Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, is responding to South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) after she claimed he is “wrong a lot” during her speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
Host Margaret Brennan played a portion of Noem’s speech during Fauci’s Sunday appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation.
“We never focused on the case numbers. Instead, we kept our eye on hospital capacity. Now, Dr. Fauci, he told me that on my worst day I’d have 10,000 patients in the hospital,” Noem said.
She continued, “On my worst day, we had a little over 600. I don’t know if you agree with me, but Dr. Fauci is wrong a lot.”
Brennan noted Noem received a standing ovation for her comments.
She asked Fauci, “How much of an impediment is sentiment like that to the nation’s recovery?”
He replied, “It’s unfortunate but it is not really helpful because sometimes you think things are going well and just take a look at the numbers, they don’t lie.”
Watch their comments below:
FAUCI REACTS: Dr. Anthony Fauci responds to @govkristinoem's criticism at #CPAC that the veteran medical expert is "wrong" on hospital capacity and #COVID19 caseloads:
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 28, 2021
"It's unfortunate but it's not really helpful… just take a look at the numbers they don't lie." pic.twitter.com/y9Xz30lsr0
Fauci continued, “I’m sure that, you know, you can get a standing ovation by saying I’m wrong.”
Noem appeared on “Face the Nation” Sunday after Fauci where she defended her approach to the pandemic and stressed she did listen to health experts.
“You indicated I ignored medical advice, and I didn’t listen to my health experts. I most certainly did. In South Dakota, we took this virus very seriously,” she explained.
Check out part of her interview below:
.@govkristinoem responds to Dr. Fauci's warnings against COVID complacency:
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 28, 2021
"You indicated I ignored medical advice, and I didn't listen to my health experts. I most certainly did," she doubles down in interview with @margbrennan, adding her state took the virus "very seriously" pic.twitter.com/CUxR1SaQhK
Noem said she gave residents of her state “personal responsibility over decisions for their families’ public health, but also gave them the flexibility they needed to keep their businesses open.”
She continued, “South Dakota is doing well. We’ve had some tragic situations, but I know that respecting them in my role, in the authority that I have as governor, has been incredibly helpful to get our state… through this challenging time.”
