So your/their assertion is that the ‘lab leak’ claims were always a reasonable exploration of the possible origins of COVID-19 (i.e. not a conspiracy theory)?
The assertion is that they believed that at the time internally.
It has never been the favored hypothesis among experts.
Because they thought that it was important that the experts get ahead of the science and take public positions that aren’t scientifically supported.
It was not favored because they believe it would damage “science” and relations with China.
The assertion is that they believed that at the time internally.
Because they thought that it was important that the experts get ahead of the science and take public positions that aren’t scientifically supported.
It was not favored because they believe it would damage “science” and relations with China.