The country’s foremost expert on infectious diseases said Thursday that he is glad that no one is now telling him what to say. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci previously vanished from the public view after Trump continually contradicted him and his grim assessments of the pandemic.

Dr. Fauci didn’t mince words and openly discussed how it felt to be serving under a new administration and not having former President Donald Trump constantly looking over his shoulder.

“The idea that you can get up here and talk about what you know — what the evidence, what the science is — and know that’s it, let the science speak. It is somewhat of a liberating feeling,” Dr. Fauci said.

Apart from expressing his feelings, Dr. Fauci warned the public that the health threat from the coronavirus was still a “very serious situation.” He said that health authorities are keeping a very close eye on the new variations of the virus – including the new mutations found in the UK, Brazil, and South Africa.

Dr. Fauci did have some good news for the public. He said that the current vaccines being distributed looks to be effective in treating all of the new variants. He cautioned that even with vaccines, new strains could pop up and ultimately lead to new infections. Dr. Fauci said that mask-wearing and social distancing are still our best defense.