Dr. Anthony Fauci, a prominent infectious disease expert, encountered rigorous questioning from Republican lawmakers during his recent appearance before Congress, marking his first public testimony since departing his White House advisory role in 2022.
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has been scrutinizing Dr. Fauci’s actions for over a year regarding his involvement in the pandemic response.
In his testimony on Monday, Dr. Fauci vehemently refuted accusations of concealing information about the virus’s origins, dismissing them as “simply preposterous.”
The origins of the pandemic have been a highly debated topic in the United States, and Dr. Fauci, now retired, became a central figure in the country’s Covid-19 response, garnering both praise and severe criticism.
During the hearing, Dr. Fauci rejected claims of any cover-up regarding a potential lab leak from a facility in Wuhan, China.
He referenced an email from February 2020 where he urged a concerned colleague to investigate the evidence promptly and report any valid concerns to the appropriate authorities.
He stated, “It is inconceivable that anyone who reads this email could conclude that I was trying to cover up the possibility of a laboratory leak.”
Republican lawmakers also questioned Dr. Fauci about allegations of using personal email for official business, which he denied.
These inquiries arose following revelations from a former adviser’s emails, where discussions about using personal email to avoid public records disclosure were disclosed.
Dr. Fauci clarified that he was unaware of the adviser’s use of unofficial email. The adviser, Dr. David Morens, faced bipartisan criticism in his recent testimony before the panel.
Dr. Fauci also addressed inquiries about NIH funding for virology research at the Wuhan lab, emphasizing an open-minded approach to Covid-19’s origin while stating that viruses funded by the NIH could not be the precursor to SARS-CoV-2.
Democratic lawmakers on the subcommittee came to Dr. Fauci’s defense, accusing some Republicans of spreading irresponsible claims.
Representative Raul Ruiz expressed support for Dr. Fauci, acknowledging the intense scrutiny he has faced over the past four years regarding the pandemic’s origins and the government’s response.
Dr. Fauci also revealed the threats he and his family have endured since the pandemic, citing credible death threats and arrests of individuals intending harm.
Despite challenges, Dr. Fauci remains committed to public health efforts and addressing the ongoing pandemic.
Source-BBC
