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Topline
The White House has recently launched a new COVID.gov website aimed at providing information about COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. However, the update has raised concerns as it now omits crucial details regarding treatment and prevention methods for the virus.
WASHINGTON, DC: Dr. Anthony Fauci and former President Donald Trump during a coronavirus briefing at the White House on March 24, 2020.
Key Facts
Both COVID.gov and COVIDTESTS.gov now redirect to a site that advocates the “lab leak” theory, which posits that COVID-19 originated from an accidental release at a lab in Wuhan, China, instead of emerging from the Huanan Seafood Market, a claim supported by a March 2020 study in Nature Medicine by international scientists that was frequently referenced by public health authorities throughout the pandemic.
According to a note on the updated site, much of the information comes from the Republican-led House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, which has made its report titled “After Action Review of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Lessons Learned and a Path Forward” available for download on the site.
The report acknowledges that vaccines have “undoubtedly saved millions of lives” by reducing the risk of severe illness and mortality; however, it claims that the Biden administration and public health officials overstated their efficacy.
Additionally, the new website asserts that measures such as mask mandates, social distancing, and lockdowns caused more harm than benefits, also critiquing the response of institutions such as the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health.
The specific timing of this site update remains uncertain, but news outlets like Axios reported that it was launched recently.
An April 10 snapshot from an internet archive reveals that COVID.gov previously offered extensive resources for treatment and prevention, prominently emphasizing the significance of staying current with COVID-19 vaccinations, which reduces the risk of severe illness.
In response to inquiries about the updated website, White House spokesman Kaelan Dorr stated, “The Trump administration has been very clear that, in contrast to the previous administration, we WILL be the most transparent administration in U.S. history. Nothing will stop us from innovating and finding creative ways to uphold our end of the bargain.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend that everyone over six months old receive a COVID-19 vaccine, though there are discussions about possibly refining these recommendations, as reported by CNN.
What Is The Lab Leak Theory?
The lab leak theory, suggesting that the virus escaped from the Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory, has been a topic of discussion since 2020, notably by former President Donald Trump. While the majority of scientists maintain that the virus originated from a seafood market in Wuhan, some federal agencies, including the CIA, have recently shown support for the lab leak scenario. However, no new evidence has come to light to substantiate this theory. The scientific community, including the authors of the influential Nature Medicine report, have firmly disagreed with the lab leak narrative, deeming it improbable. The Chinese government has also rejected these assertions.
Key Background
Donald Trump has criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the pandemic and previously issued a pardon for Dr. Anthony Fauci. In January 2025, former President Biden granted Fauci a pardon to shield him from potential retaliation from Trump. The updated COVID.gov site accuses Fauci of using the Nature Medicine report to promote the narrative that COVID-19 arose from natural sources, while also criticizing the pandemic strategies employed by Fauci’s adviser Dr. David Morens and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Can I Still Get A Free Covid-19 Vaccine?
The Mayo Clinic continues to advocate for COVID-19 vaccinations, even for individuals who have previously contracted the virus. Users can still visit the CDC’s vaccines.gov to locate local pharmacies offering the vaccine. Most health insurance plans cover vaccination costs, but the CDC also provides resources for uninsured individuals.
Further Reading
Measles Updates: 800 Cases In U.S. As Majority Of Outbreak Remains In Texas (Forbes)
Trump Administration Demands Harvard Disclose Foreign Funding—Escalating Feud (Forbes)
Source
www.forbes.com