US can put lives before politics by fighting virus with science

Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on Thursday accepted "without hesitation" President-elect Joe Biden's invitation to serve as his chief medical adviser and be part of his anti-COVID team.

Four days ago, Scott Atlas, a controversial member of the White House's novel coronavirus task force, resigned as pandemic adviser to President Donald Trump after holding that post for 130 days.

These changes indicate that unlike its predecessor the incoming Biden administration will not act as a science denier in the country's fight against the novel coronavirus.

As of this weekend, the virus has claimed more than 280,000 lives in the US. Given the Trump administration's failure to break the virus's transmission chains－it has actually given up－it is feared that by the time Biden enters the White House, at least 300,000 people would have lost their lives.

In other words, it is necessary that Biden include Fauci in his pandemic-control team. Fauci will not only play a substantial role but also change the former administration's approach toward the pandemic.

Although Biden won the election, it should not be forgotten that at least 74 million US citizens voted for Trump, if not his COVID policy.

Given the US' strengths in vaccine development and manufacturing of medical supplies, if the people can correct the misinformation about the virus that the outgoing administration tried hard to instill in their minds, the US cannot only save itself, but also contribute tremendously to the world's fight against a common enemy.

It is hoped that the incoming administration will amend the US' ties with the World Health Organization as soon as possible and engage the US in international cooperation on pandemic control.

It is also hoped that the new administration will introduce necessary measures in a timely manner to bring the country worst hit by the virus back on track by putting lives before politics.