Each US state handled the reopening process differently. Fauci says the intention of the government was not to lock down forever, but instead reopen in a measured way as the situation was constantly evolving.

Staying open also depends on the success of contact tracing. This centuries-old practice is key to reducing community spread. Fauci notes that Covid-19 has proven hard to trace due to the high number of people who are infected but exhibit no symptoms. In some communities, 20 to 40 percent of the population is considered asymptomatic. Contact tracing is also more difficult because of mistrust in authorities. For instance, undocumented migrants worry that the information they give might be used against them.

To combat misinformation and disinformation campaigns spread largely through social media, Fauci says we need to recruit well-known, trusted members of communities to help people understand that vaccines are safe and effective.

Fauci is alarmed by the anti-science, anti-vaccine sentiment in the country. According to recent polls, about one-third of Americans say they won’t get the vaccine even if it is free and accessible. If this turns out to be true, he says we would not achieve herd immunity.

Fauci says he is encouraged by the current vaccines in clinical trials and not worried about whether another country develops a successful version before the United States. Countries under the umbrella of the World Health Organization are in constant contact regarding a plan to share a vaccine. Fauci is not concerned about who gets there first.