New evidence of COVID's origins

[Pakuni]

For three years now, the debate over the origins of the coronavirus pandemic has ping-ponged between two big ideas: that SARS-CoV-2 spilled into human populations directly from a wild-animal source, and that the pathogen leaked from a lab. Through a swirl of data obfuscation by Chinese authorities and politicalization within the United States, and rampant speculation from all corners of the world, many scientists have stood by the notion that this outbreak—like most others—had purely natural roots. But that hypothesis has been missing a key piece of proof: genetic evidence from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China, showing that the virus had infected creatures for sale there.

PThis week, an international team of virologists, genomicists, and evolutionary biologists may have finally found crucial data to help fill that knowledge gap. A new analysis of genetic sequences collected from the market shows that raccoon dogs being illegally sold at the venue could have been carrying and possibly shedding the virus at the end of 2019. It’s some of the strongest support yet, experts told me, that the pandemic began when SARS-CoV-2 hopped from animals into humans, rather than in an accident among scientists experimenting with viruses.




https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/03/covid-origins-research-raccoon-dogs-wuhan-market-lab-leak/673390/

[tower912]

I just finished reading that and was pondering posting it. 

This is several data points.  It is not a smoking gun.   The smoking gun will likely not be found.   

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I saw this story this morning also.

I think the best part is "racoon dogs" which in of itself sounds like a mutation.

[mu_hilltopper]

I've tried to care.   If we ever found the 100% truth, it wouldn't change anything. 

The virus began in China, either through negligence, malfeasance, or the galactic stupidity of allowing wet markets.   

The one unifying theme is that China has brought catastrophic misery upon the world.

[Skatastrophy]

I've tried to care.   If we ever found the 100% truth, it wouldn't change anything. 

The virus began in China, either through negligence, malfeasance, or the galactic stupidity of allowing wet markets.   

The one unifying theme is that China has brought catastrophic misery upon the world.

I don't blame them for wet markets. I blame them for hiding the impact of the infection once it jumped to humans. Unconscionable.

Wet markets can be found globally. Gain of function research is extremely valuable. Keeping mum about people dying is hard for me to understand when it comes to communicating with other gov't/scientific organizations. Fine, don't panic the people, but China hid everything from us and that was wholly under their control no matter where the virus jumped to humans first.

[Uncle Rico]

I've tried to care.   If we ever found the 100% truth, it wouldn't change anything. 

The virus began in China, either through negligence, malfeasance, or the galactic stupidity of allowing wet markets.   

The one unifying theme is that China has brought catastrophic misery upon the world.

Yup

[tower912]

I've tried to care.   If we ever found the 100% truth, it wouldn't change anything. 

The virus began in China, either through negligence, malfeasance, or the galactic stupidity of allowing wet markets.   

The one unifying theme is that China has brought catastrophic misery upon the world.

I land in this neighborhood.

[Hards Alumni]

I've tried to care.   If we ever found the 100% truth, it wouldn't change anything. 

The virus began in China, either through negligence, malfeasance, or the galactic stupidity of allowing wet markets.   

The one unifying theme is that China has brought catastrophic misery upon the world.

YEP

[Lennys Tap]

62% of Americans now believe the Covid 19 virus was created in and leaked from a lab

33% believe it came from nature.

54% think the Biden administration is covering up on the nature of its origins

41% believe they’re not.

Common sense.

[rocky_warrior]

43% of Americans trust fox news.

[Hards Alumni]

62% of Americans now believe the Covid 19 virus was created in and leaked from a lab

33% believe it came from nature.

54% think the Biden administration is covering up on the nature of its origins

41% believe they’re not.

Common sense.

100% of people shouldn't care.

[Uncle Rico]

100% of people shouldn't care.

Tracing it to its origin has scientific merit.

[Hards Alumni]

Tracing it to its origin has scientific merit.

Sorry, 99.5% of people shouldn't care.

The only reason people care is so they can play the "told you so" game.

[Uncle Rico]

Sorry, 99.5% of people shouldn't care.

The only reason people care is so they can play the "told you so" game.

This is correct, too.  We’re still not 100% sure where the Spanish Flu began other than knowing it didn’t start in Spain.  We’re pretty sure it started in the United States, though.  One thing we know for certain, regardless of where it began, initial reaction to its emergence was terribly handled

[4everwarriors]

The truth will set you free. Get Fr. Fauci in a smoke filled room until he squeals, aina?

[Uncle Rico]

The truth will set you free. Get Fr. Fauci in a smoke filled room until he squeals, aina?

Along with the White House of the time.  Same thing

[rocky_warrior]

I mean, it's pretty obvious that it came from aliens. 

[Uncle Rico]

I mean, it's pretty obvious that it came from aliens.

Not Jewish space lasers?

[rocky_warrior]

Not Jewish space lasers?

They're purely for "sanitization"

[Uncle Rico]

They're purely for "sanitization"

Didn’t do a very good job

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I mean, it's pretty obvious that it came from aliens.

I thought it was woke CRT that caused it?

[tower912]

It is well established that Lenny and I have diametrically different opinions about what is and isn't common sense.    This is just another example.  Or, if we agreed, I would rethink my position.

[real chili 83]

I mean, it's pretty obvious that it came from aliens.

Space Aliens, or the other kind of aliens?

[tower912]

The Alien wedge?

[ZiggysFryBoy]

81 million Biden voters still wear masks when they are outside alone or in their car alone.