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Fauci to face Republican questions over COVID-19 pandemic origins

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Dr. Anthony Fauci is set to testify before Senate Republicans regarding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Republicans are investigating claims of a potential lab leak and Fauci's alleged role in a cover-up.
  • Over 150 scientists have defended Fauci, calling the accusations baseless and highlighting the harassment he and his family have faced.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is scheduled to face questioning from Senate Republicans concerning the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. This hearing marks the second time Fauci has appeared before Congress to discuss the pandemic's beginnings since his retirement in 2022.

no credible evidence has been produced to support these absurd charges

— 150+ infectious disease experts and scientistsIn a public letter defending Dr. Fauci against accusations related to the COVID-19 pandemic's origins.

The investigation, spearheaded by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, focuses on the controversial "lab leak" theory. Republicans aim to scrutinize whether the virus originated from a lab and probe into what they describe as "risky taxpayer-funded life science research." Fauci, who advised both Donald Trump and Joe Biden during the pandemic, is expected to be quizzed on these matters.

The charges against Dr Fauci are baseless, suggesting he covered up the origins of Covid, that he bribed or persuaded other scientists to join his cover-up, that Niaid-funded research sparked the pandemic, that he personally holds patents on the virus, and that he’s working with intelligence agencies to suppress the true story of the pandemic

— 150+ infectious disease experts and scientistsDetailing the specific accusations leveled against Dr. Fauci in a public letter.

However, the inquiry has drawn sharp criticism from the scientific community. In a public letter, more than 150 infectious disease experts and scientists defended Fauci, denouncing the accusations as "absurd" and "baseless." They stated that "no credible evidence has been produced to support these absurd charges" and urged lawmakers to cease what they termed "witch-hunts."

five-year period of harassment and threats of violence directed at Dr Fauci and his family

— 150+ infectious disease experts and scientistsDescribing the impact of the allegations on Dr. Fauci and his family in their public letter.

The letter further detailed the severe personal toll the allegations have taken, citing "five-year period of harassment and threats of violence directed at Dr Fauci and his family." Scientists involved in the inquiry have characterized Paul's investigation as "vilification and harassment" of Fauci, who led NIAID for 38 years. Fauci, who has served under seven U.S. presidents and navigated numerous health crises, including HIV and Ebola, became a prominent public figure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

vilification and harassment

— ScientistsCharacterizing Senator Rand Paul's investigation into Dr. Fauci.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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