The COVID-19 pandemic was a scary period in the history of humanity. Never before has the earth’s population be confined for over 2 years, in what was effectively a house arrest. The “plandemic”, as some called it, revealed more than vulnerabilities in global systems and governance. Beyond exposing deep flaws in crisis preparedness, response, and accountability, it also showed a more sinister side of humanity. A situation where control and enforcement was more important than the democratic discourse.
The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, in its comprehensive final report, provided critical insights into what went wrong and how future pandemics can be mitigated. Spanning oversight on origins, funding, policy responses, and socio-economic impacts, the report underscores lessons that must inform the future. Or so everyone should hope.
Origins of COVID-19: The Lab Leak Hypothesis
The report gave substantial weight to the “lab leak hypothesis,” positing that COVID-19 likely emerged from a laboratory or research-related accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). Early indicators, including a 2023 Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) report, highlighted that WIV researchers had been conducting gain-of-function experiments under suboptimal safety conditions. As former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield testified, “COVID-19 infections more likely were the result of an accidental lab leak than the result of a natural spillover event.”
Key evidence supporting this hypothesis includes:
- Chimeric Virus Research: The WIV’s projects included creating SARS-like viruses, a practice involving genetic manipulation that risked accidental exposure.
- Proximity of Outbreak and Laboratory: Wuhan, the pandemic’s epicenter, houses China’s leading SARS research facility.
- Unverified Zoonotic Evidence: Unlike earlier pandemics, there has been no conclusive proof of COVID-19’s transfer from animals to humans in Wuhan’s markets.
The report also revealed troubling interference from governments and scientific bodies. In an effort to discredit the lab-leak theory, Dr. Anthony Fauci allegedly encouraged narratives supporting a natural origin, raising questions about transparency during the early stages of the pandemic.
Mismanagement of Public Health Systems
Public trust in health institutions eroded as inconsistent messaging and perceived overreach became commonplace. The subcommittee criticized public health officials for exaggerating the efficacy of certain measures, such as mask mandates, and failing to account for adverse consequences. Evidence indicated that:
- Mask Mandates Lacked Scientific Consensus: CDC studies underpinning mask mandates often relied on flawed or incomplete data.
- Economic and Psychological Fallout of Lockdowns: Broad lockdown policies disrupted livelihoods and inflicted long-term harm on mental health, particularly among children.
Additionally, Operation Warp Speed, despite its success in vaccine rollout, was tarnished by concerns over the vaccine approval process and the disregard of natural immunity. Vaccine mandates, according to the report, had “massive collateral damage” and were deemed “counterproductive in many cases.”
Fraud and Abuse in Pandemic Relief
The pandemic’s economic relief programs became breeding grounds for fraud, with at least $64 billion lost in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) claims alone. The subcommittee found that:
- Insufficient oversight mechanisms allowed transnational crime organizations to exploit vulnerabilities in relief systems.
- Enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs saw over $191 billion in fraudulent payments due to poor data management and lack of interagency coordination.
These systemic failures highlight the urgency of integrating robust fraud detection and modernizing financial management systems to safeguard taxpayer funds.
The report heavily criticized pandemic-era school closures, labeling them “unscientific and excessively prolonged.” The closures disproportionately impacted vulnerable communities, deepening pre-existing educational disparities. Key findings include:
- Learning Loss: Students experienced significant setbacks, with many falling years behind in core subjects like mathematics and reading.
- Mental Health: Isolation from peers and teachers exacerbated anxiety and depression, particularly in adolescents.
- Economic Inequality: Students from low-income families faced greater obstacles due to limited access to remote learning tools.
The subcommittee blamed influential teachers’ unions like the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) for delaying school reopenings by lobbying for policies that were “overly broad and unscientific.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) faced scrutiny for its response to the pandemic, particularly its alleged alignment with Chinese government narratives. The subcommittee highlighted the WHO’s failure to hold the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accountable for violating international health regulations. A proposed pandemic treaty, which the report criticized as inadequate, underscores the need for global reform in pandemic governance.
A Path Forward
Chairman Brad Wenstrup emphasized the importance of trust and transparency in future pandemic responses: “Accountability, transparency, honesty, and integrity will regain public trust.” Key recommendations include:
- Reforming Public Health Communication: Agencies must prioritize clarity, backed by sound science, to avoid confusion.
- Strengthening Oversight: Relief programs should implement real-time fraud detection to prevent future exploitation.
- Localizing Stockpiles: The reliance on international supply chains for medical supplies must be minimized, with states maintaining their own reserves.
- Rebuilding Education: Investments in mental health resources and remedial education programs are crucial to mitigate the long-term effects of school closures.
The Select Subcommittee’s report paints a sobering picture of systemic failures and missed opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. It tries also to serve as a roadmap for change. It does not hide, or change one thing, about the public persecution and shaming of all of those that resisted the official line during the crisis.
The subsequent silencing of those voices will forever be remembered as a bleak point in history. One where in a state of panic, people were martyred socially for raising doubts and asking questions. At a dear cost to the global economy. The subsequent wars that broke out have kept us busy. But COVID19 or whatever it is called next, is something that should never be allowed to happen again.
Author Profile
- Lucy Walker covers finance, health and beauty since 2014. She has been writing for various online publications.
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