Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a doctor for the National Institutes of Health has become a calming voice of knowledge about the coronavirus during stressful times. At the White House Coronavirus Task Force briefings, he explains scary information in easy-to-understand facts. This was a key reason why the NBA’s Golden Warriors point guard Stephen Curry held an Instagram interview with Fauci.
“The video may not have been as entertaining as watching Stephen Curry hoist a 30-foot jumper,” said USA Today columnist Mark Medina. “But the Golden State Warriors’ star just made the most significant play of his 11-year NBA career.”
Indeed, Curry gets what’s needed now: “Information is power.”
Curry dives into the interview starting with the basics, such as the differences between influenza and Coronavirus. And Fauci brings the facts.
“It’s significantly more serious,” he said. “The mortality of seasonal flu that we confront every year is about 0.1%. The overall mortality of the coronavirus is around 1%. So when people kind of compare it, it’s really, really different in its degree of seriousness.”
Curry attacked questions like why social distancing is important, accessibility of masks and tests, plus… when might professional sports be making a return?
Listening in were 50,000 people, including President Barack Obama, who gave a shout out to the duo and the world. “Listen to the science. Do your part and take care of each other. Thank you, Steph and Dr. Fauci.” Ditto.
One of Fauci’s strongest messages: “It’s not convenient to lock yourself in, it’s not convenient for you [Curry] to not be playing basketball … but we’re going through a time when we have to pull together as a country to not get intimidated and do the kinds of things that can put an end to it.”
As USA Today’s Medina said in his column, “Curry’s interview with Fauci could lead more people to help flatten the curve and save lives.”
Curry has since made a recording of the 28-minute interview available. Watch it below.
Stephen Curry Fauci interview: Sources
Steph Curry’s YouTube Channel
USA Today
NPR