Press Release
UNC-Chapel Hill Faces Scrutiny Over COVID-19 Origins Documents
North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall has intensified calls for transparency regarding COVID-19 origins, specifically concerning Dr. Ralph Baric’s research at UNC-Chapel Hill. In a letter dated June 13, Hall requested extensive records related to Baric’s work, echoing an original request from US Right to Know, a nonprofit organization focused on public health transparency. Hall’s push represents a growing demand among lawmakers for clarity about the pandemic’s inception, citing lingering uncertainties five years post-outbreak— “North Carolina and the world deserve transparency,” he stated on social media.
The Right to Know group recently filed a lawsuit against UNC-Chapel Hill, desiring access to over 86,000 pages of documentation concerning Baric, who has received over $200 million in grants for research since 1986. The group argues that the case is critical to public health, given the pandemic’s toll of over one million American lives.
Hall’s request includes communications with legislative bodies and various organizations tied to Baric’s research on coronaviruses, covering a time frame from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2021. UNC-Chapel Hill has affirmed its commitment to legal compliance and transparency, promising a response by June 18.
Dr. Baric, a prominent figure in coronavirus research, has faced accusations regarding the virus’s potential lab origins. Notably, former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield claimed Baric was heavily involved in controversial research projects, elevating public scrutiny around his work.
The ongoing investigations and public requests aim to ensure accountability as numerous entities urge for rapid disclosure of all relevant information surrounding COVID-19’s origins, underscoring the need for comprehensive answers in the name of public health safety.
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