• 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.

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.

Coronavirus scare: Panic buying in Ludhiana, other parts of state

“We were witnessing 10 to 20 per cent increase in sale in the past few days but Thursday people came in large numbers,” said Balwant Rai, the owner of the Mani Ram Balwant Rai store in the city.

Rush at a grocery store to purchase ration in Ludhiana on Thursday.

Grocery stores in Ludhiana saw a huge rush on Thursday ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s address to the nation that was broadcast at 8 pm in the evening.

“We were witnessing 10 to 20 per cent increase in sale in the past few days but Thursday people came in large numbers,” said Balwant Rai, the owner of the Mani Ram Balwant Rai store in the city.

The Indian Express saw a huge rush at the store, with customers having to wait for 30 minutes to get billing done. People were seen buying pulses, rice, flour, spices and frozen food in bulk. Due to high demand, the store owner even had to put a items-per-person cap to check hoarding.

Harman Singh, a costumer, said, “I am not buying in bulk, but a little more than what is needed.” Consumers in Model Town stores said they were making advance arrangements for a “lockdown”.

Scenes were similar at Civil Lines and even in small shops of Gandhi Colony, Kochar Market.

Although the government has announced that only weekly vegetable markets will be shut closed and vegetable will be available from wholesale mandis as well as from “rehris and pehris”, and even from retail shops as usual, but people did panic buying of vegetables too. Amarvir Singh, president of Punjab Wholesale Fruits and Vegetable Sellers Association said,”Fruits and vegetables are coming to wholesale markets in normal supply, but it is really sad that retailers are selling them at higher prices by creating a panic.”

“Rumours have spread in market that vegetables will not be available if there is a lockdown, hence we are purchasing. I got potatoes at Rs 60 a kg, while ginger was priced at over 100 a kg at retailer’s shop,” said Maya Devi, a customer at Pakhowal road. Potatoes are available at wholesale markets at Rs 10 per kg, while ginger is priced at Rs 50/kg.”Prices of all veggies are sky-rocketing, we have purchased potatoes, onions, garlic as a precautionary measure,” said Ramesh Kumar, a resident of New Model Town.

Panic buying was witnessed across the state including Bathinda, Muktsar, Barnala. “Rumours are also being spread that petrol pumps will also be closed for few days,” said Aditya Kumar, a resident of Mansa.