In a surprising twist, the architect behind New York City’s stringent coronavirus lockdowns has found himself in hot water.
Dr. Jay Varma, once a prominent figure in the city’s public health response, was recently caught on camera admitting to participating in secretive, drug-fueled gatherings during the pandemic.
Caught on Camera
During an undercover investigation by Mug Club Undercover, an organization linked to right-wing commentator Steven Crowder, Dr. Varma was recorded discussing his escapades at underground raves and private sex parties.
He revealed that, despite enforcing strict health guidelines, he attended events that were anything but “Covid-friendly.”
He shared anecdotes about sneaking off to wild parties, renting hotel rooms with friends, and even hosting his own gatherings at home where everyone let loose and took MDMA, commonly known as “molly.”
A Contradiction of Roles
Dr. Varma served as a senior advisor to former Mayor Bill de Blasio, making regular public appearances to promote measures like school closures and vaccine mandates.
In the footage, he appears to boast about managing the city’s entire Covid response, expressing little concern for the hypocrisy of his actions.
“I had to be kind of sneaky about it,” he explained, seemingly unbothered by the conflict between his private life and public persona.
Taking Responsibility
In response to the revelations, Dr. Varma issued a statement claiming he was targeted by a right-wing operative looking to discredit public health officials.
He acknowledged his actions, admitting he participated in a couple of private gatherings during the pandemic but insisted he made those choices in a moment of poor judgment.
“I take responsibility for not using the best judgment at the time,” he said, emphasizing that his priority was always to save lives and promote vaccination.
He defended his efforts, stating he rejects attempts to undermine the importance of public health measures.
Reflecting on the Parties
When pressed about what the private parties were like, Dr. Varma mentioned that he and his wife organized a small gathering in August 2020, where he advised attendees to get tested for Covid beforehand.
While the city was beginning to reopen, restrictions on capacity and indoor dining were still in effect.
He described the experience as fun, noting that it was a way to relieve the pent-up energy everyone felt after months of lockdown.
An Underground Scene
The videos also reveal Dr. Varma’s attendance at an underground dance party in 2021, which he described as exhilarating but risky.
“I was so happy because I hadn’t done that in like a year or whatever,” he recalled, while acknowledging the potential backlash he could have faced if the public found out.
When asked if New Yorkers would criticize him for his actions, he admitted, “Yeah. It would have been a big deal.
It would have been a real embarrassment.”
The Fallout
The pandemic saw NYC implement some of the strictest lockdown measures in the U.S., and in the years that followed, Dr. Varma continued to voice his opinions on public health.
In 2022, he criticized current Mayor Eric Adams for not doing enough to contain the virus’s spread amid new variants.
The fallout from this investigation has raised questions about accountability and the decisions made during one of the most challenging times in recent history.
As public health experts and officials navigate the complexities of a post-pandemic world, Dr. Varma’s story serves as a striking reminder of the discrepancies between public statements and private actions.