It is among the world’s most consequential mysteries: Where did the coronavirus that killed millions of people and shattered the global economy come

What We Know About the Origins of Covid-19

submited by
Style Pass
2021-06-27 12:00:01

It is among the world’s most consequential mysteries: Where did the coronavirus that killed millions of people and shattered the global economy come from?

The Wall Street Journal has covered the global quest for answers, tracking the World Health Organization, doctors and scientists in China and around the world, the U.S. intelligence community and the vast network of disease specialists, all struggling to piece together a puzzling set of disparate clues. Here are some of the key findings:

A Journal investigation found China resisted international pressure for an investigation it saw as an attempt to assign blame, delayed the probe for months, secured veto rights over participants and insisted its scope encompass other countries as well. The WHO-led team that traveled to China in early 2021 to investigate the origins of the virus struggled to get a clear picture of what research China was conducting beforehand, faced constraints during its monthlong visit and had little power to conduct thorough, impartial research without the blessing of China’s government. In their final report, the investigators said insufficient evidence meant they couldn’t yet resolve when, where and how the virus began spreading.

Chinese authorities refused to provide WHO investigators with raw data on confirmed and potential early Covid-19 cases that could help determine how and when the coronavirus first began to spread in China. Chinese researchers also directed a U.S. government archive to delete gene sequences of early Covid-19 cases, removing an important clue.

Leave a Comment