Very good, MAGA folks... now, keep going...

I can't remember if I ever took a position on where the coronavirus originated from. Imgflip doesn't have a way for me to search my own comments.

From a purely logical point of view, I don't believe Trump supporters are using mainstream media to corroborate their claims...they're pointing out that mainstream media is now agreeing with *them* in turn and thereby executing more of a, "Ha! Way to come around to what we've been saying." than a, "You guys are saying it true, so it must be true." maneuver.

Personally I've been of the opinion that it originated in the Wuhan lab since I learned such a lab existed...the possibility that such a contagious virus *happened* to originate naturally in a wet market in the same city as a lab studying similar viruses is just infinitesimally small, especially when we factor in CCP smokescreens.

Though we still don’t know for sure, it’s totally plausible that the virus leaked from a coronavirus lab: particularly given what we know about the CCP’s tendency to cover-up embarrassing info, and the new reports that have recently become public (several of those lab workers falling ill as early as November 2019).

It is all too convenient for Xi Jinping if the worst pandemic in a century came from a nameless peasant who ate a bat from a wet market: untraceable, forever anonymous.

The problem with those who were floating this Wuhan lab theory last year (and in recognition of the latest reports, let’s not label it a “conspiracy theory” anymore):

1. There simply wasn’t evidence for it;
2. Many were hysterically labeling Covid a “Chinese bioterror attack” — there is still no evidence of that or even good reasons to think that;
3. Many were running around maskless in bars coughing on each other and otherwise behaving as if the virus wasn’t a big deal, totally inconsistently with the concept that it was a bioterror attack;
4. Among this right-wing disinformation milieu, there were also many denying that Covid was even real.

The Wuhan lab rumors functioned as a means of shifting the focus from the Covid precautions that we knew worked and were essential, into a xenophobic blame game. It sucked the oxygen away from the levelheaded advice being given by the CDC and others.

It would have be been all too convenient for Trump if China, one of his favorite political scapegoats, was responsible. Yet a total red herring in regards to his own massive failures in managing the crisis right here at home.

So, I don’t mind that some social media platforms cracked down on it. I wish Imgflip had done more of that.

1. There indeed wasn't much evidence for it, but that's not necessarily something that would immediately make such claims conspiracy theories given it's entirely plausible if you just look at the pieces in play here (lab + crowded urban center = potential no bueno grande [I don't speak Spanish, incidentally]). A fine line, to be sure, but one I think can be clearly drawn.

2. Agreed. To any reasonable person, it is evident China has no reason to launch a bio-attack on the planet at large. The evidence against such a move, both in practice and in light of their global strategy to this point, is overwhelming and irrefutable. It wouldn't be something I'd rule out if this came from say, North Korea, Iran, or other similar state, but that didn't happen and will be relegated to the historical hypothetical dustbin.

3. Willful idiots strike again. I personally didn't change up my routine much once lockdown ended, but I've always been pretty conscientious regarding personal and public hygiene, so other than wearing a mask where people asked me to there wasn't much to change...for your average, "I cough on my hand, adjust my contact lid with that hand, and then shake yours." person though it certainly was downplayed to a degree totally inconsistent with the alleged bio-attack mania.

4. Willful idiots strike yet again...smh

As you note, it did function as a serious distraction from actual measures taken domestically, and we saw serious failures (as well as chalked up notable successes) at ALL levels (Federal, State, and Local).

In the end, I regard it as one of those situations where you hate the speech being thrown around, but it's still free speech. Best thing we can do to combat it is drown them out with actual facts, realistic strategy, and in general exercise our free speech louder than they do theirs. Private platforms can do as they will, of course.

Wouldn't make them conspiracy theories - I don't recall the originated from a lab being labeled as a conspiracy theory on its own. It was just so often bunched with crazier shit that it caught flack.

Like so much else Trump said, he put it out as "We have evidence..." and nothing. So for me personally, I wouldn't say it was derided as a conspiracy theory so much as it was viewed as not proven/not from a reputable source.

A fair point to raise, for sure. That said, I saw plenty of people, who were largely on the left, deride ANYONE even mentioning the lab as a 'conspiracy theorist', so it certainly happened to some degree or another.

Idiots, as always, will be idiots.

Truer words have never been spoken. I think for me, it was the fact that it was all but pointless. Like talking about whether a forest fire was natural, accidental (campers maybe), or was arson.

I mean, yes, we care. Yes we should investigate, but it has nothing to do with what is happening on the ground, does nothing to change our fire fighting tactics.

Exactly.

CULT45- fact