Examining China Bat Woman's Warning on Future COVID and Unresolved Questions about COVID-19 Origins

Hi, thank you for watching Digging 2 China, I am Dong Xiong. If you have not done so already, please subscribe to my channel. Thank you very much. On Sept. 24, an article in the South China Morning Post revealed that Dr. Shi Zhengli, a prominent Chinese virologist and specialist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, published a paper in July. In her paper, she issued a caution about the potential emergence of another coronavirus in the future, emphasizing the necessity for global readiness to address infectious diseases akin to the novel coronavirus. Dr. Shi Zhengli's paper was written in English and published in the journal Emerging Microbes and Infections. According to the South China Morning Post report, Dr. Shi Zhengli and her team assessed the risk of 40 different coronavirus cysts transmitting to humans, with approximately half of them categorized as high risk. Among these 40 coronaviruses, six have already been found to infect humans and cause diseases, while three others have the potential to cause diseases or transmit to other animals. The report notes that Dr. Shi Zhengli, often referred to as a bad woman, and her colleagues warned in their paper that if coronaviruses were capable of causing diseases in the past, there is a high likelihood that they could do so again in the future, and the re-emergence of coronavirus diseases is almost certain. Dr. Shi Zhengli's paper was actually published in July, but it only garnered attention on Chinese social media networks by the end of September. This delayed interest can be attributed to, in part, in the fact that the research was originally penned in a language other than Chinese. The report also highlights that an expert from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention noted that this reflects people's desire to move away from the topic. This is especially relevant considering China's sudden decontinuation of its zero-COVID policy. Furthermore, Chinese officials have either deliberately or unintentionally downplayed the pandemic, with some cities ceasing to report infection data. Given the highly sensitive nature of Dr. Shi Zhengli's research, many Chinese virologists are hesitant to provide comments. The report primarily delves into the analysis of coronavirus characteristics, including their populations, genetic diversity, host species, and shared historical context between humans and animals. The report by the South China Morning Post has attracted the attention of mainstream international media. Many media outlets have also undertaken analysis and commentary on this report. In light of this news event, I would like to offer five viewpoints for discussion. Firstly, the international community still lacks clarity regarding the origin of the COVID-19 virus. We don't know whether Shi Zhengli possesses relevant information. She has not disclosed the source of the virus in 2019, but she is cautioning the world that similar viruses may reappear. Consequently, the issue of tracing the COVID-19 virus origin remains an unsolved challenge for humanity. The World Health Organization has explicitly noted that the Chinese Communist Party's interference and deliberate withholding of initial pandemic data have impeded the investigation into the virus' origins, which triggered a significant global pandemic. This issue cannot be overlooked. Secondly, the CCP has not only refrained from sharing original data from the initial stage of the pandemic, but as per the World Health Organization's statements, they have also consistently hindered a second wave of WHO experts from conducting investigations within China. They have not issued visas or granted access to these experts. These actions imply that the Chinese Communist Party might be intentionally obfuscating or concealing the virus' origin. Thirdly, Dr. Shi Zhengli has consistently remained in the spotlight of international media due to widespread belief that she has a connection to the events of the past three years. Despite this, Shi Zhengli herself has not addressed or alleviated the suspicions surrounding her. Currently, there are two primary areas of suspicion concerning Dr. Shi Zhengli. The first point of suspicion centers on Shi Zhengli's motivation for conducting research on the enhancement of coronavirus functions. It is widely accepted to study naturally occurring viruses, assess their human infectivity, and investigate preventive measures. However, questions arise regarding the extensive research conducted to enhance the virus' capabilities. The second area of suspicion relates to a widely circulated photograph featuring Shi Zhengli and her colleagues inside the coronavirus research lab without any protective gear. This has led to significant concerns regarding the possibility of virus leaks and transmission, further fueling global suspicions about the virus' potential origins in the lab. The fact that they were observed in such a hazardous environment lacking any protective equipment, coupled with reported safety deficiencies at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, adds weight to the theory of a potential lab-originated virus leak. While I lack expertise in this field, there are more specialized questions raised and the Chinese government's response has been inadequate. Fourth, how did the SARS epidemic originate? What led to the emergence of the SARS virus in 2003 remains a mystery to this day, and the Chinese government has not provided any clear explanations or conducted thorough investigations. This same lack of clarity persists in the case of the current COVID-19 pandemic. We still don't have a complete understanding of its origins, and whether we can uncover the truth remains uncertain. The situation is ongoing and it may endure for an extended period, unlike SARS, which appeared suddenly and disappeared. When we consider these unresolved questions together, it's hard to avoid suspicions that certain forces may be intentionally involved. Otherwise, why wouldn't Dr. Shi Zhengli, who possesses the necessary expertise and resources, engage in research to help shed light on these vital issues for the benefit of humanity? Fifth, what might happen during the next pandemic resembling a coronavirus? I anticipate a scenario reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic and even a replay of the SARS outbreak. When such a pandemic goes global, China is likely to rely on strict control measures and the discipline of its citizens, implementing basic isolation procedures to initially curb its spread, repeating a similar pattern. On the other hand, Western democracies known for their less centralized management might experience initial disarray in the early stages of the pandemic. Nevertheless, as observed in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, Western nations are likely to capitalize on their advanced technological capabilities to develop effective vaccines and treatments, taking the lead in overcoming the crisis. My concern is that if such a situation recurs, it possesses a global threat. Today, there is a concern that if Shi Zhengli's warning about the pandemic goes unheeded, it could return with the same pattern of dealing with the outbreak. Of course, humanity must remain vigilant against potential bioterrorists with backgrounds in biology, genetics, and virology. It's not unthinkable that some individuals might intentionally create and spread viruses, posing an entirely different kind of threat. This is a challenge that requires collective global defense efforts. Thank you for watching. Please leave a comment and subscribe to my channel. Just click the subscribe button right here. I'll see you again shortly. Until then, be well.