tippinsights, Editorial Board
Americans Question, China Dodges, and the Truth Is a Casualty.
https://audio.beyondwords.io/e/98225d66-ebfc-4065-8af7-87dde2fece88
COVID-19 may have passed, but the questions surrounding the virus that brought the world to a grinding halt have yet to be concretely answered.
The Central Intelligence Agency’s latest assessment of the origin of the virus has renewed interest in the pathogen that caused a global pandemic. According to America’s top investigative agency, a “research-related origin” of the pandemic “is more likely than a natural origin based on the available body of reporting.” While making the assessment, the CIA cautioned that it had “low confidence” in this determination.
With little or restricted access to the epicenter of the pandemic, it is unlikely that all questions regarding the origin of the virus will be settled in the near future. China has never fully cooperated with international scientific agencies and investigative teams seeking to pinpoint the origin of the COVID-19-causing SARS-CoV-2 virus.
But almost half of the country believes that the COVID-19-causing virus was created in a Chinese lab. Very few subscribe to the theory that it was a naturally occurring pathogen or that the virus that infected humans came from animals. TIPP has been tracking public perceptions of COVID-19’s origins for nearly five years, and the data show that opinions have remained largely unchanged.
Besides the origin of the virus, how it came to infect humans and set off a global pandemic is another disturbing question. The pandemic killed millions and caused economic losses in the trillions. Furthermore, it caused fear among people, altering lifestyles and taking away livelihoods. The scientific community also faces heightened scrutiny regarding the risks surrounding virus research.
Most Americans, including President Trump, favor the lab leak theory. More than half of those who believe in the theory believe the virus was intentionally released from a scientific laboratory. But, close to a third feel that the leak was an accident and not deliberate.
Irrespective of how the pathogen was released, a significant majority agree that China attempted to cover up the COVID-19 outbreak, which caused it to spread across the globe. Beijing’s continued attempts to stymie independent international investigations and reluctance to share information with the scientific community have only added to the perception that the country is trying to cover its tracks.
The nationwide TIPP Poll, conducted over the years, has documented that almost three-quarters of Americans view Beijing’s actions as a cover-up.
The pandemic that drove the global economy off its rails and took millions of lives has had a profound impact on every country. Economies and communities are still trying to recover from the disruption. Every sector, from tourism to retail sales, has been affected. In the latest TIPP Poll, more than half affirm that the pandemic has negatively impacted them.
China continues to deny responsibility for its role in spreading a global pandemic. The Chinese embassy spokesperson responded to the CIA’s conclusion as “misleading” and not based on “substantial evidence.” A written statement said, “The source of the virus is a complex scientific issue, and scientists and experts should find the answer through rigorous and meticulous scientific research, rather than being judged by politicians.”
Many Americans believe Beijing should be held legally accountable for its actions. By trying to cover up the COVID-19 outbreak, spreading it across the world, and hindering an independent investigation, China has wreaked havoc.
It must be noted that a scientific investigation is essential, and definite answers are necessary regarding the origin and spread of the virus. The issue lies beyond politics or politicizing a human crisis.
A clear picture could help devise procedures and protocols to prevent another catastrophic pandemic. It could also assist in formulating rules governing the gain of function research. In an increasingly interconnected world, such measures are necessary to save lives.