It really looks very likely that if those researchers got sick in November that the lab was the source
Do you know if 3 scientists did get sick? Does anyone?
Do you know that they were sick with Covid? Does anyone?
There is no evidence in the public domain that suggests that either scenario is actually true. If the names of the researchers and the medical conditions were known, wouldn't it be easy to put China on the spot by releasing the names? But if you actually don't have them, but only rumors' on the Chinese version of rediitt? Well, the spreading of those rumors serves a purpose no?
freeman3
So the opinions of some western scientists that have worked with researchers with the lab doesnt mean much to me with regard to how safe the lab is.
Really? Because you are better positioned than Peter Daszak to evaluate the situation? Come on. Expertise and in person experience has to be valued.
freeman3
Sometimes scientists seems to be stuck in the weeds of figuring out complex viral sequences, but if the right bats are only coming from that lab.
There are a hundred scenarios possible where the "right bats" could have transmitted the virus that have nothing to do with a "lab accident".
The most probable is that another animal like a Pangolin came into contact with an infected bat somewhere in the supply chain to the wet market.
Its important that there be a complete investigation that clears up these questions. However there is little to be gained in the practical application of that knowledge other than possibly a re-examination of level 4 lab protocols.
What's key to this is that this "reexamination" is not happening in a vacuum. Currently China is demonstrating that they are completely floundering in the public relations battles around the world.
They've scuttled a trade deal with the EU over criticisms of China over the treatment of Uighurs.
They've managed to piss off India, and its reputation around the world is faltering despite its belt and road initiative.
That this Covid 19 conspiracy theory is being played up, is I suspect more to do with the ability to score public relations points against China then anything else.
In reality, what does knowing that Covid 19 came from a bat that was in a lab OR in a pen next to a pangolin do in terms of planning for the next pandemic?
Not much. (Finally knowing where AIDS originated didn't change anything substantially in treating AIDS )
It was the poor reaction by governments after January 2019 that lead to all the deaths. Nations that reacted according to what was learned after SARS did fine. (The CDC actually produced after SARS a protocol, which nations like Australia and Taiwan followed...) And that will be the difference next time too.
And make no mistake, learning with absolute certainty the origins of this round of Covid, won't do anything to fix that. If governments were handed a play book on how to react correctly and simply ignored it... they'll do the same next time.
This "origins" theory has enormous political value and minimal practical value. Please consider that when considering its validity.