GOP Rep. Asked If Protests Should Be Curbed Due To COVID-19. Fauci Didn't Take The Bait.
During a congressional hearing Friday on the COVID-19 crisis, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) repeatedly tried to score political points by pushing Dr. Anthony Fauci to say that nationwide protests against racism and police brutality should be limited because of the pandemic. But the infectious diseases expert refused to participate in Jordan’s grandstanding, waving off that line of questioning.
“Do protests increase the spread of the virus?” Jordan asked Fauci.
“I think I can make a general statement ...,” Fauci began.
Jordan cut him off with a comment about the number of protesters across the country while still badgering him to answer.
“Crowding together, particularly when you’re not wearing a mask, contributes to the spread of the virus,” Fauci continued.
Rep. @Jim_Jordan asks if protests should be limited.
Dr. Anthony Fauci: "I'm not going to opine on limiting anything. I'm telling you what it is the danger is. You can make your own conclusion about that. You should stay away from crowds no matter where the crowds are." pic.twitter.com/DfgmahK35F— CSPAN (@cspan) July 31, 2020
“Should we limit the protesting?” Jordan asked. “Should government limit the protesting?”
“I’m not sure what you mean,” Fauci said. “I’m not in a position to determine what the government can do in a forceful way.”
In a series of rapid comments, Jordan made an apples-to-oranges comparison between the protests and religious services. The latter are generally held in enclosed spaces indoors, which public health experts have warned are where the virus can spread more easily.
The congressman claimed that “five liberals on the Supreme Court said it’s OK for Nevada to limit church services” — referring to a recent high court decision in which Chief Justice John Roberts joined the four liberal justices in denying a Nevada church’s challenge to a state order limiting religious services to 50 people.
“I don’t know how many times I can answer...
