Mary Wilson
Well-known member
Volume 398, Issue 10296, 17–23 July 2021, Pages 209-211
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01419-7
Charles HCalisher[SUP]a[/SUP]DennisCarroll[SUP]b[/SUP]RitaColwell[SUP]c[/SUP]Ronald BCorley[SUP]d[/SUP]PeterDaszak[SUP]e[/SUP]ChristianDrosten[SUP]f[/SUP]LuisEnjuanes[SUP]g[/SUP]JeremyFarrar[SUP]h[/SUP]HumeField[SUP]i[/SUP]JosieGolding[SUP]h[/SUP]Alexander EGorbalenya[SUP]j[/SUP]BartHaagmans[SUP]k[/SUP]James MHughes[SUP]l[/SUP]Gerald TKeusch[SUP]d[/SUP]Sai KitLam[SUP]m[/SUP]JuanLubroth[SUP]n[/SUP]John SMackenzie[SUP]o[/SUP]LarryMadoff[SUP]p[/SUP]…MichaelTurner[SUP]v[/SUP]
On Feb 19, 2020, we, a group of physicians, veterinarians, epidemiologists, virologists, biologists, ecologists, and public health experts from around the world, joined together to express solidarity with our professional colleagues in China.[SUP]1[/SUP] Unsubstantiated allegations were being raised about the source of the COVID-19 outbreak and the integrity of our peers who were diligently working to learn more about the newly recognised virus, SARS-CoV-2, while struggling to care for the many patients admitted to hospital with severe illness in Wuhan and elsewhere in China.
It was the beginning of a global tragedy, the COVID-19 pandemic. According to WHO, as of July 2, 2021, the pandemic has resulted in 182 101 209 confirmed cases and 3 950 876 deaths, both undoubtedly underestimates of the real toll.
... The second intent of our original Correspondence was to express our working view that SARS-CoV-2 most likely originated in nature and not in a laboratory, on the basis of early genetic analysis of the new virus and well established evidence from previous emerging infectious diseases, including the coronaviruses that cause the common cold as well as the original SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV.[SUP]2[/SUP] Opinions, however, are neither data nor conclusions. Evidence obtained using the scientific method must inform our understanding and be the basis for interpretation of the available information. The process is not error-free, but it is self-correcting as good scientists endeavour to continually ask new questions, apply new methodologies as they are developed, and revise their conclusions through an open and transparent sharing of data and ongoing dialogue.
The critical question we must address now is, how did SARS-CoV-2 reach the human population?
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673621014197