4 ms·

It's a tangent on the example given, but the bigger question is: Does the origin of SARS-CoV-2 really matter at this point? I think it's moot and the lab specul

It's a tangent on the example given, but the bigger question is: Does the origin of SARS-CoV-2 really matter at this point? I think it's moot and the lab speculation trope comes across as an agenda-driven conspiracy theory. We can reduce our risks by having strict international conventions on pathogen labs and engineering, eliminating high-density meat agriculture, and reducing overuse of antibiotics/antimycotics/antivirals. Pragmatically, human pathogens should be treated with the same care as nuclear weapons as a matter of risk-management.

Judgmentality 5y ago
> Does the origin of SARS-CoV-2 really matter at this point? I hear this question so often I'm beginning to get upset. Yes, it absolutely 100% matters for the same reason it matters that we learn about anything. Why would we ever want to restrict our knowledge and be willfully ignorant? At this point I just assume the only reason is political. And when has that ever been a good thing for humanity or history? For all we know China is purposefully manufacturing viruses as weapons (in fact there is already some evidence of this happening), and you think it doesn't matter? Honestly none of the anti-China propaganda ever really seemed to do anything for me, but nothing has made me more leery of China than the wall of "we don't really need to know where covid came from" comments I see on the internet. I don't know or care if the person I am replying to is a shill, but I have never seen such a strong front defending ignorance before in my life. JFC everything gets flagged now instead of anyone having a discussion. I'm directly responding to part of the comment which I believe to already be political, so I'm just trying to continue the conversation that OP started. Maybe if most comments suggesting we should explore this issue weren't so quickly flagged on HN it would make me more receptive to the idea this isn't an organized political front.
A4ET8a8uTh0 5y ago
It matters politically. There is a reason both US and China did what they did in terms of messaging. And it does not make sense until you recognize potential political fallout from it. How would it affect your opinion if covid19 gain of function research was funded by US? How would it affect your opinion if it there is an actual proof of China developing this virus? Both have their ramifications and they are not even mutually exclusive.
- failwhaleshark 5y ago
  Political concerns are immaterial to the issue of global pandemic mitigation, preparedness, and response planning/coordination.
  - A4ET8a8uTh0 5y ago
    Eh. I would like to believe it, but pragmatist in me knows it is not true. I will add that willingly ignoring this facet is doing a disservice to pandemic handling. It simply cannot exist without political will and capital.
  - jollybean 5y ago
    Political Concerns are inseparable from those things. Judicial Concerns matter as well, and we don't just ignore the manslaughter of 10's of millions of people because of populist concerns over xenophobia. If this were XYZ Corp. USA, and they killed 1 million Americans due to their lab accident - all of you (edit: 'all of us') would be screaming for life-sentences for the executives and a Trillion in damages for the victims, their families, and probably for a 'total overhaul' of relevant structures. And that wouldn't be political.
anamax 5y ago
> Does the origin of SARS-CoV-2 really matter at this point? Matter for what? The origin was extremely important as long as all the good people agreed that said origin had nothing to do with the Wuhan lab. It's curious that the origin is not important now that said good people are saying that the Wuhan lab might be the origin. It's almost like the importance of the origin depends on what the origin is.
throw737858 5y ago
It matters a lot, what if this type of pandemic happens every 10 years? How difficult it would be to create similar virus? Also I sacrificed two years of my life. I think I deserve an answer.

Judgmentality 5y ago

> Does the origin of SARS-CoV-2 really matter at this point? I hear this question so often I'm beginning to get upset. Yes, it absolutely 100% matters for the same reason it matters that we learn about anything. Why would we ever want to restrict our knowledge and be willfully ignorant? At this point I just assume the only reason is political. And when has that ever been a good thing for humanity or history? For all we know China is purposefully manufacturing viruses as weapons (in fact there is already some evidence of this happening), and you think it doesn't matter? Honestly none of the anti-China propaganda ever really seemed to do anything for me, but nothing has made me more leery of China than the wall of "we don't really need to know where covid came from" comments I see on the internet. I don't know or care if the person I am replying to is a shill, but I have never seen such a strong front defending ignorance before in my life. JFC everything gets flagged now instead of anyone having a discussion. I'm directly responding to part of the comment which I believe to already be political, so I'm just trying to continue the conversation that OP started. Maybe if most comments suggesting we should explore this issue weren't so quickly flagged on HN it would make me more receptive to the idea this isn't an organized political front.

A4ET8a8uTh0 5y ago

It matters politically. There is a reason both US and China did what they did in terms of messaging. And it does not make sense until you recognize potential political fallout from it. How would it affect your opinion if covid19 gain of function research was funded by US? How would it affect your opinion if it there is an actual proof of China developing this virus? Both have their ramifications and they are not even mutually exclusive.

failwhaleshark 5y ago
Political concerns are immaterial to the issue of global pandemic mitigation, preparedness, and response planning/coordination.
- A4ET8a8uTh0 5y ago
  Eh. I would like to believe it, but pragmatist in me knows it is not true. I will add that willingly ignoring this facet is doing a disservice to pandemic handling. It simply cannot exist without political will and capital.
- jollybean 5y ago
  Political Concerns are inseparable from those things. Judicial Concerns matter as well, and we don't just ignore the manslaughter of 10's of millions of people because of populist concerns over xenophobia. If this were XYZ Corp. USA, and they killed 1 million Americans due to their lab accident - all of you (edit: 'all of us') would be screaming for life-sentences for the executives and a Trillion in damages for the victims, their families, and probably for a 'total overhaul' of relevant structures. And that wouldn't be political.

anamax 5y ago

> Does the origin of SARS-CoV-2 really matter at this point? Matter for what? The origin was extremely important as long as all the good people agreed that said origin had nothing to do with the Wuhan lab. It's curious that the origin is not important now that said good people are saying that the Wuhan lab might be the origin. It's almost like the importance of the origin depends on what the origin is.

throw737858 5y ago

It matters a lot, what if this type of pandemic happens every 10 years? How difficult it would be to create similar virus? Also I sacrificed two years of my life. I think I deserve an answer.