Dr. Anthony Fauci, Biden’s chief medical adviser, has been getting into many brawls with congressional Republicans over the science regarding mask-wearing and social gatherings. In his most recent brawl during a House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hearing, Rep. Jim Jordan asked Fauci when Americans would be able to stop wearing masks and gather in whatever numbers they pleased.
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates need to remain in place until the “level of infection” in the country improves. Rep. Jordan was just asking for specific metrics and measures about getting to that level.
In typical Fauci fashion, he replied that Americans will get their freedom back “when we get the level of infection in this country low enough. Rep. Jordan asked Fauci to specify and elaborate on what infection level would not be considered a threat, but he wouldn’t budge. He just reiterated that the goal was to “get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible,” adding that this would help lower the number of COVID-19 cases in the county so it’s not a threat.
“What determines when? What measure? Are we just going to continue this forever? When, when do we get to the point, what measure, what standard, objective outcome, do we have to reach before Americans get their liberties and freedoms back?” Rep. Jordan asked.
Rep. Jordan went on to explain how the public health recommendations have affected the rights of millions of people and that people are unable to live freely. He also pointed out how fifteen days to “slow the spread’ have turned into a year of lost liberty and that Americans want to know when they’ll get their freedom back. “I just want to know when Americans will get their First Amendment liberties back. What measures have to be attained before Americans get their First Amendment liberties back?”
Instead of answering the question, Fauci accused Rep. Jordan of “ranting” about lost American liberty and said that the clampdown on civil liberties will end when “the infection is low” enough. He also reiterated that this was a “public health measure” and not a liberties issue, but would offer no further statistics or explanation. Rep. Jordan asked about the First Amendment Rights that have been assaulted last year by COVID-19 restriction, such as attending church. He also pointed out the Biden Administration’s overcrowded migrant facilities, adding that the press isn’t allowed in there because of “covid.”
Fauci warned Rep. Jordan that he was making this “a personal thing” and that his recommendations are not based on personal recommendations, but science. He would not answer Rep. Jordan on what the objective standard is to cease measures on social distancing, avoiding gatherings, and wearing face masks. That’s when Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn came to Fauci’s defense and said in a sarcastic tone that the COVID-19 restrictions would be eased “when 90 percent of the members of Congress get vaccinated.”
“You’re not a doctor, Mr. Clyburn,” Rep. Jordan responded, before asking Fauci again for specific numbers in regards to a full reopening of the country.
By that point, Rep. Jordan’s time officially expired and the next member began speaking. He began asking Fauci for a specific number and that he’d like to have his question answered, in which Rep. Maxine Waters yelled, “You need to respect the chair and shut your mouth!” Rep. Clyburn reiterated right after that they’re going to “handle this” and that Mr. Jordan knows him very well. Jordan thanked Clyburn and the hearing continued.
Whether or not you agree with Jordan’s approach, you have to agree with his point. The CDC does not give specific numbers or guidelines for the end of pandemic restrictions. The site says “very low cases” and that’s not an answer. Democrats just want to keep dangling the carrot until they’ve got nothing else to threaten people with.
