Where do you get your assertion that it is a natural event ?
The Internet, same as you. Maybe we're reading different information.
People have been cohabiting with these bats for centuries
True, which is why some local people in the areas already had antibodies to the virus.
No zoonotic pandemic
Local animals had already developed antibodies and resistance.
Suddenly we have this one
That's because the virus spread from it's previously confined area and infected people across the globe that had no antibodies.
The variant keeps mutating
That's what viruses do. And being a member of the Covid family this virus is more advanced than most cold/flu related viruses. And it has had more opportunity to mutate as it has infected millions of people and spread across the world.
It seems to target the human cells with quite eerie familiarity
That, combined with the fact it is very contagious is why it's been such a threat.
If it is natural we need to be sure
I agree, but the Chinese are now reluctant to allow further investigations. I can understand why they would be insulted.
If it is man made we also need to be sure
I agree, and I'm convinced it isn't man made.
Why the rush to shut down one hypothesis
It's not a new hypothesis, it keeps reappearing because some people keep believing conspiracy theories.
Because that may upset vested interests
Such As?
Because we are so compromised economically and politically by our relationship with an obviously despotic albeit successful regime
Yes we need to lift our game. What are our chances considering the fact we spend so much time arguing amongst ourselves?
If as some predict China is the dominant world power in the next fifty years we may just want to know exactly what we are getting ourselves in to.
I think China will be the dominant world power much sooner than most people think. Partly because their population is used to co-operative action. Something the Western countries need to improve.
COVID has changed the world
Yes and it's still changing. A real shame it was able to gain a foothold in otherwise developed countries partly due to conspiracy theorists resisting vaccinations etc.
I do not have an answer but the whole thing seems a bit contrived
New things do affect some people that way.
