Two years after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020, questions still persist about the origins of the virus that caused lockdowns, overwhelmed healthcare systems, disrupted economies, and caused millions of deaths worldwide.
The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and was initially linked to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. However, as cases began to rise, health authorities in Wuhan cleaned the market by January 1, 2020, making it difficult to gather crucial information about the virus’s early spread.
Amidst the investigation, key details have been absent, and China’s refusal to provide comprehensive access to the data has further complicated the search for answers. Consequently, various narratives have emerged, presenting different viewpoints on the origins of the virus.
On one side, proponents of evolutionary biology support the theory of a natural or “zoonotic” outbreak, highlighting the role of intermediary species like raccoon dogs and bamboo rats. These animals are believed to have served as a link between horseshoe bats, known carriers of coronaviruses, and the transmission to humans. On the other side, there are those who speculate that a potential accidental leak from the nearby Wuhan Institute of Virology, which handles hazardous pathogens, might be responsible. They draw attention to similar incidents in Taiwan, China, Singapore, and even reported near misses in laboratories in the United States, such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Amidst discussions surrounding COVID-19’s origins, a minority of conspiracy theorists and select commentators propose the controversial notion that the virus could have been intentionally created as a bioweapon. These theories often vary depending on the individuals’ political inclinations, with some suggesting the United States as the source, while others point to China.
Now, let’s delve into what we truly understand about the origin of the virus and the insights provided by scientific research.
In essence, scientists and experts tend to lean towards the belief that the virus originated naturally, with transmission occurring from animals to humans. However, the lack of transparency from China during the crucial early stages of the outbreak has resulted in a scarcity of evidence. This absence of vital information has hindered scientists from drawing definitive conclusions and has also given rise to various conspiracy theories.
It is important to note that while the scientific consensus leans towards a natural origin, ongoing research and investigations are crucial to uncovering more concrete evidence and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the virus’s origin story.
China had been concealing crucial information
The quest for answers regarding the origin of COVID-19 has intensified in recent weeks, fueled by a series of attention-grabbing assertions from US authorities.
In early February, the US Department of Energy’s intelligence agency made a statement, citing undisclosed information, that it had “low confidence” in the belief that the virus originated from a laboratory leak. Shortly thereafter, FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed that the bureau had long assessed the likelihood of the pandemic originating from a potential lab incident in Wuhan, despite four other US intelligence agencies and the National Intelligence Council previously concluding with “low certainty” that the virus emerged naturally. These contrasting viewpoints have added to the complexity and intrigue surrounding the origins of COVID-19.
However, the debate surrounding lab leak theories has become highly politicized, particularly due to the geopolitical tensions between the United States and China. It is important to note that concerns regarding Beijing’s lack of transparency regarding the origins of COVID-19 have been present since the early stages of the crisis.
In addition to the removal of crucial evidence from the Huanan market, China did not officially acknowledge the virus’s potential for human-to-human transmission until January 20, 2020. This delay occurred despite Chinese epidemiologists employing advanced monitoring techniques in late December as the number of infections from the unidentified virus increased. This revelation was highlighted in a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2020, authored by Chinese researchers and based on data from 425 documented cases between December 10 and January 4. These factors underscore the concerns about transparency and the early handling of the pandemic’s emergence.
“I call this 100 percent solid evidence China was hiding the fact that it knew it was contagious,” Chunhuei Chi, director of Oregon State University’s Center for Global Health, told Al Jazeera. “They started collecting samples at the beginning of December which means they knew about this disease much earlier.”
“Had they disclosed the contagious nature earlier, we would not be in this pandemic at all,” Chi said. Other factors fed suspicions about China’s actions, too. Two different strains of COVID-19 were discovered early on in the pandemic, known as “Lineage A” and “Lineage B,” suggesting that the virus had been circulating for long enough to mutate.
Another point of contention revolves around three lab workers from the Wuhan lab who allegedly sought medical attention in November 2020, as revealed in a US intelligence report obtained by the Wall Street Journal. However, it is worth noting that in China, it is not uncommon for individuals to visit hospitals for minor health concerns.
Additionally, China faced criticism for its treatment of whistleblower Dr. Li Wenliang, who was one of the first to raise the alarm about the new virus. Beijing’s handling of the situation drew further negative attention when it seemingly obstructed a World Health Organization investigation in 2021, with the results of the probe ultimately yielding inconclusive findings. These incidents have added to the skepticism and ongoing discussions surrounding China’s approach to transparency and cooperation in the investigation of COVID-19’s origins.