The transcripts show that Republican committee staff, as well as committee members, pressed Fauci on the “lab leak” theory of the coronavirus origins.
Fauci in the transcribed interview suggested that the lab leak theory is not a conspiracy theory and is plausible.
“In total open honesty, I have a completely open mind that it could be either a lab leak or a natural occurrence,” Fauci said in his first day of a two-day interview. “But because something is possible doesn't mean it's equally probable. And if you look at the scientific data, I think the probability weighs much more heavily toward it being a natural occurrence.”
Still, he said the hypothesis itself isn’t a conspiracy theory.
“I think people have made conspiracy aspects from it,” Fauci said. “That in and of itself isn't inherently a conspiracy theory, but some people spin off things from that that are kind of crazy.”
Fauci also was questioned about hallmarks of pandemic policy, like whether the six-foot “social distancing” guidelines had a scientific basis.
“You know, I don't recall. It sort of just appeared. I don't recall, like, a discussion of whether it should be 5 or 6 or whatever,” Fauci said, adding he was not aware of studies that showed the specific benefits of being six feet apart.
Unlike past hearings, Fauci’s testimony will come after the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus released a trove of emails, followed by public testimony from David Morens, a top deputy and longtime advisor to Fauci, about apparent efforts to hide his emails from Freedom of Information Act requests.
While these emails weren’t specifically discussed during the interviews, GOP committee members have indicated they plan to ask Fauci about what he knew of Morens’s conduct under his leadership during the hearing.
