White House Trumpets Covid Lab Leak Theory on Web Page That Was Devoted to Health Information

A recent redesign of Covid.gov has raised alarms in the public health community. The site, once a reliable source for COVID-19 guidance and resources, now redirects to a White House page centered on the lab-leak theory of the virus’s origin—featuring partisan messaging and criticism of public health leaders. While some federal agencies have supported the lab-leak possibility, many scientists maintain zoonotic spillover as the most likely explanation.

Public health experts warn that repurposing a trusted health information site for political messaging risks eroding public trust, undermining transparency, and further weakening the nation’s already strained public health infrastructure. Read more from STAT News here.