Former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci has drawn a direct connection between the surge in death threats against him and the spread of Covid-19 conspiracy theories by public figures.
The renowned immunologist highlighted this correlation following a tense House hearing on the government’s pandemic response, where he faced intense scrutiny.
Speaking to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on “The Source,” Fauci expressed concern over the dangerous repercussions of baseless accusations linking him to the pandemic. He stated, “It’s a pattern… when someone in the media or in Congress makes a public statement that I’m responsible for the deaths of X number of people or some crazy idea that I created the virus, the death threats escalate.”
During the House Oversight Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, Republican members, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, grilled Fauci on various pandemic-related issues, including the virus origins and government policies. Greene’s heated remarks, which included calling for Fauci to be prosecuted and questioning his credentials, intensified the already contentious atmosphere.
Fauci lamented the impact of such aggressive rhetoric, noting, “So that’s the reason why I’m still getting death threats… performances like that unusual performance by Marjorie Taylor Greene drive up the threats because there are people who believe that kind of nonsense.”
In response to the situation, CNN sought comments from Greene’s office, seeking clarification on her remarks and their potential impact. Fauci’s plea for a more constructive dialogue and the need to combat misinformation underscores the challenges faced by public health officials in navigating the Covid-19 crisis amidst a backdrop of conspiracy theories and hostility.
