White House Replaces COVID-19 Information sites with Page Promoting Lab Leak Theory
WASHINGTON – The White House has sparked controversy by replacing two government websites dedicated to providing comprehensive information about COVID-19 with a new page focused on the contested theory that the pandemic originated from a laboratory leak in China.The now-redirected websites, covid.gov and covidtests.gov, previously served as key resources for the public, offering guidance on vaccinations, treatment options, testing procedures, and other vital information related to the virus. Visitors to these sites are now automatically directed to a newly launched page titled “Lab Leak. The True Origins of COVID-19,” hosted on the White House website.
This move has reignited the debate surrounding the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. The “lab leak theory” posits that the virus escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a Chinese government laboratory located in Wuhan, China, where the first known cases of the virus were identified. Proponents of this theory suggest that a research accident or security lapse could have led to the initial outbreak.
The new white House webpage dedicates itself to promoting the lab leak theory, presenting arguments and evidence that support the idea that the pandemic’s genesis can be traced back to the Wuhan lab.
The shift in focus comes amid ongoing disagreement within the scientific and intelligence communities regarding the virus’s origins. While a House investigation concluded last December that a lab leak was the most probable cause, federal agencies have released conflicting reports.The Department of Energy,for instance,assessed with “low confidence” that a lab leak may have been the source.
Conversely, a meaningful number of scientists maintain that the virus most likely originated in wild animals before spilling over to humans at a wildlife market in Wuhan. Research published in leading scientific journals has pointed to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market as a possible epicenter of the pandemic,where the virus could have jumped from animals like raccoon dogs to humans.
The closure of the original COVID-19 information websites raises questions about the Biden administration’s approach to public health interaction. Critics argue that prioritizing a contested theory over readily accessible information on vaccines, treatments, and testing could undermine public trust and hinder efforts to combat the virus.
The White House has yet to release a statement about the change.
