Jim Jordan, Anthony Fauci argue over pandemic restrictions with different perspective

After Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, attacked Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease doctor, with the question about when Americans will have to stop taking public health precautions like wearing a mask and social distancing, at the Congressional hearing on the pandemic turned personal.

During multiple rounds of questioning, Jordan pushed Fauci on the thought of herd immunity and when Americans can go back to normal. “When will American get their freedom back?” Jordan questioned. “We had 15 days to slow the spread, turned into a year of lost liberties.”

According to Fauci, the best way is to gradually lift the restrictions and go back to normal lives. But Jordan pressed hard by interrupting him saying, “give me a number”.

Fauci hinted that they both are looking at things with a different perspective as Jordan is “indicating liberty and freedom” while he “look at it as a public health measure to prevent people from dying and going to the hospital”. Fauci added that people will return to normal once they are all vaccinated.

Due to public health restrictions like wearing a mask and maintaining social distance, Jordan claims that America’s First Amendment has been “trampled” during the previous year.

Fauci said that “we are not talking about liberties; we are talking about a pandemic that killed 560,000 Americans.”

Fauci urged not to make this personal as his “recommendations are not personal”.

During the second round, Fauci was asked by Jordan about when will the infection rate drop and when an American “move on with their lives”.

Reluctant to encourage the idea of herd immunity, as the numbers are to be changed, he said that his best estimate would be new infections drop to 10,000/day.

Fauci added that “at that point up to that point, there would be gradual pulling back of restrictions you’re talking about. Particularly when people are vaccinated more and more.”

Ignoring his response, Jordan asked him how long will it take for infections to drop that low. “Are we going to be here for two years from now and I’ll be asking Fauci the same question?” asked Jordan. To which Fauci replied, “You’re ranting again.”

The United States is reaching that point where the demand for vaccines will slow down and the states will be left with doses sitting on the shelves. Polls have shown that it is most Republican men who have been consistently opposing the vaccines.