Lucas Salaberry, Grade 12
UWCRBC
From New York, Anthony Fauci has been the Director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases for almost 40 years. He graduated from Cornell University Medical School and his work has been instrumental in contributing to research for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Now most notably has been front and center in the media regarding what decisions the US has made to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Interviewer: Hi Dr. Fauci, thanks so much for agreeing to be interviewed!
Fauci: It’s my pleasure!
Interviewer: I’ll just start off with a fun introductory question: what made you choose to become an immunologist and go into medicine in the first place?
Fauci: Growing up, I had been exposed to the medical field and saw the impact one’s health can have on their livelihood. Beyond that, I decided that research would be the best route for me because I enjoyed learning about why diseases in particular evolve and what our responses can or should be. As the Director of the NIAI, I have been able to fulfill all these goals of mine, and my current role in my eyes is an extension of these motivations.
Interviewer: Thanks so much for walking us through your thought process, it's great to hear some insight on how your personal interests intersected with your career. Bouncing off that last question, how have you dealt with the immense pressure of your job nowadays?
Fauci: Well, that's a complicated question with a simple answer: I take it one day at a time. You know, even if I need to predict or plan for the future, what really matters is today. We could have double the amount of cases tomorrow, but if we only focus on those next numbers, we will overlook what is needed to be accomplished in our control. Disease control relies on quick immediate action and that is something I always make sure to keep in mind.
Interviewer: Great response, that really makes a lot of sense! A lot of people are questioning your ability to do your job on the basis of your age, do you think this hinders your work and do you see your role as a long-term position?
Fauci: Absolutely not! If anything, my age only has my experience to show and the years of dedication I have put into fighting diseases for the health of my fellow US Americans. But, of course, I entered this position with the unpredictability of a pandemic, so although I don’t know if this is long-term, for now, I am not going anywhere.
Interviewer: Understood! As a final question, having worked with two very different administrations, how has the approach been different, and do you see any difference in response?
Fauci: To preface, they were each at a very different point time where in the beginning although the administration was slow to respond, there was no information compared to the risks and what we have available to us now. In general though, apart from time, the difference is not that noticeable because the values of the safety and health of constituents stay at the core of both.
Interviewer: Well, that's it! Thanks so much for your time today, we look forward to keeping in touch.
Fauci: Thank you!
Image Courtesy: https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fs.abcnews.com%2Fimages%2FPolitics%2Ffauci-flag-rt-jt-200716_1594921300031_hpMain_12x5_992.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FPolitics%2Fpresident-donald-trump-meets-match-anthony-fauci-analysis%2Fstory%3Fid%3D71822115&tbnid=bdSO3okAA5xolM&vet=12ahUKEwjo_5nblqr5AhUVmGoFHRvNB-UQMygKegUIARDHAQ..i&docid=WSGWz-ZhqGyA4M&w=992&h=415&q=president%20fauci%20banner&ved=2ahUKEwjo_5nblqr5AhUVmGoFHRvNB-UQMygKegUIARDHAQ
Interviewer: Hi Dr. Fauci, thanks so much for agreeing to be interviewed!
Fauci: It’s my pleasure!
Interviewer: I’ll just start off with a fun introductory question: what made you choose to become an immunologist and go into medicine in the first place?
Fauci: Growing up, I had been exposed to the medical field and saw the impact one’s health can have on their livelihood. Beyond that, I decided that research would be the best route for me because I enjoyed learning about why diseases in particular evolve and what our responses can or should be. As the Director of the NIAI, I have been able to fulfill all these goals of mine, and my current role in my eyes is an extension of these motivations.
Interviewer: Thanks so much for walking us through your thought process, it's great to hear some insight on how your personal interests intersected with your career. Bouncing off that last question, how have you dealt with the immense pressure of your job nowadays?
Fauci: Well, that's a complicated question with a simple answer: I take it one day at a time. You know, even if I need to predict or plan for the future, what really matters is today. We could have double the amount of cases tomorrow, but if we only focus on those next numbers, we will overlook what is needed to be accomplished in our control. Disease control relies on quick immediate action and that is something I always make sure to keep in mind.
Interviewer: Great response, that really makes a lot of sense! A lot of people are questioning your ability to do your job on the basis of your age, do you think this hinders your work and do you see your role as a long-term position?
Fauci: Absolutely not! If anything, my age only has my experience to show and the years of dedication I have put into fighting diseases for the health of my fellow US Americans. But, of course, I entered this position with the unpredictability of a pandemic, so although I don’t know if this is long-term, for now, I am not going anywhere.
Interviewer: Understood! As a final question, having worked with two very different administrations, how has the approach been different, and do you see any difference in response?
Fauci: To preface, they were each at a very different point time where in the beginning although the administration was slow to respond, there was no information compared to the risks and what we have available to us now. In general though, apart from time, the difference is not that noticeable because the values of the safety and health of constituents stay at the core of both.
Interviewer: Well, that's it! Thanks so much for your time today, we look forward to keeping in touch.
Fauci: Thank you!
Image Courtesy: https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fs.abcnews.com%2Fimages%2FPolitics%2Ffauci-flag-rt-jt-200716_1594921300031_hpMain_12x5_992.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FPolitics%2Fpresident-donald-trump-meets-match-anthony-fauci-analysis%2Fstory%3Fid%3D71822115&tbnid=bdSO3okAA5xolM&vet=12ahUKEwjo_5nblqr5AhUVmGoFHRvNB-UQMygKegUIARDHAQ..i&docid=WSGWz-ZhqGyA4M&w=992&h=415&q=president%20fauci%20banner&ved=2ahUKEwjo_5nblqr5AhUVmGoFHRvNB-UQMygKegUIARDHAQ
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