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A2 UP FRONT
Saturday 21 March 2020
Trump vs Fauci: President and doctor spar over unproven drug

By RICARDO ALONSO- counterpoint to the Trump
ZALDIVAR administration's upbeat as-
Associated Press sessments of the corona-
WASHINGTON (AP) — In an virus outbreak. For much
extraordinary exchange, longer than that, he's spe-
President Donald Trump cialized in the same calm
and the government's top and persistent repetition of
infectious disease expert, the information he thinks
Dr. Anthony Fauci, publicly his audience — whether
sparred Friday on whether the public or physicians —
a malaria drug would work needs to know.
to treat people with coro- Weeks ago, after Fauci said
navirus disease. that even with all deliber-
The scene played out on ate speed a vaccine could
national television during take a year to 18 months,
the daily White House brief- Trump told a political rally
ing on the outbreak. Anx- one could be ready "rela-
ious for answers, Americans tively soon."
heard conflicting ones from As administration officials
a just-the-facts scientist repeatedly assured the
and a president who oper- public that coronavirus
ates on gut instinct. tests were rapidly becom-
Reporters asked both men ing available, Fauci at a
— first Fauci then Trump President Donald Trump listens as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseas- congressional hearing said
— if a malaria drug called es Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House, Friday, the lack of widespread
hydroxychloroquine could March 20, 2020, in Washington. testing was "a failing" of the
be used to prevent CO- Associated Press system.
VID-19, the disease caused Although Fauci has publicly
by the virus. A day earlier, istration is looking for a way agreed with the notion that Hydroxychloroquine and supported Trump's travel re-
when Fauci wasn't with him to make the drug available there is no magic drug for a similar drug — chloro- strictions to try to keep the
at that briefing, Trump had for emergency use, but in the coronavirus disease. quine — are sold around virus out, he warned the
called attention to the a manner that gives the "Maybe and maybe not, the world under a variety of worst was coming even as
drug. government data about " he said. "Maybe there is, brand and generic names. Trump suggested the crisis
On Friday, Fauci took the whether it's safe and effec- maybe there isn't. We have They can be prescribed was under good control.
reporter's question and got tive. Fauci is director of the to see." off-label by doctors in the Rather than fighting with
right to the point. National Institute of Allergy He struck an upbeat note, United States. They may in- Trump, he stepped up to
"No," he said. "The answer ... and Infectious Diseases while trying not to directly terfere with the coronavirus the podium Friday to say
is no. at NIH and in more than challenge Fauci. being able to enter cells, he's not ruling the drug out,
"The information that you're 30 years has handled HIV, "I think without seeing too and some scientists have but that it must be studied
referring to specifically is SARS, MERS, Ebola and now much, I'm probably more reported possible encour- before making any prom-
anecdotal," Fauci added the new coronavirus. of a fan of that," he said, aging signs in test-tube and ises.
firmly. "It was not done in a Currently, there is no medi- referring to the malaria other small studies. Trump wasn't dialing back
controlled clinical trial, so cine specifically approved drug. "And we all under- Other scientists are skepti- his enthusiasm.
you really can't make any for treating COVID-19. stand what the doctor said cal that those promising "Look, it may work and it
definitive statement about But Trump stuck to what his is 100% correct." test-tube results will trans- may not work and I agree
it." gut was telling him. As the Then the president added, late to benefits for patients. with the doctor," Trump
He went on to explain that two men took turns at the "It's a strong drug. So, we'll Fauci has a track record said. "I feel good about it.
the Food and Drug Admin- podium, Trump said he dis- see." of being the fact-based That's all it is. q

Army closing recruiting stations, moves effort online

By ROBERT BURNS and LO- line activities. He said the duration" of the new virus,
LITA C. BALDOR shutdown is "happening he said, adding that the
Associated Press right now as we speak," Army was having a good
WASHINGTON (AP) — The and may continue through recruiting year so far.
top Army officer said Fri- the weekend. The Army met its enlistment
day that all of the service's The move comes as the goal in 2019, after failing
recruiting stations are now Army works to recover from to hit recruiting numbers a
closing, as the military takes recruiting shortfalls and year earlier, for the first time
more dramatic steps to struggles in recent years, in 13 years.
prevent the spread of the prompting leaders to de- The target goal for recruits
coronavirus. velop more programs to was lowered from 76,500
Gen. James McConville, reach young people on- in 2018 to about 68,000 last
chief of staff of the Army, line. year.
told Pentagon reporters Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy, left, accompanied by Army Secretary Ryan Mc- Army leaders have in-
the service will move to Gen. James McConville, Chief of Staff of the Army, right, speaks Carthy said it's not yet clear creased the number of re-
"virtual" recruiting, wooing at a news conference at U.S. Army Medical Research and De- how long the shutdown will cruiters and beefed up ef-
velopment Command at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Md., Thurs-
recruits more aggressively day, March 19, 2020, where scientists are working to help de- last, saying the service will forts to connect with young
through a variety of social velop solutions to prevent, detect and treat the coronavirus. take things day by day. people through online
media sites and other on- Associated Press "It's all going to depend on sports and similar events.q