Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), was recognized as a national hero on Tuesday by Brooklyn, a borough of New York City, the place where he was born and raised.
Accepting the honor, Dr. Fauci shared his optimism that a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is on its way.
Speaking to people gathered around Brooklyn Borough Hall, the nation’s top infectious disease specialist said via video link, “The vaccine is on its way, folks, so hang in there, hang tough. We’re going to get over this together.”
Eric Adams, Borough President of Brooklyn, said Dr. Fauci was recognized as “a reassuring champion of science and reason who has navigated our nation through turbulent times.”
Brooklyn honored the NIAID director and others during a ceremony just before noon. Dr. Fauci attended the event online.
He said, “This is really a great thrill for me,” adding that he was proud to be recognized as a hero along with other honorees.
Dr. Fauci even recalled his youth in the Bensonhurst, a residential neighborhood in the southwestern section of the New York City, saying he carries Brooklyn in his DNA.
“Whenever people ask me how I put up with all the stuff that goes on in Washington, I have two words for them. It’s called ‘Brooklyn Strong,’” he said.
Dr. Fauci went on to congratulate New Yorkers for keeping a deadly outbreak under control, ending his speech on an optimistic note, predicting that a vaccine is pretty close.
His optimism about a coronavirus vaccine comes a day after Pfizer and BioNTech announced promising interim results of their experimental COVID-19 vaccine, stating that it has been 90% effective at preventing the infection. The vaccine candidate is undergoing phase 3 trials.
Dr. Fauci was honored a week after President Donald Trump stated he might fire the NIAID director after the election.
Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden said he would “immediately reach out to Dr. Fauci and ask him to continue his incredible service to our country.”
Adams praised Dr. Fauci and said he exemplifies the best of public service as the NIAID director, a position that he has been holding since 1984. “It is a privilege to recognize a widely admired public health official and a proud son of Brooklyn, Dr. Anthony Fauci, as one of our COVID heroes,” Adams said.
