For most of last year, the idea that the coronavirus pandemic could have been triggered by a laboratory accident in Wuhan, China, was largely dismissed as a racist conspiracy theory of the alt-right. The Washington Post in early 2020 accused Senator Tom Cotton of “fanning the embers of a conspiracy theory that has been repeatedly debunked by experts.” CNN jumped in with “How to debunk coronavirus conspiracy theories and misinformation from friends and family.” Most other mainstream outlets, from The New York Times (“fringe theory”) to NPR (“Scientists debunk lab accident theory”), were equally dismissive. (Newsweek and a few other media outlets were exceptions.)
Recently, however, the story has burst into the public discourse. President Joe Biden has demanded an investigation by U.S. intelligence. And the mainstream media, in an astonishing about-face, is treating the possibility with deadly seriousness.
The reason for the sudden shift in attitudes is clear: Over the weeks and months of the pandemic, the pileup of circumstantial evidence pointing to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) kept growing— until it became too substantial to ignore.
Denne historien er fra July 02 - 09, 2021-utgaven av Newsweek.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 02 - 09, 2021-utgaven av Newsweek.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Jim Parsons
FRESH OFF HIS TONY NOMINATION FOR MOTHER PLAY, JIM PARSONS IS BACK on Broadway in Our Town. So, does he not like taking a break? \"Until [Big Bang Theory] wrapped in 2019, I did not really know what it was to take a break that was not only extended, but also uncertain.\"
'Frank's an Icon, and My Dad'
Moon Unit Zappa on navigating childhood as a rock star's daughter
THE WORLD'S BEST SMART HOSPITALS 2025
TECHNOLOGY HAS TRANSFORMED HEALTH CARE. TELEHEALTH SERVICES NOW ENABLE ROUNDthe-clock communication between patients and medical providers, and it is estimated that over 116 million individuals will seek virtual consultations with doctors in 2024, according to Statista data.
THE WORLD'S BEST SPECIALIZED HOSPITALS 2025
MOST OF US WILL NEED TO SEE A SPECIALIST AT some point, whether it's an obstetrician, a cardiologist, an orthopedist or another. But seeking care outside of your primary physician can be daunting. To help patients make these important decisions, Newsweek is partnering with Statista for the fifth year to rank the World's Best Specialized Hospitals.
MEDICINE'S EXHAUSTED MASSES
Is generative AI the cure to doctor burnout that will allow physicians to focus on what matters most their patients?
One Election, Two Different Campaigns
Newsweek asks political scientists to break down Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump's strategies for winning the 2024 election
Georgia's Nightmare for the West
Ruling party Georgian Dream has raised fears that the once-aspiring NATO country is aligning more closely with Russia
Terry Crews
FOR TERRY CREWS, THERE ARE NO RULES.
Carrie Coon
CARRIE COON IS HAVING A MOMENT, EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT RECognize her.
Still Doin' It Well
Ahead of the release of his new album, The FORCE, LL Cool J told Newsweek of his strong desire to keep contributing to the hip-hop culture he helped create