George W. Bush has 'absolute confidence' in nation's coronavirus experts
Former President George W. Bush said that while "these are difficult days for our country," he has "absolute confidence in the experts who are in charge" of the nation's coronavirus response, according to a note emailed to his staff in recent days.
Bush pointed in particular to Debbie Birx and Tony Fauci, two doctors who serve on President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force.
"Laura and I know Deb Birx and Tony Fauci well, as do many of you," Bush said, referring to his wife, Laura Bush. "And we know the character of our county. Like other crises we have overcome, we will come out of this better informed and stronger together."
The former president's praise of Birx and Fauci is especially noteworthy. Birx has served for years as the U.S.'s global AIDS coordinator, while Fauci is the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Both doctors have become mainstays in the Trump administration's response _ with Fauci, in particular, sometimes challenging Trump over policies and positions.
Bush also used the recent staff note, obtained by The Dallas Morning News, to share some insight on how he and his wife are taking care during the outbreak. The couple � who typically split time between Dallas and their ranch in Crawford � are "handwashing and social distancing to the max," he said.
The former president is "reading, painting and riding mountain bikes," while the former first lady is "reading, working puzzles and hiking," he said. "And yes, we're binging � mysteries, dramas and documentaries," he said, referring to watching streaming video.
_ The Dallas Morning News
