Coronavirus experts should be able to talk to anyone

In times of crisis, the truth is more important than ever. Knowing the truth helps us take the necessary steps to keep ourselves and our families safe. With the latest and most accurate information, we can make more informed decisions. When it comes to battling the coronavirus, no one in the U.S. is more trusted than Dr. Anthony Fauci. He has regularly appeared at presidential briefings about the virus, offering the latest news, advice and predictions. But he won’t be allowed to speak before a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives examining the U.S. response to the outbreak. President Trump calls the committee’s hearing a “set-up” that is made up of “Trump haters.” Indeed, some of Trump’s harshest critics are on the panel, but what does that matter? Do we want the truth, or do we want to score political points? Interestingly, Fauci is being cleared by the White House to appear next week before a Senate committee which is more politically supportive of the President. So this is political, pure and simple. Muzzling the nation’s top expert, the one Americans look to for truth and guidance during this time of crisis, is not the answer. We want to hear more from Dr. Fauci, not less. And it sure shouldn’t matter if his audience is made up more of Democrats or Republicans.