The number of coronavirus cases in the United States on Election Day could be low, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told CNN on Thursday that circulation of COVID-19 could be much lower in November than it is now. He said the number of cases will depend on the actions taken by citizens in the coming months to mitigate the spread of the virus.
“It’s up to us. It’s really within our hands. And I really do believe based on the data we see in other countries and in the United States in states and cities and counties that have done it correctly, that if we pay attention to the fundamental tenets of infection control and diminution of transmission, we could be way down in November,” Fauci said.
“It is entirely conceivable. It isn’t inevitable that we need to be way up there as we get towards election. And I feel that very strongly if we do things correctly and we start right now to do that. Everyone, all states, cities, have to pull together for that,” he added.
Many states have encouraged voters to vote by mail to avoid crowding the polls in person on Election Day and to limit the spread of the coronavirus. President Trump has condemned vote-by-mail in most states because he believes it is susceptible to abuse and fraud.
