US immunologist Fauci: America’s voice of reason resigns

In the corona pandemic, many Americans saw him as a voice of reason, and US President Biden praised him as a lifesaver. He received death threats online. Now the virologist Fauci has announced his retirement.

Anthony Fauci has long since passed official retirement age: in December, the 81-year-old is also giving up his job as top medical advisor to the President and as head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The immunologist, one of the most influential figures in American health policy, headed the institute for almost 40 years.

Biden: Many lives saved

His announced retirement comes as no surprise: Fauci actually wanted to stop after the end of Trump’s presidency, then continued at Joe Biden’s urging. In a statement, he thanked Fauci and recognized the New York native as a dedicated and wise public servant whose work saved many lives in the United States and around the world.

death threats online

Especially in the first year of the corona pandemic, Fauci was considered by many Americans to be the only voice of reason within government. Ex-President Trump has repeatedly threatened to fire him.

There were death threats against the virologist on the Internet. In the front yards, especially in Fauci’s neighborhood in Washington, many people put up signs that read: “Honk for Fauci” or “We trust Fauci.”

Dedicated to writing and travelling

The expert, who always appears calm and considered, who had already advised President Reagan on the AIDS crisis, explained that he would not retire in the classic way, but wanted to devote himself to writing and traveling from December – and convince young people that it was worth it the service to the community is worthwhile.