Fauci Warns Early Reopening Could ‘Set You Back,’ Cause Deaths

Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease official, warned against reopening the economy too soon, telling a Senate panel Thursday that communities doing so risk new coronavirus outbreaks.

Fauci told the Senate Health Committee Tuesday that he’s concerned about cities and states reopening without reaching “checkpoints” outlined by the administration in guidelines to help them decide when it’s safe.

Anthony Fauci speaks via teleconference during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing in Washington, D.C. on May 12.

Photographer: Win McNamee/Getty Images/Bloomberg

“I feel if that occurs, there is a real risk that you will trigger an outbreak that you might not be able to control,” Fauci said. “In fact, paradoxically it will set you back -- not only leading to ...