The most likely candidate for this virus, and most future viruses that produce pandemics, will be environmental destruction and animal agriculture.
We know there are novel viruses out there, too many to count. Even if this started in a lab the most likely reason is that scientists need to study the viruses that we will be coming into contact with as we commit, as a species, to more environmental destruction. I'm really exhausted of watching scientists get blamed repeatedly for the failures of our economic and social systems to act responsibly.
Sure, the lab hypothesis might have some weight, some possibility of being true. It's still a red herring, either a distraction from the real issues we face by accident or design, or both.
The question of a lab leak is not incidental. The virus has caused massive suffering (and will continue to as we understand the fallout IMO).
If it leaked from a lab and that was hidden from the world we have to wonder how much suffering could have been avoided if all the information was given freely as Chinese authorities knew it.
There are some who suggest the virus was allowed to spread beyond China as a way to ensure China didn't fall behind competivley. Pure speculation, but we need to knowing if it came from a lab is a hugely important question.
Considering how much of the biosphere humans have destroyed I have my doubts about this theory I bet there are fewer novel viruses out there than any time in human history. I have a lot more fear of a crackpot despotic country like NK getting it's hands on something like a version of anthrax that is as virulent/transmissible as covid.
We know there are novel viruses out there, too many to count. Even if this started in a lab the most likely reason is that scientists need to study the viruses that we will be coming into contact with as we commit, as a species, to more environmental destruction. I'm really exhausted of watching scientists get blamed repeatedly for the failures of our economic and social systems to act responsibly.
Sure, the lab hypothesis might have some weight, some possibility of being true. It's still a red herring, either a distraction from the real issues we face by accident or design, or both.