Daily US Times: Top US infectious disease expert and a member of the White House’s coronavirus task force Dr. Anthony Fauci called for a cautious approach to reopening the US and implored Americans to wear face masks in public, a remark that odds with President Donald Trump, who is consistently pushing for quick return to normalcy. He also urged people to wear masks.

The member of the White House’s coronavirus task force said: “I want to protect myself and protect others, and also because I want to make it be a symbol for people to see that that’s the kind of thing you should be doing.”

He said he believes that wearing a mask is not “100% effective,” but it is a valuable safeguard and shows “respect for another person.”

The wearing of masks while out in public became a politically charged issue as President Trump repeatedly declined opportunities to wear a mask in public. Last week, he told reporters at a Ford plant in Michigan that he “didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it”. But he did wear a mask while touring parts of the plant.

Trump shared a tweet this week that mocked former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing a mask Monday at a Memorial Day ceremony. Mr Biden responded by calling Trump “an absolute fool.”

Fauci’s remarks the latest instance in which he has struck a more cautious tone on reopening than the President.

Trump has called for schools to quickly reopen nationwide as part of his calls to return to normalcy and for a packed Republican convention in August, going so far as to recently threaten to pull it out of North Carolina unless the Democratic governor can “guarantee” that the arena can be filled to capacity.

The coronavirus vaccine is yet to be found despite several attempts are underway to find one. US only authorize Remdesivir for emergency use. The UK also authorize the drug to treat coronavirus patients.

However, Fauci expressed optimism about a vaccine that could be ready by November or December if “all the things fall in the right place.”

He also cast doubt on the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for coronavirus. But President Trump claimed he was taking daily doses of the drug earlier this month. Mr Trump has history of frequently disregarded guidance from his own administration.

Fauci has previously said his relationship with Trump is not contentious, and Trump has insisted as much previously.

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