Is Michael Barone a scientist?

Reading his opinion column in the Daily Herald of July 3, 2024, I was hoping Mr. Barone would/could explain what he was trying to say in his opinion or article.

He seems to imply Dr. Fauci was a fraud and misused large sums of money on research of COVID. As I, a nonscientist, understand it, COVID-19 was and still is a virus based on several sources, mainly SARIS and is deadly if not controlled. Yes, to control an epidemic turning into a pandemic worldwide was, is and always will be a vastly expensive research problem, because the virus changes according to “does anyone know for sure what and why.” Wasn’t the main purpose of Dr. Fauci and scientists around the world to save lives and the never-ending research requires, of course, vast sums of research money. Where these vast sums of money are centralized controlled, as I understand it and I am not a scientist, depends on the respective research institutions involved.

As per scientist this virus was/is an infectious virus diseases. I was wondering why Mr. Barone obviously implies Dr. Fauci and his Institute misled the public of an ever-changing virus and thus, to gain from their research. Or did I misunderstand that.

I am also not sure what Mr. Barone implied with reference to the Wuhan laboratory in China. Has it ever been established where the virus originated? Mr. Barone seems to assume that it was something fraudulently invented/misstated by Dr. Fauci. Could Dr. Fauci foresee how and when the virus changed and whether or not it was created or had a natural resource. Mr. Barone also states the problem is “not so much partisan as institutional.” In other words, he implied that the institution is political. When convenient nowadays, everything is called political, weaponized, witch hunt and more. Maybe Mr. Barone can elaborate more clearly.

Did people die not wearing masks and follow the precaution guidelines? Yes, I personally knew three persons not believing in the suggested precautions.

Rob Johnson

Palatine