Fauci Says People Should Feel Free To ‘Enjoy The Holidays’ With Family This Year — Especially If They’re All Vaccinated

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday that Americans, particularly those who are fully vaccinated, shouldn’t hesitate to spend holidays with their families this year amid the Covid-19 pandemic, clarifying earlier comments he had made that expressed more doubt about whether people could safely gather.

Fauci said on ABC’s This Week he “believe[s] strongly” that Americans can “enjoy the holidays,” “particularly … if you’re vaccinated and your family members are vaccinated.”

Fauci said people can go trick-or-treating for Halloween and can “certainly” spend holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas “with your family.”

The public health expert said holiday celebrations are a reason why he “emphasize[s]

it’s so important to get vaccinated,” because getting the shot brings down community Covid-19 transmission in addition to protecting the person and their family.

When community spread of Covid-19 is lower, “there’s no reason at all” why people “can’t enjoy the holidays in a family way,” Fauci said.