China doubles down on COVID narrative as WHO investigation looms

[snoop1130]

China doubles down on COVID narrative as WHO investigation looms

By David Stanway

 

FILE PHOTO: Visitors attend an exhibition on the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at Wuhan Parlor Convention Center that previously served as a makeshift hospital for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, Hubei province, China December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

 

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - As a team from the World Health Organization (WHO) prepares to visit China to investigate the origins of COVID-19, Beijing has stepped up efforts not only to prevent new outbreaks, but also shape the narrative about when and where the pandemic began.

 

China has dismissed criticism of its early handling of the coronavirus, first identified in the city of Wuhan at the end of 2019, and foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday that the country would welcome the WHO team.

 

But amid simmering geopolitical tensions, experts said the investigators were unlikely to be allowed to scrutinise some of the more sensitive aspects of the outbreak, with Beijing desperate to avoid blame for a virus that has killed more than 1.8 million people worldwide.

 

"Even before this investigation, top officials from both sides have been very polarised in their opinions on the origins of the outbreak," said Yanzhong Huang, senior fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations, a U.S. think tank.

 

"They will have to be politically savvy and draw conclusions that are acceptable to all the major parties," he added.

 

While other countries continue to struggle with infection surges, China has aggressively doused flare-ups. After a new cluster of cases last week, the city of Shenyang sealed off entire communities and required all non-essential workers to stay home.

 

On Saturday, senior diplomat Wang Yi praised the anti-pandemic efforts, saying China not only curbed domestic infections, but also "took the lead in building a global anti-epidemic defence" by providing aid to more than 150 countries.

 

But mindful of the criticism China has faced worldwide, Wang also became the highest-ranking official to question the consensus about COVID-19's origins, saying "more and more studies" show that it emerged in multiple regions.

 

China is also the only country to claim COVID-19 can be transmitted via cold chain imports, with the country blaming new outbreaks in Beijing and Dalian on contaminated shipments - even though the WHO has downplayed those risks.

 

TRANSPARENCY

 

China has been accused of a cover-up that delayed its initial response, allowing the virus to spread further.

 

The topic remains sensitive, with only a handful of studies into the origins of COVID-19 made available to the public.

 

But there have also been signs China is willing to share information that contradicts the official picture.

 

Last week, a study by China's Center for Disease Control showed that blood samples from 4.43% of Wuhan's population contained COVID-19 antibodies, indicating that the city's infection rates were far higher than originally acknowledged.

 

But scientists said China must also share any findings suggesting COVID-19 was circulating domestically long before it was officially identified in December 2019.

 

An Italian study showed that COVID-19 might have been in Europe several months before China's first official case. Chinese state media used the paper to support theories that COVID-19 originated overseas and entered China via contaminated frozen food or foreign athletes competing at the World Military Games in Wuhan in October 2019.

 

Raina MacIntyre, head of the Kirby Institute's Biosecurity Research Program in Australia, said the investigation needed to draw "a comprehensive global picture of the epidemiological clues", including any evidence COVID-19 was present outside of China before December 2019.

 

However, political issues mean they are unlikely to be given much leeway to investigate one hypothesis, that the outbreak was caused by a leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, said MacIntyre.

 

"I think it is unlikely all viruses in the lab at the time will be made available to the team," she said. "So I do not think we will ever know the truth."

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-05

 

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[YetAnother]

11 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

China has dismissed criticism of its early handling of the coronavirus,

now we know why the thais are so good and practiced at the blame game

[Phuketshrew]

Any investigation will be a whitewash. China should be ostracised by the rest of the world and made to pay reparations for what they have unleashed on the world.

[ukrules]

WHO puppets are reporting to their Chinese pay masters, I'm going to hazard a guess and suggest that they find nothing wrong in China and blame it on some 'anti China' like Taiwan.

[RichardColeman]

I think the world should give the WHO 1 chance and 1 year to come up with a decision about where this pandemic likely started, what country it likely started, what that country has done to prevent it happening again, and was anything hidden by that country at any point in the pandemic.

 

If the WHO cannot do this, then they should be disbanded immediately after as they quite simply are not fit for purpose and a new organisation should be created. 

[Natai Beach]

41 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

now we know why the thais are so good and practiced at the blame game

 
Nice little thai bash that one. 
 

It probably started in China. Probably from wildlife meat. Could have happened anywhere, most countries eat wildlife, in Australia we eat kangaroos and they put all sorts of animals such as wild camel in our pies. 
 

The Chinese had to figure it out themselves as there was no template, they locked down hard and forced everyone to social distance and wear masks and were criticized for it by the west harping on about human rights. 

They were spot on with their approach and very successful. If other countries had followed the Chinese method it is fair to say it would not have been the huge problem it is today and the world would have been largely back to normal six months ago.
 

The Chinese had told the world about it in December of 2019. Politicians politicized it in the west, the UK wanting to take it on the chin, the US claimed it was a hoax and it would magically disappear, Italy was reluctant to lock down, Sweden had a different approach etc etc

Then the west started their protests, anti Trump, pro Trump, anti mask, BLM, anti lockdown, anti brexit, pro brexit etc etc that solved nothing, but helped spread the virus both directly from attending these protests and also be the disinformation that was spead when the advice from China was to social distance. 
 

Because of the huge numbers it has mutated with the new UK strain that is now much worse and the west need somebody to blame for their terrible and incompetent handling of it. It is worse now than ever before.

The virus probably started in China, but it definitely was spread in the west because simple measures like mask wearing were unbelievably advised against, people refused to social distance and harped on about “human rights”.
 

Did they really need to go and rip down statues during a pandemic? Statues that had been there for decades, but suddenly it was an urgent issue to pull them down right now. How many black lives were lost because of those protests? 
Idiotic. Lunacy.

 

 

[fangless]

2 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

a new organisation should be created. 

Why bother?

The present one doesn't work. so who would make sure any new setup would be any better or more fit for purpose?

 

 

 

 

Edited January 5, 2021 by fangless

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, Natai Beach said:

Nice little thai bash that one. 
 

It probably started in China. Probably from wildlife meat. Could have happened anywhere, most countries eat wildlife, in Australia we eat kangaroos and they put all sorts of animals such as wild camel in our pies. 
 

The Chinese had to figure it out themselves as there was no template, they locked down hard and forced everyone to social distance and wear masks and were criticized for it by the west harping on about human rights. 

Not quite true.

There are many reports about a 'foray' into a bat cave some six (?) years before. 4 of the 6 sample collectors died from 'respiratory' problems.

Samples were taken to the Wuhan lab and then experiments were performed.

China refuses to give any further details of what happened next.

They have banned doctors in Wuhan from talking to the investigators.

They have banned the public in Wuhan from talking to the investigators.

They have banned families of those in Wuhan that died or were ill from talking to the investigators.

This is a whitewash. No other word fits.

[impulse]

2 hours ago, Natai Beach said:

It probably started in China. Probably from wildlife meat. Could have happened anywhere, most countries eat wildlife, in Australia we eat kangaroos and they put all sorts of animals such as wild camel in our pies. 

 

Did'ja miss the photos of that refrigerator in that virus lab a few blocks from the wildlife market?  The one with the broken seal?

 

I'd love to be on the WHO team doing the investigating.  Mama needs a new pair of shoes condos in Aspen.

 

Edited January 5, 2021 by impulse

[Patong2021]

3 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

Any investigation will be a whitewash. China should be ostracised by the rest of the world and made to pay reparations for what they have unleashed on the world.

Yes, China  has  some responsibility here, but the   disaters that we see occurring in western world are not China's  fault.

China cannot be blamed for the incompetence of western governments. Nor can it be blamed for stupid people who refuse to wear a mask, social distance walk around knowing they are infected etc. It is not China that called this a hoax. In many countries there are thousands who gather to  talk of hoax, lizard people and many other imagined events. Much of the world would not be in the mess it is if  it had acted responsibly when this started.

[ChouDoufu]

39 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Yes, China  has  some responsibility here, but the   disaters that we see occurring in western world are not China's  fault.

China cannot be blamed for the incompetence of western governments. Nor can it be blamed for stupid people who refuse to wear a mask, social distance walk around knowing they are infected etc. It is not China that called this a hoax. In many countries there are thousands who gather to  talk of hoax, lizard people and many other imagined events. Much of the world would not be in the mess it is if  it had acted responsibly when this started.

 

but muh freedom!

 

Anti-mask protesters try to force way into stores at Century City mall

https://abc7.com/anti-masks-coronavirus-covid19-protest/9354225/

 

Maskless protesters storm grocery store, Century City mall - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-04/maskless-protesters-grocery-store-westfield-century-city-mall

 

United States

Coronavirus Cases:

21,374,524

Deaths:

362,764

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/

 

Donald J. Trump@realDonaldTrump·

Jan 3

The number of cases and deaths of the China Virus is far exaggerated in the United States because of @CDCgov ’s ridiculous method of determination compared to other countries, many of whom report, purposely, very inaccurately and low. “When in doubt, call it Covid.” Fake News!

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1345720107255926784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

 

 

[rabas]

22 minutes ago, ChouDoufu said:

 

but muh freedom!

 

Anti-mask protesters try to force way into stores at Century City mall

https://abc7.com/anti-masks-coronavirus-covid19-protest/9354225/

 

Maskless protesters storm grocery store, Century City mall - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-04/maskless-protesters-grocery-store-westfield-century-city-mall

 

United States

Coronavirus Cases:

21,374,524

Deaths:

362,764

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/

 

Donald J. Trump@realDonaldTrump·

Jan 3

The number of cases and deaths of the China Virus is far exaggerated in the United States because of @CDCgov ’s ridiculous method of determination compared to other countries, many of whom report, purposely, very inaccurately and low. “When in doubt, call it Covid.” Fake News!

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1345720107255926784?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

Only takes one virus and a single infection to start a global pandemic.

 

An infection that will go down in infamy.

[Tippaporn]

6 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - As a team from the World Health Organization (WHO) prepares to visit China to investigate the origins of COVID-19 <snip>

 

Is this a joke or just kabuki theater for the masses?  For one the WHO are about a year late and two, China holds all of the cards as to the failure of any investigation to uncover what China has vehemently and flatly refused for the last year.

 

6 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

"Even before this investigation, top officials from both sides have been very polarised in their opinions on the origins of the outbreak," said Yanzhong Huang, senior fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations, a U.S. think tank.

 

"They will have to be politically savvy and draw conclusions that are acceptable to all the major parties," he added.

 

O.K., it's both a joke and kabuki theater.  The CFR just proved it.

[sammieuk1]

I know who I blame for ringing the life out of anything normal and for ever will and hope when possible the free world makes the Chinese pay a withering cost ???? 

[bodga]

1 hour ago, rabas said:

Only takes one virus and a single infection to start a global pandemic.

 

An infection that will go down in infamy.

really and  how  many  knew  about the 1918 flu one until recently?

[candide]

6 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

f the WHO cannot do this, then they should be disbanded immediately after as they quite simply are not fit for purpose and a new organisation should be created

According to the treaty signed by its members, the WHO has no investigative power. Whether it's the WHO or another organisation, the problem is the same: all member States must sign a treaty granting this organisation investigative power, including on their own territory.

Come back when the US (among others) will sign a paper allowing an international organisation to conduct an intrusive investigation on it's territory. Good luck with that!

[welovesundaysatspace]

12 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

I think the world should give the WHO 1 chance and 1 year to come up with a decision about where this pandemic likely started, what country it likely started,

From all we know, it was a bat that started it. Good look finding it. 
 

 

 

[welovesundaysatspace]

9 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Did'ja miss the photos of that refrigerator in that virus lab a few blocks from the wildlife market?  The one with the broken seal?

Was it in the basement of a pizza shop, together with Dominion voting machines maybe? And did you find any “links” to

George Soros, the Gates foundation and Adolf Hitler by any chance? 
 

 

 

[Jeffr2]

The WHO isn't perfect, but they aren't terrible either.  They do a lot of good around the world, and like said above, can't force nations to do anything.

 

A revamp would be great.  And sadly, the truth may never be known about the origins of this virus.  Other than the outbreak started in full force in Wuhan.

 

And it's well known China isn't good at telling the truth.

[Brickbat]

People find it easier to bla bla bla me me me ( blame) than to “ THINK”.

 

with those in charge not responding quickly and decisively, the “ hoax” became so destructive and disruptive. 

[Chomper Higgot]

Where this virus started seems rather academic, far more important is how nations failed to respond and how why businesses and economies were so ill prepared.

 

Other viruses will undoubtedly surface, pointing fingers and making public health responses a matter of political allegiance didn’t work out so well.

 

Time to prepare for effective responses and leave the blame game to those who need a distraction.

[Scott]

Conspiracy post reported and removed.

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

6 hours ago, candide said:

According to the treaty signed by its members, the WHO has no investigative power. Whether it's the WHO or another organisation, the problem is the same: all member States must sign a treaty granting this organisation investigative power, including on their own territory.

Come back when the US (among others) will sign a paper allowing an international organisation to conduct an intrusive investigation on it's territory. Good luck with that!

 

Big difference is that western states often conduct their own lengthy and transparent investigations and they allow a public debate.

Just look at the time and energy spend on the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster or the JFK shooting while Russia sweep the Kursk under a dirty rug.

Accountability is not China's strength.  Let Australia run the investigation. 

[Salerno]

9 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Where this virus started seems rather academic

 

Not really, investigating where it started and how it jumped to humans is part and parcel of any outbreak of a disease to help inform planning/actions to counter future outbreaks of similar or new diseases. Being politicised is deplorable (as is the stupid finger pointing) but shouldn't give anyone a free pass.

[Chomper Higgot]

11 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

 

Big difference is that western states often conduct their own lengthy and transparent investigations and they allow a public debate.

Just look at the time and energy spend on the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster or the JFK shooting while Russia sweep the Kursk under a dirty rug.

Accountability is not China's strength.  Let Australia run the investigation. 

You have a rather rosy view of investigations in  ‘western states’.

[Bender Rodriguez]

KKK on stage ? need glasses

[Estrada]

Amazes me that the Americans have  a great number of mutant strains of COVID-19 thanks to Trump failing to inform the U.S. public. So now they blame the Chinese Virus, the U.K. virus and the South African Virus, but so far not the U.S. Virus... The main link is to the seafood markets and sea food imports in China, Thailand, Australia and other countries. The transmission efficiency of COVID is around 98% at 5 Deg.C but near zero at 30 Deg.C. Transmission in Thailand should drop as the night time temperature rises above 24 Deg.C by end February to March. COVID virions do not survive long outside of a host body except at low temperatures and climates with low humidity and temperatures. This is the main reason it has been kept under control and why flu viruses spread in the cold winter climates.

 

[vandeventer]

11 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Not quite true.

There are many reports about a 'foray' into a bat cave some six (?) years before. 4 of the 6 sample collectors died from 'respiratory' problems.

Samples were taken to the Wuhan lab and then experiments were performed.

China refuses to give any further details of what happened next.

They have banned doctors in Wuhan from talking to the investigators.

They have banned the public in Wuhan from talking to the investigators.

They have banned families of those in Wuhan that died or were ill from talking to the investigators.

This is a whitewash. No other word fits.

Why don't the Chinese just come clean, and tell the world that they started this mess that we are all in. But if the virus came from the lab in Wuhan[ which many think], than they will have a huge price to pay and I am not talking about money.

[klauskunkel]

foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday that the country would welcome the(ir) WHO team.

[Jeffr2]

15 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

Why don't the Chinese just come clean, and tell the world that they started this mess that we are all in. But if the virus came from the lab in Wuhan[ which many think], than they will have a huge price to pay and I am not talking about money.

 

Please, no conspiracy theories about a lab.  Those who believe that are CT in general.  Sadly....