Ohio congressman slams public health officials over COVID response: 'so irresponsible'

Ohio GOP Rep. Brad Wenstrup on Monday claimed that public health officials did not know what to do about the COVID-19 pandemic, and that messaging on the virus has "been all over the place."

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases during the pandemic, testified in front of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on Monday.

Fauci testified that while some scientists initially believed the virus could have been manipulated in the lab, scientists and United States officials now largely believe the virus was transferred from animals to humans. However, Fauci said he still has an "open mind" on where the virus originated from, per CNN.

Wenstrup slammed the mixed messaging from government health officials when it comes to the pandemic's origins, accusing Fauci of not being clear when it comes to gain of function research.

"[Fauci] wants to say that they didn't do gain of function research in Wuhan, China. The fact of the matter is Dr. Tabak, the former acting [National Institute of Health] Director has said yes, we did. So Dr. Fauci has a different definition," Wenstrup said on "Just the News, No Noise. 

Wenstrup also highlighted problems throughout the NIH, saying, "The talk is all over the place. It's been so irresponsible, and the fact that what we have seen in the last few weeks, from the people that worked under Dr. Fauci, how they were doing things that has now gotten Eco Health Alliance de-barred by the NIH, they will no longer get another penny. And Dr. Morens was using Gmail and finding all kinds of ways to avoid public responsibility [and] public accountability."

Wenstrup also lambasted Fauci over his testimony regarding social distancing, claiming there was no real science to back up the six-feet rule that health officials mandated. 

"It wasn't scientific, and today he cited a report from about 100 years ago. And that really wasn't the science. But you can just say someone wrote this 100 years ago, saying you should do social distancing," the congressman said. "I think social distancing made sense. We always try to stay away from infectious people as best we can. That's like a common rule even with with the cold.

"But to say this was a distance that was required and no science behind it and not tell the American people there wasn't science behind it is wrong," he continued. "Because remember, at one point, he said everything I've been telling you has been based on science."

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.