19 response, Dr. Fauci is expected to continue working on COVID-19 measures in the next administration at the request of President-elect Joe Biden.

Deborah Birx, White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

In contrast to Dr. Fauci's promotion of his vaccination, Birx, who was called the "American Jung Eun-kyeong," suddenly announced her retirement in a media interview that day. Birx expressed regret, saying, "I will still help in the areas where people think I am needed."

Birx's retirement announcement is effectively a disgraceful resignation. The Associated Press recently reported that during last Thanksgiving, Birx traveled to another state contrary to the guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Following this report, criticism against Birx surged.

Birx's actions were also compared to Dr. Fauci's exemplary behavior in preventing the spread of COVID-19, as he announced that he would not attend family gatherings or travel during last Thanksgiving and Christmas.

While President Trump called Dr. Fauci a "disaster" for not stopping his criticism of the administration's COVID-19 response, Birx was criticized for not rebutting or criticizing President Trump's illogical remarks about COVID-19.

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