As Americans across the country get back to life as usual following the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Gayle King is continuing to take no chances when it comes to protecting her health; and no one is excluded, including family.
The “CBS This Morning” co-host was joined by Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday, July 12, to discuss the rising number of COVID-19 cases, which have been exacerbated due to the continuing transmission of the highly infectious Delta variant.
“The virus itself can transfer much more readily from person to person. We know that from experience in our own country as well as in several other countries. You’re dealing with a real bad active virus,” said President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser of why he’s so concerned about the variant.
Fewer than 50 percent of the U.S. population has received a COVID-19 vaccination and Dr. Fauci stressed the importance of receiving the full dose, which has already proven to be effective against the severity of the illness and its new variant.
“The issue is given the number of the people in the country who are not vaccinated,” he continued. “That really is the concern because the vaccines that we have available, that we are administering throughout the country, do very well against the Delta variant, particularly protecting against severe disease leading to hospitalization.”
King, who has received the vaccination, agreed with the doctor’s advice and told him that there would be consequences for her own family members who have still been hesitant about receiving their shots.
“Dr. Fauci, I don’t know how many more times you can say to people ‘Listen, it will save your life,’ she said. “I have this problem with some members of my own family, which I’m now going to ban from Thanksgiving vacation. That’s how strongly I’m taking what you’re saying.”
In response to the booster shot debate, Dr. Fauci went on to encourage the public to heed recommendations given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration, over any that may come from pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer or Moderna.
