Fauci warns US has not hit ‘Thanksgiving peak’ even as cases soar

On a more concerning front, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Friday that the country has not yet experienced the “post-Thanksgiving peak” in coronavirus infections, even as states across the country have had record surges over the past week.

“We have not yet seen the post-Thanksgiving peak,” Fauci told NBC’s Savannah Guthrie on the “Today” show, adding that the country will likely not see the full impact that Thanksgiving gatherings and travel had until about two to three weeks following the holiday.

“That’s the concerning thing, because the numbers in and of themselves are alarming,” he continued. “And the thing that concerns me is that abuts right on the Christmas holiday, as people start to travel and shop and congregate.”

“That’s the reason that we plead with them to please, as best as you can, uniform wearing of masks, keep distances to the best possible way you can, avoid crowds in congregated settings, particularly indoors, and if you are indoors in that circumstance, always wear your mask,” Fauci added.

New role: He also said in the interview that he accepted President-elect Joe Biden’s request to serve in an expanded role in the administration “right on the spot.”