As some of you may have noticed, the theory that the source of the COVID-19 pandemic may have been a lab in Wuhan, China, is no longer just the stuff of fevered right-wing fantasies and rabid Trumpists, but has become mainstream. In fact, by the time that this column runs, the lab-release scenario may be recognized as the most likely cause of the pandemic.
President Biden recently ordered an investigation into whether the pandemic was the result of a Chinese lab release, and various establishment media sources now concede the possibility. The World Health Organization (WHO) now allows that the theory is “feasible,” and is attempting to investigate despite Chinese obstruction. The iconic Dr. Fauci has reconsidered his earlier dismissals and is now investigating and demanding medical records from China. Facebook and other social media have quietly lifted their censorship of the topic.
Until recently, any discussion of the possibility that the virus may have come from the Wuhan lab was depicted as just another right-wing, xenophobic, foil-hat fantasy held by Trump, unhinged conservatives, and racists. Any crime report in which an Asian was victimized invariably mentioned Trump’s charges against China, suggesting that the attacks were incited, even when the attack was obviously just an opportunistic robbery.
Most of the establishment media confidently dismissed any possibility of a lab origin. The Washington Post pronounced the theory “debunked.” Facebook and other social media censored any discussion of the theory as “fake news” and “hate speech.”
Much of the scientific establishment dutifully jumped aboard the bandwagon. A number of virologists signed a letter published in The Lancet asserting “scientists overwhelmingly conclude that this coronavirus originated in wildlife,” ignoring the fact that the scientist orchestrating the letter was the president of the foundation that funded the research at the Wuhan lab using U.S. Institute of Health funds.
What caused this abrupt turnaround in supposedly “scientific” opinion?
Evidence of a lab origin is nothing new. In May of 2020, a study by the Lawrence Livermore Lab suggested the possibility. The recent revelation that three researchers at the Wuhan lab had been hospitalized with COVID-like symptoms in November 2019, and the inability of investigators to find a naturally occurring source of the virus, forced even the reluctant to take another look. Reports that the U.S. had been funding research at the lab, possibly including “gain of function” research (a dangerous process in which a virus is made more virulent), raised questions. A Nobel laureate virologist described the structure of the virus as a “smoking gun” for lab modification. Early gene sequencing data showing that the theory that the virus originated in the Wuhan “wet market” was unlikely, was inexplicably deleted from the National Institute of Health (NIH) database. An internal NIH email warns of “opening up a can of worms.”
It is increasingly clear that the attacks on the theory were an effort by some in government and science to avoid blame for having supported and funded the research that may have caused so much death and suffering. When the lights are turned on, the roaches scurry for cover. The attacks were uncritically embraced by a media eager to weaken Trump as we headed into the 2020 election.
A few media voices have had the integrity to admit that their loathing of Trump and his administration caused them to instinctively dismiss the possibility that the theory might be true, and to uncritically accept the self-protective conclusions from the scientific establishment. Others continue to squander their reputational capital in ridiculing the theory. Apoorva Mandavilli, of The New York Times, who purportedly covers science for the paper, continues to argue that the lab-release theory is racist, giving the fading credibility of the Gray Lady yet another hit.
The lab-release hypothesis is still unproven, and may never be, but it was always a serious possibility. The information was there all along but was just ignored while more attractive theories were promoted. Groupthink, and ignoring evidence just to serve political or professional objectives, is dishonest and destructive, especially when it comes from those in science and the media who we must rely upon to inform us in an increasingly complicated world.
Most alarming was the censorship by social media, citing supposed “fact checkers” who had an obvious conflict of interest. Why should we trust them to protect us from “dangerous” points of view? How much of the “fake news” and “hate speech” barred from social media may actually be true?
Science should be based on facts, not belief or career considerations. When many in science were so eager to uncritically promote a false narrative, how can we trust them in other areas? Is the wariness of some toward the vaccine actually justified? Are the conclusions of the scientific community on climate change valid, or just more ideologically driven groupthink? Where does the deceit end?
Should the findings of scientific experts be trusted or considered just another political point of view?
The scientific community, social media, and the media have a lot of work to do in earning public trust. Δ
John Donegan is a retired attorney in Pismo Beach who is skeptical of everything he reads in the paper except the comics and his horoscope. Send comments for publication to letters@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Jul 1-11, 2021.
Regardless of where the virus came from, local racists were using the issue as a way to ramp up hatred against Asians living in America. An example is what happened to Tommy Gong. Unfortunately thats one clear example amongst many others throughout the United States. We all saw examples of people blaming China without definitive evidence to prove Chinas culpability. Racists and others who wish to divide our community and spread animosity through the United States typically dont care whether they have evidence or not before or blaming others for problems in America. The effort to convince people to call the Covid virus the Chinese virus was an attempt to ramp up animosity toward Asians in America and beyond. It is well-established in the science field that diseases should not be named after locations for fear that will lead to discrimination against the innocent. And that we can clearly see is exactly what happened and continues to happen The author of the column above does not seem to care about any of this. His words seem designed to create antagonism and suspicion in our community and will certainly be aid and comfort to bigots everywhere.
I AGREE with Mr. John Donegan!
The Chinese Communist dictators may very well have facilitated the release of the Covid-19 virus from their lab, and, at the very least, lab workers may have spread it unknowingly.
Either way, the Chinese dictators have the deaths of over 600.000 Americans , and over 5 million people worldwide on their hands and there needs to be accountability. Too bad the whacky liberals had election fever and politicized the issue of the Wuhan Lab Leak, they have assisted the Chinese Communists in covering up this crime against humanity.
It’s never good when the Democrats are in bed with the Chinese Communist, Biden will probably send his traitorous son, Hunter, to warn the Chinese that, increasingly, Americans are understanding that there is a high probability that the Covid 19 virus was leaked out of their lab.
Now you know the rest of the story.
Reject Progressivism/Socialism/Communism.
Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s = Steve Edwards in the 2020s = scapegoating plus racial bigotry.
Rightword has a real hostility towards the truth when it doesn’t serve his political agenda. For example, he claims that it is “well established in science” that diseases shouldn’t be named after places, conveniently disregarding MERS(Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, Zika, Ebola, Spanish flu, German measles, etc. Imagine the atrocity that Lou Gerhrig suffered when a disease (ALS) was named after him. It is because of people like Rightword, who set themselves up as the “Minister of the Approved Truths”, that scientific conclusions have been called into question.
Here’s information about the proper protocols for naming diseases, clarifying that geographical locations should not be used because of the serious negative consequences of doing so
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle…
By the way, the Spanish flu did not originate in Spain, German measles did not originate in Germany, Rocky Mountain spotted fever did not originate in the Rocky Mountains, Lyme disease did not originate in Lyme County, etc., etc
Jim Halpert, please elaborate. On the surface, your comment seems absurd. Please explain what you mean when you say that America has been set back 100 years. So far, I can’t make any sense of your comment. What are you talking about? Do you have anything at all to back up your comments? Or are you simply trying to antagonize and divide our community and give aid and comfort to bigots and domestic terrorists?
Nothing new here. The New York Times “Science editor” and a number of respected “scientists” depicted Robert Goddard as “incompetent” for his studies which supported the possibility of rockets traveling outside of our atmosphere. The comments were generally that it would be absurd, as there was “nothing to push against” outside our atmosphere, ignoring the 200+ year old Newtonian Physics’ rule that “for every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction.”
The NYT’s ignorance remained the American authority of the time, while the German physicists used Goddard’s conclusions to create the (very successful) V2 rockets of WWII.
We must realize that frequently the “authorities” are as ignorant as the rest of us, but speak with such reliable support from the “elite” and the media that they condemn us all to their mistakes.
Jimmy’s right. Democrats are the reason all this race baiting exist. Crimes rates are high, homelessness out of control, our school systems are terrible because of lack of accountability to culture. We are set back 100 years
I believe the dislike ratios speak for themselves…some people just can’t get passed their egos to see the whole picture. Sad.
Pam, it’s ironic because you’re the one who is advocating for no accountability regarding the systemic racism of our culture. How about we account for that?
Right word 2. One, I’m brown, latino,a child of immigrants. Two, because of all the racist institutions I some how managed to get my masters degree, buy three homes, and now I live in the country, and I’m surrounded by white folks…the racism is everywhere!!! It has oppressed me!!! (Sarcasm)
Right word, Is the racism in the room with you?
I’m not sure if you noticed but racism is not acceptable in 2021, nor has it been for sometime.
If anyone did or said anything racist in 2021…adios. It’s been this way, since all these white people died in the civil war to free their fellow man.
Are their racist people? Yes…and they all seem to be white liberals with a god complex…cough. Cough.
Perhaps you have been watching to much propaganda?
Racism is dead. But the democrats and white libs won’t let it die…you keep pumping it, adding body parts, you’ve created a monster with your ideas.
No one here has ever advocated for racism, or said we shouldn’t hold anyone accountable, it’s all in your head.
Sorry Pam, but I dont believe a word you wrote. Your postings are filled with racist rhetoric and propaganda aimed at dividing our community and denying history. Your lies do not stand up to scrutiny. As far as I can tell you are sympathetic to domestic terrorists, racists and you give aid and comfort to all those who wish to divide our community and weaken our government. You are a mendacious phony Who is violating the new times comment policy.
Racism is certainly not dead as you claim. I see it every day and I see it in your comments. You are harming our community.
It’s disingenuous to for someone to claim they are Latino and live in California and then act like they know what black people must face in America. In general, Latinos in California don’t face near as much discrimination as do our black population. Having a dark suntan and claiming you are a person of color does not qualify you to speak for the black community or truly know the kind of discrimination a black person faces in California and elsewhere. Racism is real and Anyone who claims otherwise is either foolish or a bigoted propagandist giving aid and comfort to racists throughout our nation.
Wow. Right word. You need to be banned. I have dark skin, practically black. The only division being spread here is from you. You are seriously a disgrace to the community. Please report this person, who ever reads this.
I can meet you in person if youd like, I can show you my taxes and my properties, and my degrees that hang on my walls.
You can meet my children and everything. Seriously you are a disgrace to the community. Funny how suddenly Latinos dont know what racism is…funny how you, who I assume is white, knows what blacks deal with…the black folks I know are all successful, of character and conservative. Perhaps you live in a bubble?
Im seriously disgusted.
My parents are from a small town in El Salvador, cojutepeque . Look into it. I have family in Wisconsin, Arkansas, Texas, Florida and New York. 90% percent of who are conservatives and completely disagree with you. All of whom voted for Trump.
You are the white liberal Malcom x warned us about.
Martin Luther king, would not be on your side.
Shame.
Dont give this bigot a platform folks. Report him ASAP! Please! No platform for hate!
Once again the dislikes ratios speak for themselves
Pam, just use your real name, otherwise I will have to consider you a phony. And why be so eager to brag about your skin color?
And anyone who supports Trump supports a liar and therefore in my mind cant be trusted. Sorry. I am prejudiced against political leaders and business people who continually lie to the public. By the way your writing style is remarkably similar to Steve Edwards.
And for the record, I still maintain that systemic racism is different for Latinos than it is for blacks. I think thats obvious. And Latinos have no more right to speak to the black experience then do whites. Asians face their own special kind of racism. Who wouldve guessed that San Luis Obispo would become nationally known for anti-Asian hate crimes? The sad thing is, there are some people, some have post comments on this website ,who are not bothered by that. Why would that be?
Oh yes, as for the like and dislike ratios. They are easily manipulated. The voting is not secure like our public elections are. Its not hard at all for one person to cast many votes in the new times like and dislike poll. Conservatives should respect that especially, considering that there is no photo ID involved. Not even a signature which is required in our national state and local elections. So we would be foolish to take the like and dislike ratios seriously or consider them representative of public sentiment. There are no penalties for fraud with the new Times polls. It is not an election or referendum. Its entertainment. Its a game. Get real please.
And then of course we have someone claiming to be a Latino who shows an anti-black bias and is literally trying to speak for Martin Luther King and tell us who he would or would not support in the 21st-century. I very much doubt Martin Luther King would have voted for Donald Trump for president if he had the chance. I cant say I know for sure but I dont think so.
I agree with Keith Campbell and Pam Beasley, nobody can be that stupid!
Some of the whacky alt left troll bloggers here amuse us with their ignorance and tomfoolery, and then he/she/it doubles down by lecturing a Latino about race! Our alt left white liberal elite friends are sanctimonious, entitled and arrogant in their knowledge of our society, its pathetic.
A liberal is a person who hasnt had to move out of their parents house, get a job, or pay taxes.
The idea of “Systemic Racism” has been shown to be a fraud, hoisted on society by the whacky left, BLM fools and Antifa thugs. It has been as discredited as BLM, Antifa, and Slavery Reparations.
Treat ALL with respect and dignity, but dont embrace the ignorant idea that America is a racial conspiracy against blacks. That is manufactured political scheme being used by the alt left to try to advance their progressive/socialist/communist agenda, and its not worthy of our great nation.
America is an opportunity society and it works if you work.
Steve, it’s nice to know that sanity still exist in CA. Thank you for giving me hope that we out number these loons
Woke leftist culture imported from us is racialising France causing splits in society……
We had freed ourselves from this approach and now we are once more categorizing people according to their race and by doing that we are totally placing them under house arrest
-Emmanuel Macron
French president
https://youtu.be/VDo7FrwSOSs
Woke left = cancer
Nothing against France, but I prefer to live in the United States. I’m a huge fan of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, two things you’re not gonna find in France. Sorry.
Particularly because today is American Independence Day, it is interesting to see so many of our local conservatives looking to the politicians of France for leadership and political inspiration. As for me, I prefer the United States governmental structure. I am particularly impressed with the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights.
French president Emmanuel Macron may be a decent leader, but I prefer Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. I think Biden and Harris‘s ideals are more in line with the precepts handed down from our nations founding fathers. Happy Fourth of July!
As Americans, we owe it to the nearly 600,000 U.S. citizens who died because of the Wuhan Virus to see a competent, thorough investigation. We already know that the Chinese communist dictatorship has done extensive research into biological warfare, and they have a military lab operating in Wuhan, China.
Unfortunately, the whacky liberals impeded the attempts to investigate the source of the Coved 19 virus, because they were interested in damaging our past president in the campaign cycle, and we should not trust a political party like the Democrats, who put politics before country. Before the election, the Democrats insisted this virus started with bats in a Chinese outdoor market, but now the independent scientific community realizes that that story is unlikely.
The Chinese Communist dictators in Bejing, China are using their influence to stop Joe Biden from having Aerican scientist perform a competent investigation, and that is the problem with having your corrupt son, Hunter Biden, sold out to the dictators. Sadly, Joe and Hunter Biden are owned by the Chinese, and, because of this, the families of the dead 600,000 Americans will never get justice for their loved ones.
I suggest, like in the 9-11 attacks, that American sue the Chinese communist to get authentic answers under oath. It also is disheartening to see the American whacky progressives (think progressives=socialist=communists) cover for the dictators in China. It says a lot about their true loyalties.
God Bless America.
Scientists are holding a public debate, as witnessed by the countering opinions about origin. No one is hiding anything. I’m fairly certain that John did not read any of the scientific literature he describes. The NIH and the WHO both have stated that while the virus could have been a lab escape, the preponderance of evidence suggests that it is more likely to be the most common of occurrences which is a zoonotic shift. Just like the “bird flu”. The evidence gathered by the scientists on the ground supports this. To suggest that scientists are prone to groupthink, when the evidence is to the contrary is bizarre. John is sowing discord because he is apparently incapable of reading all that pesky science.
Now that the left has backed off from its attack politics, the scientific community is reexamining the source of the Wuhan Virus, and we cannot dismiss the idea that the Chinese communist dictators either released it on purpose, or released it through negligence.
We are at the point where cover 500,000 Americans have died of Covid 19, but our so-called leader, Joe Biden, refuses to get tough with the Chinese dictators, probably because of his son Hunter’s ties to the communist and the fact that the Biden’s have enriched themselves with quid pro quo Chinese business deals set up by the Chinese military.
We must not let politics get in the way of the truth, and we should assert our right to launch a thorough investigation of the real source of the virus. Over 4 million people worldwide have died because of the lame Chinese.
Seek real answers to Wuhan Virus.
Steve Edwards, it is not wise or safe to be promoting war against China based on an accusation for which there is no strong foundation. Thank goodness we now have a reasonable and diplomatic president who is not a hothead and going to take actions that end up killing untold numbers of people for no good reason. As far as I can tell, your comments seem to be aimed at promoting anti-Asian sentiment in our community as you have done so many times before. Please stop. Thank you
https://asm.org/Articles/2021/May/Why-Scie…
I just think it’s funny that “Steve Edwards”, “Pam Beasley”, and “Jim Halpert”, even “John Donegan” are most likely the same person. You would be surprised and shocked how far someone will go to saturate a forum with their message. Think of those wackos on the corner of a street holding up sign and shouting with a megaphone, or evangelical preachers, but instead its on the internet.