As world leaders grapple with COVID-19 and people demand facts
and reassurance, unlikely new stars emerged from the epidemic: public
health officials.
and reassurance, unlikely new stars emerged from the epidemic: public
health officials.
From Anthony Fauci in the U.S. to New Zealand's Ashley Bloomfield
and Noor Hisham Abdullah in Malaysia, these medical professionals
have been calm and clear in doling out health advice devoid of politics
for weeks, and gained a loyal following in the process.
and Noor Hisham Abdullah in Malaysia, these medical professionals
have been calm and clear in doling out health advice devoid of politics
for weeks, and gained a loyal following in the process.
A reassuring presence
Two months ago, hardly anybody knew who they were. Today, they have
become household names and have been called heartthrobs, rockstars
and national heroes on social media, print and TV – not what you'd
expect for three men in suits who can be seen most days speaking
from behind a lectern about facts and data.
become household names and have been called heartthrobs, rockstars
and national heroes on social media, print and TV – not what you'd
expect for three men in suits who can be seen most days speaking
from behind a lectern about facts and data.
Fauci, 79, is the director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases (NIAD) while Bloomfield, 54, and Hisham, 56, are
respectively directors-general of health in New Zealand's and Malaysia's
health ministries.
Infectious Diseases (NIAD) while Bloomfield, 54, and Hisham, 56, are
respectively directors-general of health in New Zealand's and Malaysia's
health ministries.
None of them are cabinet ministers but all three have emerged as the
of their country's response to COVID-19.
of their country's response to COVID-19.
In daily press briefings that have become must-watch TV, they have
updated the public on new cases, calmly explained why lockdown measures
are needed and patiently answered questions on how the virus can
spread and when a vaccine might be ready.
updated the public on new cases, calmly explained why lockdown measures
are needed and patiently answered questions on how the virus can
spread and when a vaccine might be ready.
Amid an unprecedented global pandemic and as governments worldwide
have sometimes been slow to react, introducing confusing measures and
sending contradictory messages, Fauci, Bloomfield and Hisham have
become voices of reason and sources of calm and reassurance.
have sometimes been slow to react, introducing confusing measures and
sending contradictory messages, Fauci, Bloomfield and Hisham have
become voices of reason and sources of calm and reassurance.
Fauci is "the one guy you can trust," notes a Facebook fan page that
has already garnered 75,000 members.
has already garnered 75,000 members.
"Every time I see health director-general Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah,
I feel reassured. The man has been a tower of strength for many Malaysians,"
journalist A. Kathirasen wrote in a glowing commentary in Free
Malaysia Today, calling him a "trusted face" and "a bulwark against
confusion."
I feel reassured. The man has been a tower of strength for many Malaysians,"
journalist A. Kathirasen wrote in a glowing commentary in Free
Malaysia Today, calling him a "trusted face" and "a bulwark against
confusion."
This is in contrast with government members in Malaysia who have
attracted ridicule for some of their advice, including Health Minister
Adham Baba who suggested last month that people drink warm water
as that would help kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
attracted ridicule for some of their advice, including Health Minister
Adham Baba who suggested last month that people drink warm water
as that would help kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
In New Zealand, Health Minister David Clark was demoted last week
after twice breaching lockdown measures to go cycling and go to the
beach with his family.
after twice breaching lockdown measures to go cycling and go to the
beach with his family.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has peddled half-truths and
repeatedly made false promises about testing and cures for COVID-19.
repeatedly made false promises about testing and cures for COVID-19.
Ask the doctor
With politicians falling short, people have turned to Hisham, Bloomfield
and Fauci as the adults in the room and the go-to people for reliable
facts and information.
and Fauci as the adults in the room and the go-to people for reliable
facts and information.
It helps that all three are actual medical doctors, with the requisite
"Dr." in front of their names, and true experts in their fields.
"Dr." in front of their names, and true experts in their fields.
Fauci has led the NIAD since 1984, advised six U.S. presidents, and
battled previous epidemics such as HIV/AIDS, Zika and Ebola.
battled previous epidemics such as HIV/AIDS, Zika and Ebola.
Hisham has been Malaysia's director-general of health since 2013
and continues to work on the side as a senior consultant breast and
endocrine surgeon at Putrajaya Hospital, near Kuala Lumpur.
and continues to work on the side as a senior consultant breast and
endocrine surgeon at Putrajaya Hospital, near Kuala Lumpur.
Bloomfield worked in hospitals in the UK and New Zealand before
joining the health ministry and also spent time at the World Health
Organization in Geneva.
joining the health ministry and also spent time at the World Health
Organization in Geneva.
Aside from their expertise, they have impressed with their hard work.
Fauci has notoriously worked 16-to-18-hour days for the past few
weeks, giving interviews on every network available. Hisham posts
updates on his Twitter and Facebook accounts late into the night and
has been growing visibly tired, prompting dozens of messages from
his followers to "please take a rest." New Zealand newspapers ran
headlines last month noting: "Ashley Bloomfield is Finally Having a
Day Off."
Fauci has notoriously worked 16-to-18-hour days for the past few
weeks, giving interviews on every network available. Hisham posts
updates on his Twitter and Facebook accounts late into the night and
has been growing visibly tired, prompting dozens of messages from
his followers to "please take a rest." New Zealand newspapers ran
headlines last month noting: "Ashley Bloomfield is Finally Having a
Day Off."
Blunt without being alarmist, the three men have consistently focused
on the facts. Not overburdened by policy decisions, their message
has been clear throughout. And online comments have shown
people appreciate their directness.
on the facts. Not overburdened by policy decisions, their message
has been clear throughout. And online comments have shown
people appreciate their directness.
"Let us look into the data, the data will tell us whether we need to
extend (stay at home measures) or not," Hisham characteristically
told a briefing earlier this month. "I can predict, but the reality is
that we have to base on science and facts."
extend (stay at home measures) or not," Hisham characteristically
told a briefing earlier this month. "I can predict, but the reality is
that we have to base on science and facts."
Reliably boring
People have found comfort in Fauci's distinctive Brooklyn accent,
in the regularity of Bloomfield's briefings – held like clockwork at
1 p.m. every day – and in Hisham's daily updates on social media.
in the regularity of Bloomfield's briefings – held like clockwork at
1 p.m. every day – and in Hisham's daily updates on social media.
Just how much people have come to rely on them shows when
they are not sighted for 24 hours or more. Every time Fauci has
been absent from a White House briefing, it has prompted online
panic over whether he has been fired after – once again – setting
Trump straight.
they are not sighted for 24 hours or more. Every time Fauci has
been absent from a White House briefing, it has prompted online
panic over whether he has been fired after – once again – setting
Trump straight.
A low-key image and unassuming air have contributed to the
men's appeal: Hisham has swapped his usual suit and tie for a
blouson jacket with the health ministry's logo at his press briefings,
while Bloomfield has been described as the quintessential civil servant.
men's appeal: Hisham has swapped his usual suit and tie for a
blouson jacket with the health ministry's logo at his press briefings,
while Bloomfield has been described as the quintessential civil servant.
"Nothing Ashley Bloomfield says is particularly remarkable. There
have been no mic-drop moments or snappy zingers... He diligently
and clearly answers reporters' questions," noted Slate writer Tess Nichol.
have been no mic-drop moments or snappy zingers... He diligently
and clearly answers reporters' questions," noted Slate writer Tess Nichol.
"Literally nothing about this messaging is exciting," and yet this is
exactly what people are looking for, she said, calling him a
"mild-mannered health care hero."
exactly what people are looking for, she said, calling him a
"mild-mannered health care hero."
"Ashley Bloomfield's boring civil servant competence is exactly
the balm we need right now."
the balm we need right now."
Coronavirus crush
With half of the world's population confined, bored and looking
for a distraction, the trio's performance over the past few weeks
hasn't just earned them respect, it has turned them into bonafide
stars and matinee idols.
for a distraction, the trio's performance over the past few weeks
hasn't just earned them respect, it has turned them into bonafide
stars and matinee idols.
"Anthony Fauci Is America's Coronavirus Crush," The Atlantic titled
a column last week, asking: "What is it about a crisis that can turn
even a 79-year-old immunologist into a heartthrob?"
a column last week, asking: "What is it about a crisis that can turn
even a 79-year-old immunologist into a heartthrob?"
The New York Times called him a "national treasure" and close to
15,000 people have signed a Change.org petition to get him voted
People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive for 2020.
15,000 people have signed a Change.org petition to get him voted
People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive for 2020.
In New Zealand, a local columnist who jokingly changed her Twitter
name to "Ashley Bloomfield Fan Club" reportedly saw her number of
followers balloon almost overnight, while Slate described the health
director-general as "an unlikely heartthrob" and "rockstar" who has
"New Zealanders' hearts aflutter."
name to "Ashley Bloomfield Fan Club" reportedly saw her number of
followers balloon almost overnight, while Slate described the health
director-general as "an unlikely heartthrob" and "rockstar" who has
"New Zealanders' hearts aflutter."
Fan accounts have been created in Bloomfield's honor on Twitter and
Facebook, and a petition is trying to get him voted New Zealander
of the Year.
Facebook, and a petition is trying to get him voted New Zealander
of the Year.
Hisham's fans have been more restrained but his Facebook posts
are followed every day by dozens of "thank you" notes and messages
calling him a "warrior," an "inspiration," and a "true hero," and at least
one user wrote "I love you so much Datuk," addressing him by his
honorific name, followed by several hearts.
are followed every day by dozens of "thank you" notes and messages
calling him a "warrior," an "inspiration," and a "true hero," and at least
one user wrote "I love you so much Datuk," addressing him by his
honorific name, followed by several hearts.
In perhaps the greatest tribute yet to a top public health official
however, a donut shop in New York state began selling pastries with
Fauci's picture on them last month and has been doing brisk business
ever since.
however, a donut shop in New York state began selling pastries with
Fauci's picture on them last month and has been doing brisk business
ever since.
"I never met a guy that worldwide he is so loved," the shop's owner
Nick Semeraro told CNN. "And a month ago, we never knew his first
and last name."
Nick Semeraro told CNN. "And a month ago, we never knew his first
and last name."
"His political agenda is medical. It's facts... the American public needs
facts now."
facts now."
source : cgtn
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