Several US health experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, testified before a Senate committee Tuesday — but they did it via teleconference.

The unusual format was out of an abundance of caution, following potential exposures to the novel coronavirus. Some of the senators were also working remotely, including committee chairman Lamar Alexander, who is self-quarantining after a staff member at his office tested positive for Covid-19.

The hearing was meant to give senators a chance to hear "about what federal, state and local governments are doing to help Americans go back to work and back to school as rapidly and safely as possible," according to a release from the committee.

It came as states across the country have started taking actions to roll back the business closures and stay-at-home orders that were put in place two months ago to try to slow the coronavirus infection rate.

Fauci, who leads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned senators that states and cities face serious consequences if they open up too quickly. He urged states not to reopen until they know they have the capabilities to handle an inevitable uptick in cases once they relax stay-at-home orders.

Lawmakers in Washington practice social distancing during Tuesday's testimony. They are members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Lawmakers in Washington practice social distancing during Tuesday's testimony. They are members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
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Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, answers questions from the committee. During his testimony, Redfield said CDC guidance on reopening states <a target="_blank">could be posted online soon.</a>
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, answers questions from the committee. During his testimony, Redfield said CDC guidance on reopening states could be posted online soon.
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The hearing was led by committee chairman Lamar Alexander, who was at his cabin in Maryville, Tennessee. His dog, Rufus, could be heard barking in the background while he was speaking.
The hearing was led by committee chairman Lamar Alexander, who was at his cabin in Maryville, Tennessee. His dog, Rufus, could be heard barking in the background while he was speaking.
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Sen. Lisa Murkowski stands to get a better view of Fauci's testimony.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski stands to get a better view of Fauci's testimony.
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A Senate staffer wears protective gloves during the hearing.
A Senate staffer wears protective gloves during the hearing.
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Sens. Tim Kaine, left, and Richard Burr greet each other with an elbow bump before the hearing.
Sens. Tim Kaine, left, and Richard Burr greet each other with an elbow bump before the hearing.
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Senators listen to Adm. Brett Giroir, who is the assistant secretary for health at the US Department of Health and Human Services. Giroir told the committee that since March 12, the country has performed more than 9 million Covid-19 tests, while noting it would still take a few more months to ramp up production further. Giroir predicted the United States will be able to produce, distribute and apply "at least 40 to 50 million tests per month" by September.
Senators listen to Adm. Brett Giroir, who is the assistant secretary for health at the US Department of Health and Human Services. Giroir told the committee that since March 12, the country has performed more than 9 million Covid-19 tests, while noting it would still take a few more months to ramp up production further. Giroir predicted the United States will be able to produce, distribute and apply "at least 40 to 50 million tests per month" by September.
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Fauci was subdued but candid in his testimony. "My concern that if some areas — cities, states or what have you — jump over those various checkpoints and prematurely open up, without having the capability of being able to respond effectively and efficiently, my concern is we will start to see little spikes that might turn into outbreaks," he said. Fauci also said schools should not expect a vaccine or widely available treatment for Covid-19 by the time students return to campuses in the fall.
Fauci was subdued but candid in his testimony. "My concern that if some areas — cities, states or what have you — jump over those various checkpoints and prematurely open up, without having the capability of being able to respond effectively and efficiently, my concern is we will start to see little spikes that might turn into outbreaks," he said. Fauci also said schools should not expect a vaccine or widely available treatment for Covid-19 by the time students return to campuses in the fall.
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Sen. Kelly Loeffler attends the hearing in Washington.
Sen. Kelly Loeffler attends the hearing in Washington.
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Sen. Mitt Romney speaks via teleconference behind Sen. Mike Braun. "The President said the other day that President Obama is responsible for lack of vaccine. Dr. Fauci, is President Obama — or by extension President Trump — did they do something that made the likelihood of creating the vaccine less likely?" <a target="_blank">Romney asked.</a> Fauci said neither Trump nor Obama are responsible for the lack of a coronavirus vaccine.
Sen. Mitt Romney speaks via teleconference behind Sen. Mike Braun. "The President said the other day that President Obama is responsible for lack of vaccine. Dr. Fauci, is President Obama — or by extension President Trump — did they do something that made the likelihood of creating the vaccine less likely?" Romney asked. Fauci said neither Trump nor Obama are responsible for the lack of a coronavirus vaccine.
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Tuesday's hearing was a strange reminder of the challenges coronavirus poses and the lengths Congress has gone to try to operate with any semblance of normalcy.
Tuesday's hearing was a strange reminder of the challenges coronavirus poses and the lengths Congress has gone to try to operate with any semblance of normalcy.
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Senators listen to Fauci's testimony. From left are Murkowski, Braun and Rand Paul.
Senators listen to Fauci's testimony. From left are Murkowski, Braun and Rand Paul.
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