China's defender in chief. If this was a lab leak China absolutely has failed the world by not telling us for several reasons. If it was a lab leak then China could have immediately turned over everything they knew on the virus. This could have given us a huge advantage in treating patients or knowing the best methods to stop the spread. Instead, we've learned these things on the fly.
Also it would trigger a discussion that needs to happen on GOF research and if it should be a sanctioned activity. Given the repeated history of lab leaks including in the US's BSL4 facilities by doing GOF research, we are playing with fire. It is not if a very bad virus far worse the COVID get's released, it's when.
The punishment should not be because the leak happened. The research is allowed internationally and is done in the US. We should review the policies but you can't punish them for something that is allowed and China was using the proper BSL labs for these viruses. The crime is in the cover-up. Not telling the world this potentially dangerous virus was potentially is absolutely an international crime and should be heavily punished if true.