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Did Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson ‘question whether Dr. Fauci helped create the coronavirus? [1]

['Erin Gretzinger', 'Wisconsin Watch', 'More Erin Gretzinger', 'Reporting Intern']

Date: 2023-02-17 22:57:17+00:00

Reading Time: < 1 minute

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Yes.

In testimony to the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson questioned whether government documents would reveal “Fauci’s attempt to hide his agency’s role in funding dangerous research that might have led to the creation of the deadly coronavirus.”

He added, “We don’t know, because the agencies won’t provide the unredacted documents.”

That same day on the Vicki McKenna radio show, Johnson criticized the government’s response to COVID-19 and spread COVID-related falsehoods.

Johnson falsely stated that Fauci said in a recent paper that the COVID-19 vaccine “doesn’t work.” In fact, Fauci’s paper stated vaccines do not stop all infections but do prevent the most serious symptoms.

Johnson also claimed COVID-19 vaccines caused “a million and a half adverse effects.” The claim is based on the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. However that system provides unverified suspected incidents — not proof of injuries.

This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Ron Johnson Senator from Wisconsin: U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson testimony

IHeart: The Vicki McKenna Show

AP News: Fauci: recent paper doesn’t suggest COVID vaccines ineffective

Cell: Rethinking next-generation vaccines for coronaviruses, influenzaviruses, and other respiratory viruses

USA Today: Fact check: Reports of adverse events due to COVID-19 vaccines are unverified

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If we send you a request to change or remove Wisconsin Watch content from your site, you must agree to do so immediately. You are welcome to republish our articles forusing the following ground rules. For questions regarding republishing rules please contact Andy Hall, executive director, at [email protected] Did Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson ‘question whether Dr. Fauci helped create the coronavirus? <h1>Did Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson ‘question whether Dr. Fauci helped create the coronavirus?</h1> by Erin Gretzinger / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch February 17, 2023 <h2>Yes. </h2> In testimony to the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson questioned whether government documents would reveal "Fauci’s attempt to hide his agency’s role in funding dangerous research that might have led to the creation of the deadly coronavirus." He added, "We don’t know, because the agencies won’t provide the unredacted documents." That same day on the Vicki McKenna radio show, Johnson criticized the government’s response to COVID-19 and spread COVID-related falsehoods. Johnson falsely stated that Fauci said in a recent paper that the COVID-19 vaccine “doesn’t work.” In fact, Fauci’s paper stated vaccines do not stop all infections but do prevent the most serious symptoms. Johnson also claimed COVID-19 vaccines caused “a million and a half adverse effects." The claim is based on the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. However that system provides unverified suspected incidents — not proof of injuries. This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as <a href="https://twitter.com/joe_oslund/status/1623861607313842195?s=20&t=fKDEoeOsp9T0jERdZSWxnA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this one</a>. Sources Ron Johnson Senator from Wisconsin: <a href="https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/services/files/A92E5E4A-4527-4629-944B-277C3A29103B" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson testimony</a> IHeart: <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/139-vicki-mckenna-27246267/episode/the-vicki-mckenna-show-electrification-108621917/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vicki McKenna Show</a> AP News: <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-covid-mRNA-vaccine-fauci-387418337013" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fauci: recent paper doesn’t suggest COVID vaccines ineffective</a> Cell: <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(22)00572-8#%20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rethinking next-generation vaccines for coronaviruses, influenzaviruses, and other respiratory viruses</a> USA Today: <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2022/01/05/fact-check-1-million-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-events-unverified/9103381002/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fact check: Reports of adverse events due to COVID-19 vaccines are unverified</a> This <a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinwatch.org/2023/02/did-wisconsin-sen-ron-johnson-question-whether-dr-fauci-helped-create-the-coronavirus/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinwatch.org">Wisconsin Watch</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/wisconsinwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-WCIJ_IconOnly_FullColor_RGB-1.png?fit=150%2C150&quality=100&ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://wisconsinwatch.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=1276840&ga=UA-17896820-1" style="width:1px;height:1px;">

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