What's happened
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has shifted his stance on the origins of COVID-19, now suggesting it was man-made in a lab rather than transmitted from animals. This claim contrasts with recent scientific studies supporting the animal-to-human transmission theory from a Wuhan market.
Why it matters
What the papers say
In his memoir 'Unleashed', Boris Johnson claims that COVID-19 was likely man-made, stating, 'The awful thing about the whole Covid catastrophe is that it appears to have been entirely man-made.' This contrasts sharply with a recent study reported by The Independent, which found it 'beyond reasonable doubt' that the virus originated in a Wuhan animal market, identifying raccoon dogs as likely carriers. The Mirror highlights Johnson's previous beliefs linking the virus to traditional Chinese medicine practices, illustrating his evolving stance. Meanwhile, the Metro notes that the FBI has assessed a lab incident as the most likely origin, yet a WHO investigation deemed this theory 'extremely unlikely'. This divergence in views underscores the ongoing debate about the pandemic's origins and the implications for international relations and public health.
How we got here
Initially, Johnson attributed the pandemic to zoonotic transmission from animals in Wuhan. However, recent studies have reinforced the theory that the virus originated in a wet market, while Johnson's new memoir presents a controversial lab leak theory.
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