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> It is understandable that the Chinese lab likely struggled with safety issues given the fact US labs share similar problems This line is what makes me think

> It is understandable that the Chinese lab likely struggled with safety issues given the fact US labs share similar problems This line is what makes me think I am reading propoganda. It starts as a news story but continues as a opinion piece. It is never understandable that a lab of this nature, regardless of country, has safety issues. I don't think Chinese authorities nor US authorities would agree it is understandable. Or at least I hope they wouldn't.

mehrdadn 7y ago
The part of it that stuck out to me wasn't the "understandable" part in itself, but the fact that it said the US labs "share similar problems", since these "problems" appeared to be just cases of people mishandling these viruses (i.e. negligence?), rather than cases of the viruses being too difficult to handle even when protocols are properly followed. A problem arising due to negligence doesn't seem like something I'd characterize as "struggling" with safety.
- james_s_tayler 7y ago
  >A problem arising due to negligence doesn't seem like something I'd characterize as "struggling" with safety. Why not? If safety relies on negligence not occuring then negligence compromises safety. If safety is regularly comprised that would be considered "struggling with safety".
- roenxi 7y ago
  It is a fairly reasonable characterisation. Obviously if there is any potential for a virus to escape even if everything is done correctly then it is far, far too dangerous study. Safety systems are there to catch when people make mistakes and/or don't do things they should do. There is a level of negligence that no system can cope with but up to that point they safe systems should be able to cope with mistakes.
throw373 7y ago
Why is it in large metropolitan area? If safety is important, this seems like a huge red flag.
deleted 7y ago
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pritovido 7y ago
It is called "reality". Like cities have pollution problems because of thermal engines. Like airplanes or ships. We know we should fly on Pegasus feeding themselves on rainbows but that is not feasible on the short term. All human activities have risk. You can minimize those, but never made them zero.
- koolba 7y ago
  > All human activities have risk. You can minimize those, but never made them zero. The issue is not whether there are risks. Clearly there are. The issue is whether the proper mitigations were being followed. The post incident information flow from the Chinese makes it very difficult to believe this was an unavoidable accident. Seems more likely it was a ticking time bomb of safety violations.

mehrdadn 7y ago

The part of it that stuck out to me wasn't the "understandable" part in itself, but the fact that it said the US labs "share similar problems", since these "problems" appeared to be just cases of people mishandling these viruses (i.e. negligence?), rather than cases of the viruses being too difficult to handle even when protocols are properly followed. A problem arising due to negligence doesn't seem like something I'd characterize as "struggling" with safety.

james_s_tayler 7y ago
>A problem arising due to negligence doesn't seem like something I'd characterize as "struggling" with safety. Why not? If safety relies on negligence not occuring then negligence compromises safety. If safety is regularly comprised that would be considered "struggling with safety".
roenxi 7y ago
It is a fairly reasonable characterisation. Obviously if there is any potential for a virus to escape even if everything is done correctly then it is far, far too dangerous study. Safety systems are there to catch when people make mistakes and/or don't do things they should do. There is a level of negligence that no system can cope with but up to that point they safe systems should be able to cope with mistakes.

throw373 7y ago

Why is it in large metropolitan area? If safety is important, this seems like a huge red flag.

deleted 7y ago

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pritovido 7y ago

It is called "reality". Like cities have pollution problems because of thermal engines. Like airplanes or ships. We know we should fly on Pegasus feeding themselves on rainbows but that is not feasible on the short term. All human activities have risk. You can minimize those, but never made them zero.

koolba 7y ago
> All human activities have risk. You can minimize those, but never made them zero. The issue is not whether there are risks. Clearly there are. The issue is whether the proper mitigations were being followed. The post incident information flow from the Chinese makes it very difficult to believe this was an unavoidable accident. Seems more likely it was a ticking time bomb of safety violations.