SAN DIEGO – Yesterday, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) and a key member of the Trump Administration’s White House Coronavirus Task Force, during a conference call organized for members of the New Democrat Coalition. The coalition’s members were invited to ask Dr. Fauci questions following his brief opening remarks. Inquiries ranged in topic, and included everything from testing capacity and speed, to COVID-19’s disproportionate effect on minority communities, to special standards of care that should be taken up by nursing homes.

“Many states across the country are beginning to expand their plans to re-open over this Memorial Day weekend. With every state creating their own timeline and guidance, I asked Dr. Fauci about the spectrum of criteria being used by states, and what steps can be taken in places where the virus is still strongly present,” said Rep. Peters.

“He explained that ‘hot spot’ areas like Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago and other places where the number of cases continue to climb need to exercise extra special caution as they look to re-open. He emphasized that phases in re-opening are crucial and should be used gradually instead of allowing all preventative practices to slide away at once. He also doubled down on the importance of everyone wearing a face covering when out to prevent the virus from spreading, and underscored that those who know they’ve been exposed must quarantine and get tested,” he added.

Dr. Fauci also filled in the lawmakers on various national COVID-19 treatment developments, including the progress being made in vaccine research and production. According to the NIAID director, the rollout of a vaccine is expected to come sometime between late summer and early winter 2021, with a goal to have enough doses for everyone.