A state funded Georgia university has awarded Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who has presided over the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with an award for “social courage.”
“Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, one of the nation’s leading infectious disease experts and a steadfast voice of science, facts, and medical best practice during one of the most significant public health challenges in U.S. history, is this year’s recipient of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage,” Georgia Tech University said in a statement.
Fauci is now the chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden.
Calling Fauci the “trusted face in the fight against COVID-19,” Georgia Tech said the award “honors individuals who have stood up for moral principles at the risk of their careers and livelihoods.”
There is no evidence that Fauci, who has worked for the federal government for 50 years, risked his career or livelihood in his capacity as a COVID-19 advisor.
In fact, Fauci suggested that the federal government should impose a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 in April, but said the exact opposite – that America did not need to lockdown – in November. There were never any repercussions, professionally or on the media circuit, after Fauci changed his mind.
Still, Georgia Tech honored him.
“Dr. Fauci’s resolve in the face of extraordinary threats to our public health here at home and abroad make him the clear choice for Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage,” Georgia Tech’s President Ángel Cabrera said in the school’s statement. “As an institution of higher learning committed to bettering the human condition through our motto of Progress and Service, there could be no better person suited to receive this honor than a man who has unflinchingly relied on science and facts in the face of tremendous public and political pressure.”
The award also comes with a cash prize.
It “provides a stipend of $100,000 to the awardee or a charitable contribution to a non-profit in honor of the awardee.”
It is not yet known what Fauci will do with the money.
– – –
Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Dr. Anthony Fauci” by Georgia Tech.
