06/19/2020

Fauci Says U.S. Still in First Wave of Coronavirus

Understanding where we are in the pandemic

As coronavirus cases continue to increase across the United States, the term “secondwave” and the question of whether we’re in its midst or about to face one are dominating headlines. In states such as Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida, coronavirus cases continue to tick upward. Despite that, plans for reopening continue. What exactly does a “second wave” entail when it comes to a pandemic?

Below is a transcript of a conversation that Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, had Thursday with The Washington Post. It has been edited for length and clarity.

How can we predict the end of one wave and the beginning of another? Can we mark this?

Anthony S. Fauci: You know, you actually cannot predict [a wave]. You can get a good feel by depending on how you respond to the ongoing infection dynamics in the community. You know, the way I explain it is that what you have is you have two forces. You have a virus, [that] if left to its own devices will continue to rapidly go through the population. And then you have your attempt to do something to blunt that progression of virus through society.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.