Dr. Fauci testifies before Senate Health committee, focuses on vaccine developments

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on Tuesday told a Senate committee that here are currently eight vaccine contenders in development. He compared the parallel vaccine developments to taking "multiple shots on goal" against the virus.

When asked about the likelihood of reopening colleges for the fall semester, Dr. Fauci responded that it will boil down to keeping students healthy and feeling safe.

Admiral Brett Giroir, the assistant secretary for Health at Health and Human Services, who is also testifying this morning, said it will be possible to administer tests to all students on campuses this fall, and that the CDC will be taking point on the strategy to keep students safe.

"When you pull back on mitigation, you will always see some cases appear," said Fauci. He emphasized that going forward requires a smart, methodical plan to trace cases and administer tests. 

Senator Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, questioned Dr. Fauci about the death toll of the coronavirus in the United States, which currently hovers at about 80,000. Dr. Fauci said the death toll is almost certainly higher. 

Sanders went on to question the four doctors about the availability of the vaccine to all populations once it is available. Doctor Giroir said he shared the senator's concern and will continue to advocate that the vaccine find its way to all Americans in need, regardless of income. 

Fauci, who has been with the NIH since 1984, is testifying before the Senate Health, Education, Labors & Pensions committee on the subject of reopening the country in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

During his opening statement, Dr. Fauci, who has become the public face of the government's scientific response to the pandemic, also discussed the Remdesivir trials, which he called a "modest" success, on which the NIH hopes to build.

Dr. Fauci has so far not touched on the president or the government's logistical response to the pandemic.

Opening remarks by committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), who is currently self-isolating after one of the members of his staff tested positive for coronavirus, summarized the plight of the pandemic and the government response thus far, and clarified that this morning's hearing is bipartisan and focused on the safety and well-being of the American people. He cautioned against "finger pointing."

Leading Senate Democrats may not be on board.

"The fact of the matter is, President Trump has been more focused on fighting against the truth, than fighting this virus – and Americans have sadly paid the price," said Washington Sen. Patty Murray, the top ranking Democrat on the HELP committee.

Also testifying this morning are Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Dr. Stephen Hahn, the commissioner of Food and Drugs at the FDA.