speedboatchase wrote:There is no 'probably was' or might be' regarding the origin. The WHO does not have credibility in matters of China
You are free to hold that opinion, but that isn't the opinion of most scientists in the field. The idea that Covid-19 likely originated via animal transmission is not controversial scientifically. I personally think the WHO have put in a mostly good effort during the pandemic and I don't think that would be a controversial take with my colleagues either.
I agree that it is difficult to achieve certainty in any investigation given the close interest of the state - I think that would actually be the case in any country, but it certainly does apply to China. It might not be possible to rule out being lied to, but you can investigate and narrow down on balance, which is what the WHO has done (and might choose to continue doing). I don't think there is any investigation that could possibly satisfy you if you think the international organisation through which such an investigation would have to be coordinated is compromised / conspirational. (You acknowledge this a bit later yourself, in fairness.)
speedboatchase wrote:As I said, there is likely no way we'll get any closer than the CCP lets us in knowing more about the origins, but the idea that you posited a few pages ago - that if the lab leak was real: 'Who would it help, what would it achieve?' - sounds a bit we shouldn't even try to investigate. The more we know, the better. A few years ago we knew nothing about ongoing genocide in Xinjiang, but all the better that we do.
The quote was:
Karl_ wrote:I'm sure even "moderates" will be demanding "punishment". Who would it help, what would it achieve?
I think I'm actually being fairly clear there, to be fair to me, particularly as I've said I'm happy about scientific inquiry into the origin several times now. I'm not happy with the focus politicians and the media are putting on one remote possibility in that field, which is a component of an overarching far-right nationalist narrative calling for blame or punishment or retribution, in order to encourage racism and propagandise for imperialist foreign policy.