The Real Reason Dr. Fauci Keeps Ordering Take-Out

Influential immunologists aren't generally considered to be national authorities on the subject of restaurant meals, but Dr. Anthony Fauci has had to answer all sorts of questions in recent times. The long-serving head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has spent the majority of 2020 dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and in doing so, the good doctor has found his public profile higher than ever. 

This is why in April of this year, Dr. Fauci found himself on a Zoom call organized by none other than Kim Kardashian West, and attended by around 36 A-listers, ranging from Aston Kutcher and Mila Kunis to Katy Perry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Orlando Bloom, and 2 Chainz, as reported by CNN. "It was a whole bunch of movie stars and some sports figures and they wanted to know about what they could do to stay safe, about wearing masks and avoiding crowds," said Dr. Fauci himself, describing the experience. "I was impressed by the questions they asked, by their level of sophistication."

The doctor agreed to the one-hour call because he wanted to harness the famous folks' voices into getting "the word out about staying safe." As such, he was happy to answer all sorts of questions about the pandemic situation — and in the process, he revealed his personal stance about take-out food during these trying times. Here's why Dr. Fauci keeps ordering take-out. 

Dr. Fauci's adventures in the land of take-out food came to light when actress Mila Kunis of Black Swan fame asked whether he eats it. Fauci's reply to the question about the safety of take-out food during the pandemic was as adamant as it was heartwarming. "I told her I feel badly about restaurants losing business, and I feel it's almost a neighborly obligation to keep neighborhood restaurants afloat," the doctor revealed. "So even though I can cook at home, several nights a week I go out for take-out purely to support those places." 

Kunis also asked whether Dr. Fauci eats the food straight out of the container, or if he plates it at home. The doctor said that he does both on occasion, before reminding the actress that the real thing to worry about is the eater's hand hygiene. One source revealed that Kunis' husband, Ashton Kutcher, seemed to particularly appreciate Dr. Fauci's pro tips on pandemic-era take-out consumption. "That's it — I'm ordering a pizza — finally!" the actor reportedly exclaimed after hearing the doctor's advice. Here's hoping Kutcher got his pizza in the end, and that everyone involved has remembered to wash their hands like the doctor ordered. As for those of us who have been wary of ordering take-out, this is obviously excellent news. If Dr. Fauci says it's fine, it's probably safe to finally order that pad thai you've been craving for weeks.