Staff Reports
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, informed lawmakers on Monday that he had no influence over the 6-foot social distancing guideline during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. He stated that the rule had no scientific basis and was established at a time when researchers believed the virus was spread through droplets, but later discovered it was aerosolized, making the distance rule ineffective.
Dr. Fauci, who retired from government service in December 2022, asserted that the decision to implement the rule was at the discretion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and it was not his place to publicly challenge their determination. This came after Rep. John Joyce, a Pennsylvania Republican and a doctor, questioned the effectiveness of the 6-foot rule in closing schools and businesses despite lacking substantial scientific grounding.
Dr. Anthony Fauci said it wasn’t his job to stop unproved 6-foot rule during pandemichttps://t.co/WkDnAa6Zxq pic.twitter.com/kZhUTwntgZ
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) June 3, 2024
Congressman Joyce expressed concern over Dr. Fauci not speaking out against the rule at the time, which he believes fostered a lack of trust in American scientists. Dr. Fauci also admitted that the rule seemed to have appeared without a clear basis.
The debate over the origins of the 6-foot social distancing mandate and Dr. Fauci’s involvement in addressing its scientific justification continues to be a key point of contention.
