Fauci estimated lower COVID case fatality rate than he told Congress

Key Points:

• Personal diary entries from early 2020 reveal Dr. Anthony Fauci privately estimated COVID-19's death rate at 0.2-0.3%, much lower than the 1-3% mortality rate he publicly stated to Congress weeks later.
• Fauci testified on March 11, 2020, that COVID-19 was about 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu, citing a mortality rate around 1%, contrasting with his earlier private assessment comparing it to a "bad influenza."
• The diary also highlights Fauci's awareness of his rising national and international fame during the pandemic, with entries noting extensive media coverage and his unique relationship with then-President Trump.
• Fauci served as the director of NIAID throughout the pandemic and remained a key public health figure until his retirement in 2022, with his diary showing meticulous tracking of his media portrayal.
• Fox News sought comments from Georgetown University and Fauci's office regarding discrepancies between his private notes and public statements, but no response was received by publication time.