• With a potential global pandemic and geopolitical rivalry between the two superpowers, conspiracy theorists are having a field day

Columnist

My Take by Alex Lo

Was the new coronavirus created by China or the United States?

• With a potential global pandemic and geopolitical rivalry between the two superpowers, conspiracy theorists are having a field day

Alex Lo

Published: 9:00pm, 9 Feb, 2020

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Conspiracy theories have been spreading faster than the new coronavirus. Generally, though, they fall under two categories: (1) the virus is a bioweapon engineered by Chinese, who accidentally leaked it; or (2) it was created by Americans who deliberately released it.

One theory was spread by Bill Gertz of The Washington Times, whose motto is “Real. Trusted. News.” His story was based almost entirely on an Israeli biological warfare expert, one Dany Shoham. It pointed out that the epicentre of the outbreak was just 32km from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which houses China’s only P4-Level Biosafety Laboratory, the highest-level classification of labs that study the deadliest viruses on earth.

This theory is taken further by Tyler Durden of the right-wing news blog Zero Hedge. He has identified a mainland Chinese researcher at the Wuhan Institute only because he is a “pioneer of global bat immune system research” and that his CV makes him well-qualified to create a bioweapon like the new coronavirus. Twitter has suspended the blog’s account following the publication of the scientist’s personal details.

On a less outlandish note, the US government-funded Radio Free Asia has just rebroadcast a 2015 report about the Wuhan institute being China’s most advanced virus research lab.

Back in Hong Kong, blue-ribbon YouTube influencer, Jonathan Ho Chi-kwong, who has 210,000 subscribers, has been claiming for weeks that the virus was released by Washington as part of a multi-pronged war against China. After all, practically all the deaths have been Chinese on the mainland.

Experts have pointed out that as a bioweapon, the new virus is pretty useless. It appears to kill just 2 per cent of victims and each patient spreads it to an average of only 2.2 people.

Coronavirus: India sets up wellness facility for Indian pilgrims stuck in Iran

It also said two full-time and eight part-time Indian student volunteers are helping out dedicated Iranian medical personnel at the facility.

The Indian embassy in Iran has set up a “wellness facility” in Qom to take care of the coronavirus-infected Indian pilgrims. On Wednesday, the government had said 255 Indians in Iran had tested positive for COVID-19.

The facility has been set up with the help of Iranian authorities.

The Indian embassy tweeted on Thursday, “In cooperation with #health authorities in Qom set up a wellness facility to take care of & undertake 24/7 supervision of infected Indian pilgrims. The hygienic facility, surrounded by greenery, has ample space for the pilgrims to walk around.”

It also said two full-time and eight part-time Indian student volunteers are helping out dedicated Iranian medical personnel at the facility.

“All meals are being provided to the pilgrims by the Embassy. We are grateful to the Iranian authorities for their continued cooperation in this endeavor,” the embassy said in another tweet.

In a written reply on Wednesday, the government told the Lok Sabha, “The Indian Embassies in respective countries are in touch with the Indian citizens regarding appropriate medical attention, in cooperation with local authorities.”

According to sources, there was no change in the government position that they will bring back only those Indians who test negative for COVID-19. In line with this stand, on Wednesday, 195 Indians who had tested negative for an infection were brought back by a special aircraft from Iran and taken to an Army facility in Jaisalmer. With Wednesday’s evacuation, the government has so far brought back 584 Indians from Iran.

Himachal bans entry of foreign, domestic tourists

Police checkposts at entry points to the state in the border districts have been instructed to check all vehicles, and restrict the entry of tourists.

The Himachal Pradesh government on Thursday banned the entry of all tourists from outside the state – including domestic and foreign tourists – till further notice, in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

“Keeping in view the emergence of positive cases in all neighbouring states, including a case coming out to be positive at Chandigarh last night, a need is being felt to restrict the entry of tourists (both domestic and foreign nationals) to prevent the import of virus in the state,” an order issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) RD Dhiman said.

It added that widespread information, education and communication (IEC) activities must be undertaken within and outside the state to spread these instructions to avoid unnecessary harassment to the people and to ask them to reschedule their visits “after the crisis is over”.

It added that widespread information, education and communication (IEC) activities must be undertaken within and outside the state to spread these instructions to avoid unnecessary harassment to the people and to ask them to reschedule their visits “after the crisis is over”.

Police checkposts at entry points to the state in the border districts have been instructed to check all vehicles, and restrict the entry of tourists.

Reena Bhadalya, a resident of Shimla who was returning from Delhi on Thursday evening, said that she was stopped at a police barricade in Solan and asked to “go back as Shimla is closed”, and only allowed to proceed when officials ascertained she was not a tourist.

Officials said that hotels, guesthouses and homestays across the state have been directed to urge all foreign tourists to leave the state, though no official order has been issued to this effect.

The state government cancelled 31 long-route inter-state buses, mostly Volvo buses operating from Shimla, Dharamshala and Manali to Delhi and Chandigarh. The HRTC also cut short the route of Shimla-Tanakpur bus till Haridwar, and banned the entry of all private tourist buses. All buses and vehicles entering the state are being sanitised and passengers screened before entry, officials said.

Ninety one more people in the state with a travel history to the nations most affected by COVID-19 have been placed under home isolation, taking the total number of those currently isolated to 370, state health department officials said on Thursday.

Till date, no person in the state has been tested positive for the disease.

According to the department, 746 residents/visitors in the state have been placed under surveillance so far. Among these people, 279 people have already completed 28 days of observation while 89 others have left the state. Eight people were tested for the virus after they showed symptoms of the disease, but none of them tested positive.

Alarmed by reports of a positive case in neighbouring Chandigarh, residents of Shimla and other towns enhanced precautionary measures, scrambling to buy sanitisers, masks and stocks of essential commodities.

“Public transport in the entire region is set to be suspended which will affect the supply of several vital items such as milk and milk products, which are largely supplied by Punjab,” said Shimla resident Hemant Kumar. The HP State Rural Livelihood Mission on Thursday started selling masks which are available at its outlet in the Secretariat in Chhota Shimla.

“The triple-layer masks are made by self-help groups out of non-woven cloth, and priced at Rs 12 per piece,” Rural Development Secretary Dr R N Batta said.

“Residents can also place orders for the masks on the mobile number 81948-90099,” he added.

The State Election Commission has withdrawn the model code of conduct and the notified election programme for the conduct of a by-election in a ward of the Chamba Municipal Council, a spokesperson of the Commission said.

In Shimla, DC Amit Kashyap said that people spreading rumours about an impending closure of market-places and lockdown are being traced and will be dealt with strictly.

“If any such action (lockdown) is to be taken, it will be done only after making requisite arrangements for the well-being of the residents and after informing them through official communication in a timely manner,” he said.

Coronavirus Latest Updates: Italian tourist dies in Jaipur; More positive cases from Lucknow, Maharashtra

Coronavirus Cases In India: In a televised address to the nation, PM Modi advised people to venture out of their homes only when it is absolutely necessary. Social distancing is key to fight this menace, he said.

PM Modi said next few weeks are crucial in the fight against Coronavirus 

Coronavirus Latest News:  New cases of Coronavirus are being reported from Maharashtra, Lucknow, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat on Friday. An Italian tourist has died in Jaipur, Rajasthan. He was earlier declared Corona-negative.   The number of Coronavirus case continues to jump in India as the government has stepped up preventive measures to prevent the virus from creating more damage to the Indian economy and society. As of today, there are as many as 195 cases reported in India. 32 out of those infected are foreign nationals while the rest of them are Indians. Indian health officials and doctors have been able to cure 19 people who were infected with the COVID-19 but could not save the lives of 4 people.

Prime Minister Modi on Thursday addressed the nation in a bid to bring calmness to the people of India amid the increasing rage from the Coronavirus. He urged the countrymen to go for a self-imposed curfew- Janata Curfew to bring about isolation in our society, which is very much essential part of containment against the Coronavirus.

The government has also announced that no commercial international flights will be allowed to land in India from Sunday, March 22 for a week as cases of Coronavirus continue to rise in the country.

In developments today, the University Grants Council (UGC) asked universities to postpone exams till March 31. Also, CBSE, ICSE board class 10,12 exams have been postponed till March 31. In view of the COVID-19 outbreak, Sebi has given a 45-day extension to companies for filing Q4 results  — this is a month-long grace for filing FY20 results due to coronavirus pandemic.