Anthony Fauci diary shows he urged school closures despite later denials

A set of diary entries released from former U.S. public health chief Anthony Fauci detail his private encouragement of officials to shut schools early in the COVID‑19 pandemic. In a March 15, 2020 entry Fauci wrote that he spoke with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and convinced him to close NYC schools, and that a similar call with Ann O’Leary, chief of staff to California Governor Gavin Newsom, led to California school closures.

Weeks later Fauci publicly claimed he never pushed for school shutdowns, stating in interviews that he advised keeping children in school. The diaries, obtained by Senator Rand Paul’s committee, also contain broader notes on Fauci’s role as the government’s COVID spokesperson and his efforts to shape the narrative on the pandemic’s origins, masks, and vaccines. The contrast between his private notes and later public statements has sparked renewed political scrutiny of his influence on pandemic policy.