Mr. President-elect: Please make Dr. Fauci your COVID spokesman on Inauguration Day

Let's step back for a moment. Very little has been said about the incoming administration's plans for how they will manage the COVID crisis, in great part because of their concern about the incoming Trump coup. But the transition team is actively working on their plan to manage the virus while the President-elect is focused on the coup. I thought it important to remind Mr. Biden what is an important part of that plan.<br><br>In a recent interview, Dr. Fauci had this to say about his relationship with the President-elect:<br><br>>“When you have an administration that is working well it makes things a lot easier. I’ve known Joe for some time now, having worked with him during the Obama administration. He’s a terrific person. I think he’s going to be a terrific president. ..” <br>> <br>>“He’s a person I believe I can trust, which is critical because you can’t have an administration where you don’t trust the person at the top that this is going to be taken seriously and scientifically. And I believe he will. I don’t think he’s going to want to fundamentally change the way science is done. I think he knows that science is science and he’ll respect it.” <br><br>Now let's step forward to the day of the Biden inauguration. Joe Biden will be sworn in as the President of the United States. He has said that he will be wearing a mask at the ceremony. Before or after he takes the oath of office, the President-elect should summon Dr. Fauci to the stage. <br><br>Let him introduce Dr. Fauci, and then hand Dr. Fauci the presidential microphone. <br><br>I can't tell you what Dr. Fauci should say at that moment. He is far more qualified than I to make that speech. <br><br>But it is clear that we have not heard the last of COVID-19 in this country. This is an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. From Inauguration Day forward, Americans will know that the President trusts Dr. Fauci, and they should too. <br><br>I'm sure Dr. Fauci will have a lot to say about the virus itself. But the President-elect's introduction and the symbolism of letting Dr. Fauci set the national agenda will be a strong signal to all Americans to comply with his plans. <br><br>And secondarily, it will be one more reminder of the contrast between a president who trusts science with one who trusts his "gut". Both in the campaign and in his administration, President Biden should constantly remind us of the difference that it makes.