Andrew Marr was branded “unhelpful” in a clash with top USA infectious diseases expert, Dr Anthony Fauci. Dr Fauci, who is leading the White House’s coronavirus task force, was confronted by the BBC host over numerous disparaging comments President Donald Trump has made in his regard. Most recently, the incumbent leader claimed there would have been half a million more deaths if he had followed the doctor’s advice.
When asked about them, Dr Fauci shot back: “I don’t want to get into this conversation about pitting me against the President.
“I need to do my job as a public health official.
“With all due respect, I understand what you have to do and what you’re asking.
“But to go back and forth pitting me against the President isn’t helpful for anything, I don’t think. Sorry.”
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President Trump has also referred to Dr Fauci as an “idiot” and “a disaster”.
When asked how that made him feel, the expert said: “I get asked that question a lot.
“I focus on what I feel is the most important mission – to preserve the health, safety and welfare of the American people directly, and indirectly for the entire world, including the UK, by some of the things we do here.
“I think those other things are just distractions.”
The United States’ number of positive coronavirus cases has now reached a record high.
Over 80,000 new infections were reported on October 23.
This is higher than the previous record of 76,842 in mid July.
The number of people who’ve died after contracting coronavirus has also steadily increased during the last six days.
However it is still significantly below the peak of over 2,000 daily deaths reported in April.