Fauci, who turns 82, has said he plans to step away from his public role as a national leader on the pandemic once COVID-19 reaches a "steady state". Biden lauded Fauci's work not only on the current pandemic but for the six presidents before him, saying in a statement Monday that Fauci's "commitment to the work is unwavering, and he does it with a unique spirit and scientific integrity." do together.
As he leaves his position in the US government, I know that the American people and the entire world will continue to benefit from Dr Fauci's expertise, which he will carry forward," Biden said. "The United States is strong and healthy because of that. Fauci has been the director of NIAID for 38 years, beginning his term under President Ronald Reagan. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Fauci was well-known for his work on HIV and AIDS and other threats such as Ebola and Zika, the West Nile virus and anthrax attacks in 2001.
"It has been an honour to lead NIAID, an extraordinary institution, through so many scientific and public health challenges over the years. I am extremely proud of my many achievements," Fauci said. Health and Human Services Secretary Javier Becerra, who oversees Fauci's department, said Fauci's decision is one "we all knew would eventually come but hopefully never will." "When I arrived at HHS, the world was a year into the COVID-19 pandemic. I quickly began to rely on Dr Fauci's wisdom and advice in our response, and with his scientific prowess, I was able to break down complex. I cherish the science in simple words to save the American people's lives," Becerra said.
Dr Fauci explained that he did not intend to leave the public health sector for a while but wanted to preserve his remaining years working on personal projects, teaching and writing.
"You can't go on forever. I want to do other things in my career. Even though I'm at an advanced age, I have the energy and passion for pursuing other aspects of my professional career. And I am Going to do it sometime. I'm not sure when, but I don't see myself in this job to the point where I can't do anything else after that," Fauci told CNN at the time.
Fauci said in the same interview, "So that's the reason. It has nothing to do with pressure, nothing to do with all the other crap you hear about; it has no effect on me." In a Washington Post interview published Monday, shortly after Fauci announced his impending role change, Fauci said he was interested in teaching higher education and lecturing about the lessons he had learned throughout his career. He has also mentioned an interest in writing a memoir about growing up in Brooklyn in the 1940s and '50s.
Fauci told The Washington Post, "I love everything about this place. ... But with that said, I said I had to leave sometime." "I don't want to be here so long that I get to the point where I lose a step."