The Trump administration has replaced Covid.gov- a website that once provided Americans with access to information about free tests, vaccines, treatment and secondary conditions such as long Covid. On Friday, the White House unveiled a revamped Covid-19 website that promoted the contentious theory that the virus leaked from a Chinese laboratory.
The update marks a sharp shift in tone as the newly revamped Covid-19 website blames the origins of the coronavirus on a lab leak in China and criticises former president Joe Biden. The site includes intense criticism of Dr Anthony Fauci, who helmed national Covid policies under Donald Trump and Joe Biden, the World Health Organization (WHO) and state leadership in New York.
ALSO READ: "Everyone out, no photos": White House briefing ends abruptly, Trump's press conference cut short
It also targets Anthony Fauci for advancing what it calls the "preferred narrative that Covid-19 originated naturally." Websites such as Covid.gov and Covidtests.gov were formerly government-run websites where Americans could receive information on long COVID, vaccine options and testing resources.
But as of Friday local time, the administration redirected those seeking out the websites to information critical of former top US health official Anthony Fauci and the World Health Organization — favouring a laboratory leak theory.
It presents five bullet points aimed at bolstering the lab leak theory, noting that Wuhan, the site of the first known coronavirus case, is also home to China's "foremost SARS research lab" and has a history of conducting research at "inadequate biosafety levels." COVID-19 health guidelines could no longer be found on the redirected site.
ALSO READ: Anti-Trump protests in 50 US states: List of cities hosting rallies on Saturday
"By nearly all measures of science, if there was evidence of a natural origin it would have already surfaced. But it hasn't," the website said.
“This administration prioritizes transparency over all else,” according to a senior administration quoted in Fox News, in spite of evidence to the contrary. “The American people deserve to know the truth about the Covid pandemic and we will always find ways to reach communities with that message.”
The lab-leak theory, once dismissed as a conspiracy theory, has recently gained mainstream traction in the United States.
ALSO READ: What is 50501 movement, activist network fuelling anti-Trump and Elon Musk protests across US?
Even as the debate remains unresolved -- scientifically and politically -- US agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Energy have come out in support of the theory, albeit with varying levels of confidence.
Earlier this year, the Central Intelligence Agency shifted its official stance on the virus's origin, saying that it was "more likely" leaked from a Chinese lab than transmission from animals.
The assessment drew criticism from China, which said it was "extremely unlikely" Covid-19 came from a laboratory. Beijing also urged the United States to "stop politicizing and instrumentalizing the issue of origin-tracing."
The United States and China are currently locked in a major trade war, with Washington announcing Thursday new port fees for Chinese-linked ships and increased tariffs for Chinese goods.
ALSO READ: In anti-Trump protest, millions to hit streets at Washington Park, Chicago this Saturday: 10-point explainer
Under a section titled "Covid-19 misinformation," it also accused public health officials under the previous administration of demonizing "alternative treatments" and colluding with social media companies to censor dissenting views about the pandemic -- a charge frequently echoed by US conservatives.
The Biden administration has previously rejected the charge that it was suppressing or censoring conservative perspectives.
ALSO READ: Anti-Trump sentiments mounting? Massive protests planned in 50 US states and over 11 million expected to take part
The website revamp comes after layoffs began earlier this month at major US health agencies, as the Trump administration embarks on a sweeping and scientifically contested restructuring that will cut 10,000 jobs.
Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr -- who has alarmed health experts with his rhetoric downplaying the importance of vaccines -- said the layoffs were part of a major reform of his department, aiming to refocus efforts on chronic disease prevention.
More than one million people died of Covid-19 and related illnesses in the United States, and millions more fell victim to the disease around the world.
(With inputs from AFP)
The update marks a sharp shift in tone as the newly revamped Covid-19 website blames the origins of the coronavirus on a lab leak in China and criticises former president Joe Biden. The site includes intense criticism of Dr Anthony Fauci, who helmed national Covid policies under Donald Trump and Joe Biden, the World Health Organization (WHO) and state leadership in New York.
What does the revamped Covid-19 website looks like?
Earlier, the Covid.gov website focused on promoting vaccine and testing information about the virus. But now, it now includes a full-length image of President Donald Trump and criticizes the pandemic policies implemented under former president Joe Biden.ALSO READ: "Everyone out, no photos": White House briefing ends abruptly, Trump's press conference cut short
It also targets Anthony Fauci for advancing what it calls the "preferred narrative that Covid-19 originated naturally." Websites such as Covid.gov and Covidtests.gov were formerly government-run websites where Americans could receive information on long COVID, vaccine options and testing resources.
But as of Friday local time, the administration redirected those seeking out the websites to information critical of former top US health official Anthony Fauci and the World Health Organization — favouring a laboratory leak theory.
It presents five bullet points aimed at bolstering the lab leak theory, noting that Wuhan, the site of the first known coronavirus case, is also home to China's "foremost SARS research lab" and has a history of conducting research at "inadequate biosafety levels." COVID-19 health guidelines could no longer be found on the redirected site.
ALSO READ: Anti-Trump protests in 50 US states: List of cities hosting rallies on Saturday
"By nearly all measures of science, if there was evidence of a natural origin it would have already surfaced. But it hasn't," the website said.
“This administration prioritizes transparency over all else,” according to a senior administration quoted in Fox News, in spite of evidence to the contrary. “The American people deserve to know the truth about the Covid pandemic and we will always find ways to reach communities with that message.”
Why has this gained traction?
It is pertinent to note that the origin of the SARS-COV2 virus has been a hot topic of debate since the emergence of pandemic from Wuhan, China. The central question in the debate is whether the coronavirus accidentally escaped from a Wuhan laboratory that researched such viruses, or if it emerged naturally through a "spillover" event at a nearby market known for selling produce, seafood, meat, and live exotic animals.The lab-leak theory, once dismissed as a conspiracy theory, has recently gained mainstream traction in the United States.
ALSO READ: What is 50501 movement, activist network fuelling anti-Trump and Elon Musk protests across US?
Even as the debate remains unresolved -- scientifically and politically -- US agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Energy have come out in support of the theory, albeit with varying levels of confidence.
Earlier this year, the Central Intelligence Agency shifted its official stance on the virus's origin, saying that it was "more likely" leaked from a Chinese lab than transmission from animals.
The assessment drew criticism from China, which said it was "extremely unlikely" Covid-19 came from a laboratory. Beijing also urged the United States to "stop politicizing and instrumentalizing the issue of origin-tracing."
The United States and China are currently locked in a major trade war, with Washington announcing Thursday new port fees for Chinese-linked ships and increased tariffs for Chinese goods.
ALSO READ: In anti-Trump protest, millions to hit streets at Washington Park, Chicago this Saturday: 10-point explainer
Website criticises masks and social distancing
The new site, which apparently seeks to redefine the political narrative about Covid-19, also criticized the mask and social distancing mandates introduced at the start of the pandemic in 2020. There is also a map of Wuhan that is animated to throb.Under a section titled "Covid-19 misinformation," it also accused public health officials under the previous administration of demonizing "alternative treatments" and colluding with social media companies to censor dissenting views about the pandemic -- a charge frequently echoed by US conservatives.
The Biden administration has previously rejected the charge that it was suppressing or censoring conservative perspectives.
ALSO READ: Anti-Trump sentiments mounting? Massive protests planned in 50 US states and over 11 million expected to take part
The website revamp comes after layoffs began earlier this month at major US health agencies, as the Trump administration embarks on a sweeping and scientifically contested restructuring that will cut 10,000 jobs.
Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr -- who has alarmed health experts with his rhetoric downplaying the importance of vaccines -- said the layoffs were part of a major reform of his department, aiming to refocus efforts on chronic disease prevention.
More than one million people died of Covid-19 and related illnesses in the United States, and millions more fell victim to the disease around the world.
(With inputs from AFP)
Read More News on
(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.
