Anthony Fauci, who has been at the forefront of the United States' response to not just the coronavirus pandemic but all infectious disease outbreaks since the 1980s, said on Monday, 18 July that he will retire by the time President Joe Biden's current term ends.
The 81-year-old has been the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) since 1984.
"Obviously, you can't go on forever. I do want to do other things in my career, even though I'm at a rather advanced age," the Italian American, who serves as chief medical advisor to Biden, said to CNN.
Fauci was one of the leads of the White House coronavirus task force under former President Donald Trump.
Talking about Trump, Fauci said that they developed an interesting relationship.
"Two guys from New York, different in their opinions and their ideology, but still, two guys who grew up in the same environments of this city. I think that we are related to each other in that regard."
(With inputs from AFP and CNN.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)