One of the most challenging things about COVID-19 is unpacking misinformation. From China’s lies about the disease’s origin, contagiousness, and mortality rate, to the confusion arising from the different ways in which different countries attribute (or don’t attribute) deaths to coronavirus, it’s been difficult to know precisely how big a challenge America is facing. But what happens when it's Americans who are lying about the data?

This story begin on April 1, when Gov. Lamont sent out a tweet explicitly stating that a Connecticut infant died from “complications relating to COVID-19":

Testing confirmed last night that the newborn was COVID-19 positive. This is absolutely heartbreaking. We believe this is one of the youngest lives lost anywhere due to complications relating to COVID-19. (2/3) — Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) April 1, 2020

This is a virus that attacks our most fragile without mercy. This also stresses the importance of staying home and limiting exposure to other people. Your life and the lives of others could literally depend on it. Our prayers are with the family at this difficult time. (3/3) — Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) April 1, 2020

By Friday, though, Candace Owens had some very different information to report. Based on conversations with people who had first-hand knowledge, she contended that Governor Lamont had deliberately lied about the infant’s death.

In a video, Owens, a Connecticut native, explained that she first realized Lamont was lying because of the weasel words “linked to” COVID-19. Lamont is facing a serious shortage of funds in his state, making it important for him to receive federal dollars. Owens stated, without giving away details, that the infant died in a tragic accident at home that “had nothing to do with COVID-19.”

After Owens went public, a reporter asked Lamont about her contention. Lamont immediately handed the question to the state’s very nervous Director of Infectious Diseases, who explained in general terms that his office does not confirm the cause of someone's death.

Here it is! @GovNedLamont pressed today about my earlier report that he LIED about the infant #coronavirus death. Look at this coward as he’s too scared to answer—now claiming they have no idea how the baby died!



It was an at-home tragedy. He should be forced to RESIGN for this pic.twitter.com/lJ2ohO7Gv9 — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) April 3, 2020

The most significant thing that Director said is that it can take the medical examiner months to figure out what actually causes death. In other words, he’s saying that many of those who have died may test positive for COVID-19, but that the presence of COVID-19 in the deceased's body may have nothing to do with what caused the person's death.

By Saturday, Owens was able to give more information about how the infant died, and it definitely wasn’t COVID-19. Instead, a caretaker accidentally suffocated the poor baby and the police responded to a 911 call. With this kind of detail, says Owens, Lamont “KNEW” how the baby had died, and lied anyway, “because he wants more Federal money.”

Since word is getting out— I can now confirm that the infant in CT was accidentally suffocated by its caretaker, who then called the police. @GovNedLamont KNEW this, & then lied to the world by linking it to the #coronavirus because he wants more Federal money.

He should RESIGN. https://t.co/q6L5V55DWh — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) April 4, 2020

Having dropped this bombshell, Owens started to receive word about other suspicious COVID-19 claims:

Georgia Department of Public Health officials have walked back their earlier report that an 11 year old had died from #coronavirus. He would have been the youngest victim in the state.



Just a “reporting error”. Like all the rest of them.https://t.co/kVzSIaWHSS — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) April 3, 2020

Currently, Americans are living in fear, our economy is cratering, and livelihoods are being destroyed – and politicians may be lying for political advantage. There had better be a very serious reckoning at the end of the day. Without it, we will be a broken banana republic, done in by Chinese and American lies.