Sen. Rand Paul had a tense exchange with Dr. Anthony Fauci during a Senate Health Committee hearing Tuesday, telling the public health official he is not the “end all” when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic while pressing him for information about immunity for those who have beaten the disease and the possibility of schools reopening.
Paul, who is the only U.S. senator to have had a confirmed case of COVID-19, said the public health response to the pandemic has been riddled with “wrong prediction after wrong prediction” and that Fauci should not be the one making decisions on issues outside his purview.
“The history of this will be wrong prediction after wrong prediction after wrong prediction,” Paul said. “And as much as I respect you Dr. Fauci, I don’t think you’re the end all.”
“I don’t think you’re one person who gets to make a prediction,” Paul added, regarding decisions about when students can return to their schools.
“I have never made myself out to be the end-all,” Fauci snapped back via videoconference from his office. “I’m a scientist, a physician and a public health official, I give advice, according to the best scientific evidence.”
Sen. Paul discussed the exchange with Dr. Fauci during an appearance on Fox News Tuesday night.
Tony Katz broke down the exchange between Sen. Paul and Dr. Fauci and offered his perspective Wednesday morning.
