Fauci says Biden and campaign 'know better' than to reach out to him

• Dr. Anthony Fauci revealed that he has not been contacted by presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden for advice on the coronavirus.
• When asked by New York Times opinion columnist Jennifer Senior if Biden or his campaign have reached out to him, Fauci replied, "No. I mean I think they know better. That I'm in a sensitive position."
• The comments mark yet another instance of Fauci trying to remain above the political fray during the pandemic, despite efforts from the Trump administration to undermine his credibility.
• When asked what he would do on the coronavirus response if he were "an executive for the day," Fauci didn't take the bait.
• "But Jennifer, would you want me to say something that's directly contrary to what the president is doing? That's not helpful. Then all of a sudden you don't hear from me for a while."

Dr. Anthony Fauci may not be appearing on TV anywhere, but he made some news Tuesday in his latest print interview.

Jennifer Senior, an opinion columnist for The New York Times, asked Fauci if Biden or his campaign staff have reached out to the nation's leading infectious disease expert.

"No," Fauci replied. "I mean I think they know better. That I'm in a sensitive position."

Fauci has repeatedly tried to remain apolitical during the pandemic, with his Times interview marking another occasion where he has tried to avoid any sort of partisanship.

In his 35 year tenure as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fauci has served under six presidents and refrained from presenting himself as a Republican or Democrat.

Fauci also enjoys high approval among the American public — 65% in the latest Quinnipiac poll — and earned strong marks as the most trusted leader on the coronavirus in Insider's polling with SurveyMonkey back in the spring.

Yet efforts by the Trump administration to undermine his credibility have loomed large, even after the White House backed down in recent days.

The doctor's bind was evident in another question from the Times, when he was asked what he would do about the COVID-19 response if he were "an executive for the day."

"But Jennifer, would you want me to say something that's directly contrary to what the president is doing? That's not helpful. Then all of a sudden you don't hear from me for a while."