Nimrod103 wrote: from the outset of this pandemic the most obvious, logical and sensible view about the virus origins is that it came from the Wuhan lab, where research on making new viruses, and enhancing the infectiousness of existing viruses was taking place. It was always incredible, illogical and stupid to claim that the origin of the virus must have been in a wet market a hundred yards away from that lab. Yet the wet market theory was pushed by scientists and politicians alike, and dissenting voices were loudly shouted down.
OTOH: If you want a conspiracy theory, then the question you have to ask is "Who has gained from this?"
Clearly not the Chinese. They've been blamed for starting it. Their vaccine is dirt cheap, so little financial profit to be had. And its performance has not been impressive either, so no kudos for "saving the world".
The clear "winners" have been US pharma companies. Pfizer and Moderna. By an amazing coincidence they had a brand new vaccine tech MRNA, just sat waiting for approval. It has proved to be the most effective vaccine of all, and sold worldwide at huge profit.
And if you wanted to "plant" a virus infection, where better than right outside the virus lab of your greatest rival for global power. They're bound to get the blame. Who's going to even look for any other source?
Gryff
PS. I may or may not actually support this theory. TBH would be more plausible if they'd waited until their tech was approved, and significant production facilities in place. Oh, and you didn't have a looney president who would ignore your lovely vaccine in favour of bleach injections and prayer meetings. But it is far more plausible than the Chinese govt releasing it deliberately.