Anyone visiting COVID.gov on Friday was surprised to find the website had shifted its focus dramatically. Instead of the expected information about COVID vaccines and boosters, the site now redirects to a page discussing the origins of the coronavirus, specifically linking it to a lab in China.
The new page, titled "LAB LEAK: The True Origins of COVID-19," presents a narrative that suggests the virus likely came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. It claims that a group called EcoHealth used U.S. taxpayer money for risky research that may have contributed to the outbreak. The page also criticizes Dr. Anthony Fauci and other officials for previously dismissing the lab leak theory, which has gained traction in recent months.
The website argues that many in the media and political circles once labeled the lab leak theory as a conspiracy. It points to a publication called "The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2," which it claims was pushed by Fauci to support the idea that the virus emerged naturally. The site asserts that if there was solid evidence for a natural origin, it would have surfaced by now.
In addition to discussing the virus’s origins, the website challenges various COVID-related policies. It questions the effectiveness of mask mandates and states that lockdowns caused significant harm to the economy and people’s mental health, particularly affecting younger individuals.
The page also highlights failures during the pandemic, particularly in New York, where former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration is accused of trying to cover up the consequences of their policies. It mentions that Cuomo and Fauci both claimed the virus "just sort of appeared," which the new site disputes.
In a noteworthy detail, the site claims that President Biden granted Fauci a "full and unconditional pardon" shortly before leaving office, adding to the controversy surrounding Fauci’s role during the pandemic.
All the information on this new website is said to be sourced from the House Oversight Committee, specifically a subcommittee focused on the pandemic. This shift in content reflects ongoing debates about the origins of COVID-19 and the government’s response to the crisis, stirring discussions among the public and officials alike.