Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the U.S. Congress' attending physician, reportedly said in a closed-door meeting this week that he's expecting tens of millions of coronavirus cases in the U.S.
That's the word from a Wednesday-published Axiosstory citing two sources who were "briefed on the meeting" that included Senate chiefs of staff, administrative managers, and more from both major political parties.
Specifically, Monahan is said to have told the private meeting attendees that he expects as many as 70-150 million people in the states to contract the headlines-amassing coronavirus, though this estimation—like those from other health officials—notably includes people who will get sick and make a complete recovery. Also included in such figures are people who will contract the virus without ever feeling seriously ill or showing symptoms.
Monahan, per Axios, also said during the meeting that "about 80 percent" of people who may contract the coronavirus will be "fine."
Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci—director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases—pushed back Wednesday against the public assumptions of some (including Trump) that impending warmer weather will hinder the coronavirus' spread. Fauci also pressed for the cancelation or postponement of events that might draw large crowds, including NBA games.
For more on the U.S. approach to all annoyances—big and small—associated with the novel coronavirus, click here.
