We already know that the CDC literally lied about masks not being helpful in the early pandemic in order to protect mask supplies for healthcare workers. We also know that Fauci lied about Gain-of-Function research.

"The NIH has not ever and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology" -- Fauci, under oath to Congress, May 2021.

NIH's Principal Deputy Director Lawrence Tabak contradicted this in writing five months later, confirming funded experiments had produced findings that met the gain-of-function threshold.

-- https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/nih-eco-health-allian...

If we know that there were deliberate lies were said about certain aspects of the covid pandemic, why should we assume good intent otherwise, especially from a U.S government that is jhighly influenced by well funded lobbyists?