Chinese Research says India and Bangladesh is the Virus Origin, WHO: "Highly Speculative"
Wuhan Virus Pandemic broke out in Wuhan last year in late December. The total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases is approaching 62 million across the world so far.
China has been claiming in recent month that the source of the pandemic may be from the United States, France or even Italy, denying the allegation of 'Wuhan Virus originates in China'. Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences publishes a report through Social Science Research Network (SSRN), indicating that the Wuhan Virus "probably" comes from India and Bangladesh, transmitted from monkeys to human, and discovered in Wuhan after half a year. However, the report has not undergone any peer review and, therefore, cannot be considered as a rigorous academic finding.
Mike Ryan, an Epidemiologists at the WHO, said on 27 November, 2020 that it is "highly speculative" to say the coronavirus not emerged from China. Ryan said at a video meeting in Geneva, "From a public health perspective, it is clear that the Epidemiology investigation should begin at where the human cases first emerged, followed by understanding the cases outbreak and the outbreak process." He added that the WHO had always intended to send researchers to the Wuhan food market to probe the virus origins further.
However, until now, no experts from WHO has been to Wuhan for on-site research. During the mission in July, experts only stayed in Beijing for three weeks. While being asked if any experts would go to Wuhan for the investigation, Director-General of WHO, Tedros, finally confirmed the visit, which would be the first time since the pandemics have started for a year.
#WuhanVirus #COVID19 #China #India #Bangladesh #WHO #MikeRyan #Tedros #ShanghaiInstitutesforBiologicalSciences #SocialScienceResearchNetwork #SSRN
Source: Stand News #Nov28
https://bit.ly/37iQfqu
Wuhan Virus Pandemic broke out in Wuhan last year in late December. The total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases is approaching 62 million across the world so far.
China has been claiming in recent month that the source of the pandemic may be from the United States, France or even Italy, denying the allegation of 'Wuhan Virus originates in China'. Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences publishes a report through Social Science Research Network (SSRN), indicating that the Wuhan Virus "probably" comes from India and Bangladesh, transmitted from monkeys to human, and discovered in Wuhan after half a year. However, the report has not undergone any peer review and, therefore, cannot be considered as a rigorous academic finding.
Mike Ryan, an Epidemiologists at the WHO, said on 27 November, 2020 that it is "highly speculative" to say the coronavirus not emerged from China. Ryan said at a video meeting in Geneva, "From a public health perspective, it is clear that the Epidemiology investigation should begin at where the human cases first emerged, followed by understanding the cases outbreak and the outbreak process." He added that the WHO had always intended to send researchers to the Wuhan food market to probe the virus origins further.
However, until now, no experts from WHO has been to Wuhan for on-site research. During the mission in July, experts only stayed in Beijing for three weeks. While being asked if any experts would go to Wuhan for the investigation, Director-General of WHO, Tedros, finally confirmed the visit, which would be the first time since the pandemics have started for a year.
#WuhanVirus #COVID19 #China #India #Bangladesh #WHO #MikeRyan #Tedros #ShanghaiInstitutesforBiologicalSciences #SocialScienceResearchNetwork #SSRN
Source: Stand News #Nov28
https://bit.ly/37iQfqu
The US, Japan and Other Allies of Taiwan Give Speech at WHA in Support of Taiwan
The World Health Assembly (WHA) has held its online conference earlier this week. The US previously urged the WHA to invite Taiwan to participate as an observer, but the appeal was rejected by the World Health Organization (WHO). Nonetheless, the US, Japan, and a number of countries with diplomatic ties with Taiwan spoke up for Taiwan during their speeches at the conference. The Central News Agency (from Taiwan) reported that during the speeches that supported Taiwan, the assembly stopped the live broadcasting twice, citing the reason that they were irrelevant to the agenda.
During the conference, Garrett Grigsby, Director of the Office of Global Affairs in the US Department of Health and Human Services, expressed that Taiwan has made impressive achievements in combatting the COVID pandemic. He said that it would be beneficial to the response to the pandemic if WHO members could understand and take reference from Taiwan’s experience. Instead, WHO’s blocking of Taiwan from participating in the conference as an observer was counterproductive. Grigsby emphasised that while each country worked to strengthen its capacity under the pandemic, countries should also share information about the pandemic and develop a transparent global architecture to detect threats early and prevent the further spreading of the virus.
#US #Japan #Taiwan #TaiwanAllies #WHA #WHO #COVID19 #WuhanVirus #Pandemic #GarrettGrigsby #Grigsby #WorldHealthAssembly #WorldHealthOrganization
Source: Stand News #Nov11
https://bit.ly/37HHXaG
The World Health Assembly (WHA) has held its online conference earlier this week. The US previously urged the WHA to invite Taiwan to participate as an observer, but the appeal was rejected by the World Health Organization (WHO). Nonetheless, the US, Japan, and a number of countries with diplomatic ties with Taiwan spoke up for Taiwan during their speeches at the conference. The Central News Agency (from Taiwan) reported that during the speeches that supported Taiwan, the assembly stopped the live broadcasting twice, citing the reason that they were irrelevant to the agenda.
During the conference, Garrett Grigsby, Director of the Office of Global Affairs in the US Department of Health and Human Services, expressed that Taiwan has made impressive achievements in combatting the COVID pandemic. He said that it would be beneficial to the response to the pandemic if WHO members could understand and take reference from Taiwan’s experience. Instead, WHO’s blocking of Taiwan from participating in the conference as an observer was counterproductive. Grigsby emphasised that while each country worked to strengthen its capacity under the pandemic, countries should also share information about the pandemic and develop a transparent global architecture to detect threats early and prevent the further spreading of the virus.
#US #Japan #Taiwan #TaiwanAllies #WHA #WHO #COVID19 #WuhanVirus #Pandemic #GarrettGrigsby #Grigsby #WorldHealthAssembly #WorldHealthOrganization
Source: Stand News #Nov11
https://bit.ly/37HHXaG
The Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Continued to Criticize China's Vaccine with Low Effectiveness
The Sao Paulo State in Brazil planned to use the Wuhan Virus vaccine developed by Sinovac from China. But President Jair Bolsonaro continued to judge this vaccine, saying that its effectiveness was seemingly low.
Bolsonaro made a Christmas speech on the internet on Thursday saying "The effectiveness of the vaccine which used by Sao Paulo State is relatively low”. But he did not make further explanations. He also indicated earlier that he would not inject this vaccine.
Source from: Apple Daily #Dec25
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201225/XZOOEURQHBBHDENNGW6GVJMTQQ/
#Brazil #China #WuhanVirus #Vaccine #Sinovac #JairBolsonaro #COVID19
The Sao Paulo State in Brazil planned to use the Wuhan Virus vaccine developed by Sinovac from China. But President Jair Bolsonaro continued to judge this vaccine, saying that its effectiveness was seemingly low.
Bolsonaro made a Christmas speech on the internet on Thursday saying "The effectiveness of the vaccine which used by Sao Paulo State is relatively low”. But he did not make further explanations. He also indicated earlier that he would not inject this vaccine.
Source from: Apple Daily #Dec25
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201225/XZOOEURQHBBHDENNGW6GVJMTQQ/
#Brazil #China #WuhanVirus #Vaccine #Sinovac #JairBolsonaro #COVID19
Confidential document says Beijing refuses to fund local CDC, bureaucracy causes collapse of the medical system and loss of epidemic prevention and fighting function
The initial outbreak of Wuhan COVID-19 in China has spread globally. The leaked documents received by CNN not only reflect China's mishandling of the epidemic but also reveal that China's health care system has been riddled with problems for a prolonged period of time and that when the epidemic escalated, officials and medical personnel generally took it lightly, further contributing to the global outbreak of the virus.
After SARS in 2003, the Chinese authorities spent 167 million USD (about 1.3 billion HKD) to set up a notification system. Theoretically, the system allows regional hospitals or disease prevention centres to directly report outbreaks to the central government and share relevant information with the entire country. However, according to a report in the paper, the system itself slowed down, and other bureaucratic constraints have further impeded information flow.
Compared to major cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, Wuhan's medical system received relatively few resources. An audit report completed last October pointed out that Hubei Province's disease prevention centre was underfunded. The lack of proper testing equipment and motivated medical staff, especially in the early stages of the outbreak when they still used SARS-era equipment, was completely neglected by the Chinese Bureaucracy.
#China #SARS #COVID19 #Pandemic #Epidemic #WuhanVirus #CNN #MedicalSystem #MedicalStaff
Source: Apple Daily #Dec01
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201201/BPEWL3L7FZC3RFGNWLBEWQ5P7M/
The initial outbreak of Wuhan COVID-19 in China has spread globally. The leaked documents received by CNN not only reflect China's mishandling of the epidemic but also reveal that China's health care system has been riddled with problems for a prolonged period of time and that when the epidemic escalated, officials and medical personnel generally took it lightly, further contributing to the global outbreak of the virus.
After SARS in 2003, the Chinese authorities spent 167 million USD (about 1.3 billion HKD) to set up a notification system. Theoretically, the system allows regional hospitals or disease prevention centres to directly report outbreaks to the central government and share relevant information with the entire country. However, according to a report in the paper, the system itself slowed down, and other bureaucratic constraints have further impeded information flow.
Compared to major cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, Wuhan's medical system received relatively few resources. An audit report completed last October pointed out that Hubei Province's disease prevention centre was underfunded. The lack of proper testing equipment and motivated medical staff, especially in the early stages of the outbreak when they still used SARS-era equipment, was completely neglected by the Chinese Bureaucracy.
#China #SARS #COVID19 #Pandemic #Epidemic #WuhanVirus #CNN #MedicalSystem #MedicalStaff
Source: Apple Daily #Dec01
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201201/BPEWL3L7FZC3RFGNWLBEWQ5P7M/
WHO Experts Went to Wuhan to Investigate the Origin of COVID but were Refused for Entry. Tedros: Very disappointed
WHO stated on 5th January that China had not approved the entry of the expert group for the investigation on the origin of Wuhan Virus. WHO Director-General Tedros rarely indicated that he was very disappointed with China and stated that two experts have already set off to Wuhan but reported that Chinese officials did not approve their entry permit. He emphasised that China and the WHO had a joint agreement in December last year on this investigation arrangement.
Tedros said at a press conference in Geneva, “I was very disappointed with this news. I have contacted senior Chinese officials, and have also indicated again that this mission was prioritised in the WHO and the international team.” He clearly stated that WHO is “eager to complete the task as soon as possible”, and China has even assured him that Beijing will speed up internal procedures and let the expert team make an arrangement as soon as possible.
#China #WHO #WuhanVirus #TedrosAdhanomGhebreyesus #Tedros #COVID19
Source from: The Stand News #Jan06
https://bit.ly/2Y1X7mJ
WHO stated on 5th January that China had not approved the entry of the expert group for the investigation on the origin of Wuhan Virus. WHO Director-General Tedros rarely indicated that he was very disappointed with China and stated that two experts have already set off to Wuhan but reported that Chinese officials did not approve their entry permit. He emphasised that China and the WHO had a joint agreement in December last year on this investigation arrangement.
Tedros said at a press conference in Geneva, “I was very disappointed with this news. I have contacted senior Chinese officials, and have also indicated again that this mission was prioritised in the WHO and the international team.” He clearly stated that WHO is “eager to complete the task as soon as possible”, and China has even assured him that Beijing will speed up internal procedures and let the expert team make an arrangement as soon as possible.
#China #WHO #WuhanVirus #TedrosAdhanomGhebreyesus #Tedros #COVID19
Source from: The Stand News #Jan06
https://bit.ly/2Y1X7mJ
立場新聞 Stand News
【武漢肺炎】世衞專家赴武漢查病毒起源 遭拒絕入境 譚德塞：非常失望 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞
世衛周二（5 日）指，中國至今仍未批准專家組入境調查武漢肺炎起源。世衞總幹事譚德塞更罕有地表示，對中國感到非常...
WHO Experts Visit Market in Wuhan to Trace the Pandemic’s Origin, Reporters Shut Out by Chinese Authorities
As the Wuhan virus pandemic enters its second year, a group of specialists sent by the WHO arrived in Wuhan on 14 January to investigate the pandemic’s origin. During their visit to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market on 31 January, local authorities cordoned off the market with water-filled barriers with officers standing in front of reporters to keep them out.
Footage by Reuters show that a number of officers stopped reporters and other people from following vehicles that carried the WHO specialists into the market and set up barriers on the perimeter. The specialists, wearing visitor badges, did not respond to questions from reporters when they got out of their cars. They also visited the Jinyintan Hospital, where early Wuhan disease patients had been treated, and exhibitions showcasing efforts to combat the pandemic that day.
Source: Stand News #Jan31
#China #WHO #Wuhan #WuhanVirus #WuhanPneumonia #COVID19 #Pandemic
https://bit.ly/3oR2D6V
As the Wuhan virus pandemic enters its second year, a group of specialists sent by the WHO arrived in Wuhan on 14 January to investigate the pandemic’s origin. During their visit to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market on 31 January, local authorities cordoned off the market with water-filled barriers with officers standing in front of reporters to keep them out.
Footage by Reuters show that a number of officers stopped reporters and other people from following vehicles that carried the WHO specialists into the market and set up barriers on the perimeter. The specialists, wearing visitor badges, did not respond to questions from reporters when they got out of their cars. They also visited the Jinyintan Hospital, where early Wuhan disease patients had been treated, and exhibitions showcasing efforts to combat the pandemic that day.
Source: Stand News #Jan31
#China #WHO #Wuhan #WuhanVirus #WuhanPneumonia #COVID19 #Pandemic
https://bit.ly/3oR2D6V
US media: #BGI and the People’s Liberation Army collaborate to collect DNA data
According to reports of The Reuters and current affairs program "60 Minutes" of CBS, BGI Group – the world’s largest biotechnology company, is ties to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), including working with PLA supercomputer experts on research that range from respiratory pathogens to brain science. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, BGI sells millions of COVID-19 test kits in Europe, America, and Australia. US security officials have warned American labs against using Chinese test kids, concerning China on gathering foreign genetic data for its own research, though BGI strongly denied.
By searching over 40 publicly available documents and research papers in Chinese and English, the Reuters showed the links between BGI Group and PLA are closer than previously understood, reflecting how China integrates private technology companies into military-related research under President Xi Jinping.
Source: The Stand News #Jan30
https://bit.ly/3rGBGVj
#China #CBS #Reuters #Biotechnology #BGIGroup #COVID19 #WuhanVirus #Military #60Minutes #PLA
According to reports of The Reuters and current affairs program "60 Minutes" of CBS, BGI Group – the world’s largest biotechnology company, is ties to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), including working with PLA supercomputer experts on research that range from respiratory pathogens to brain science. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, BGI sells millions of COVID-19 test kits in Europe, America, and Australia. US security officials have warned American labs against using Chinese test kids, concerning China on gathering foreign genetic data for its own research, though BGI strongly denied.
By searching over 40 publicly available documents and research papers in Chinese and English, the Reuters showed the links between BGI Group and PLA are closer than previously understood, reflecting how China integrates private technology companies into military-related research under President Xi Jinping.
Source: The Stand News #Jan30
https://bit.ly/3rGBGVj
#China #CBS #Reuters #Biotechnology #BGIGroup #COVID19 #WuhanVirus #Military #60Minutes #PLA
Urged to invite Taiwan to participate World Health Assembly; US Secretary of State: Taiwan is a reliable partner
US Secretary of State Brinken announced statement, urged WHO director general invites Taiwan as an observer and participates the 74th WHA which hold on 24May. Representative of Taiwan to United States accepted interview from Voice of America and thanked Brinken for urging, believed that the statement highlights Taiwan as a good force in the world, “Taiwan citizens will remember this support in heart”.
Brinken issued a statement through the State Department on Friday, issues such as global public health security are not restriction by national boundaries and political disputes. Taiwan provided valuable contribution and experiences when dealing with COVID-19, WHO leaders and those responsible countries should be realised, if they continue to exclude Taiwan’s 24 million people from the World Health Assembly will only threaten rather than promote global health goals.
Source: Stand News #May08
https://bit.ly/3ffKcXY
#Taiwan #WHO #WHA #UnitedStates #Brinken #VoiceOfAmerica #COVID19 #WuhanVirus #GlobalHealth
US Secretary of State Brinken announced statement, urged WHO director general invites Taiwan as an observer and participates the 74th WHA which hold on 24May. Representative of Taiwan to United States accepted interview from Voice of America and thanked Brinken for urging, believed that the statement highlights Taiwan as a good force in the world, “Taiwan citizens will remember this support in heart”.
Brinken issued a statement through the State Department on Friday, issues such as global public health security are not restriction by national boundaries and political disputes. Taiwan provided valuable contribution and experiences when dealing with COVID-19, WHO leaders and those responsible countries should be realised, if they continue to exclude Taiwan’s 24 million people from the World Health Assembly will only threaten rather than promote global health goals.
Source: Stand News #May08
https://bit.ly/3ffKcXY
#Taiwan #WHO #WHA #UnitedStates #Brinken #VoiceOfAmerica #COVID19 #WuhanVirus #GlobalHealth
Taiwan is not invited to WHA and sternly protest, urges WHO to adhere to professional neutrality and “eliminate Chinese political interference”
WHA had a video meeting today (24May). Taiwan is not invited in five consecutive years, however the proposals from 13 diplomatic countries which about inviting Taiwan to participate will be the main focus of the meeting. It was predicted that the diplomatic countries will have “two versus two debating” with China, emphasized the necessity of Taiwan being part of the WHO. Department of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan announced a press release today and indicated, Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie and Minister of Health Chen Shizhong jointly expressed the government’s serious dissatisfaction in protest, urged the WHO adheres professional neutrality, eliminate Chinese political interference, and let Taiwan join the meetings, systems and activities of WHO based on protecting all human’s well-being and fighting epidemic together.
Chen indicated on press release, this year WHA is still focusing on epidemic situation to build a healthier, safer and fairer world. Taiwan’s epidemic is warming up recently, which showing the virus is regardless of borders, even Taiwan cannot stay out. There should be no gap in global epidemic prevention, it needs to share globally all the information and professionally cooperation to fight the epidemic. Chen emphasized, Taiwan has not been invited to participate WHA is not the loss of Taiwan, but also the loss of the whole world. Health is the basic human right and universal value, and WHO as a professional international medical organisation, they should serve the health and well-being of all mankind and should not succumb to the political interests of specific member.
Source: Apple Daily #May24
https://hk.appledaily.com/china/20210524/FIMWCR5K5RF2XC5OQI7O2EUUM4/
#WHA #WHO #China #Taiwan #Politics #Diplomatic #Intervention #HumanRight #Health #Pandemic #WuhanVirus #Globalisation
WHA had a video meeting today (24May). Taiwan is not invited in five consecutive years, however the proposals from 13 diplomatic countries which about inviting Taiwan to participate will be the main focus of the meeting. It was predicted that the diplomatic countries will have “two versus two debating” with China, emphasized the necessity of Taiwan being part of the WHO. Department of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan announced a press release today and indicated, Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie and Minister of Health Chen Shizhong jointly expressed the government’s serious dissatisfaction in protest, urged the WHO adheres professional neutrality, eliminate Chinese political interference, and let Taiwan join the meetings, systems and activities of WHO based on protecting all human’s well-being and fighting epidemic together.
Chen indicated on press release, this year WHA is still focusing on epidemic situation to build a healthier, safer and fairer world. Taiwan’s epidemic is warming up recently, which showing the virus is regardless of borders, even Taiwan cannot stay out. There should be no gap in global epidemic prevention, it needs to share globally all the information and professionally cooperation to fight the epidemic. Chen emphasized, Taiwan has not been invited to participate WHA is not the loss of Taiwan, but also the loss of the whole world. Health is the basic human right and universal value, and WHO as a professional international medical organisation, they should serve the health and well-being of all mankind and should not succumb to the political interests of specific member.
Source: Apple Daily #May24
https://hk.appledaily.com/china/20210524/FIMWCR5K5RF2XC5OQI7O2EUUM4/
#WHA #WHO #China #Taiwan #Politics #Diplomatic #Intervention #HumanRight #Health #Pandemic #WuhanVirus #Globalisation
There are no unanimous conclusions for US Epidemic Traceability Report, reprimand China for refusal to share information and block investigation
The Director of National Intelligence of the United States issued a report on the traceability of the Wuhan virus, showing that the intelligence agencies failed to reach a consensus on the source of virus. The report also stated, China interrupted the investigation and rejected to share information, which made the report could not be concluded. The Chinese Embassy in US responded that the report is unscientific, and US is trying to shirk its responsibility for fighting the epidemic by relying on report.
The report was published on 27August (Friday) and written by 18 intelligence organisations. Four of those organisations believed the virus is from the natural contact between human and infected animals, however this conclusion was only in “low credibility”. There is another intelligence organisation which has a “medium confidence” believed the virus is relevant to the laboratory. That is, concluding the virus “could be” the infected animals naturally infect the human beings and relevant to the laboratory. The report has also analysed the virus is not from biochemical weapon; Chinese officials are lack of foresight about virus will cause a “global pandemic”.
The report stated, the department cannot get the conclusion, or the conclusions only have low to medium confidence, which is because of the rejection of sharing important information from China has interrupted the investigation. In which, it cannot get the conclusion unless there are more new information. US President Biden emphasized, US will continue the suppression to China before they get the answer. He also indicated that the significant information is showing the start of pandemic is from China, “But from the beginning, the Chinese officials have already interrupted the international investigation and global public health organisation to gain the information”.
Source: Stand News #Aug28
https://bit.ly/3tvOLD1
#UnitedStates #WuhanVirus #COVID19 #China #Biden #Infection #GloablPandemic
The Director of National Intelligence of the United States issued a report on the traceability of the Wuhan virus, showing that the intelligence agencies failed to reach a consensus on the source of virus. The report also stated, China interrupted the investigation and rejected to share information, which made the report could not be concluded. The Chinese Embassy in US responded that the report is unscientific, and US is trying to shirk its responsibility for fighting the epidemic by relying on report.
The report was published on 27August (Friday) and written by 18 intelligence organisations. Four of those organisations believed the virus is from the natural contact between human and infected animals, however this conclusion was only in “low credibility”. There is another intelligence organisation which has a “medium confidence” believed the virus is relevant to the laboratory. That is, concluding the virus “could be” the infected animals naturally infect the human beings and relevant to the laboratory. The report has also analysed the virus is not from biochemical weapon; Chinese officials are lack of foresight about virus will cause a “global pandemic”.
The report stated, the department cannot get the conclusion, or the conclusions only have low to medium confidence, which is because of the rejection of sharing important information from China has interrupted the investigation. In which, it cannot get the conclusion unless there are more new information. US President Biden emphasized, US will continue the suppression to China before they get the answer. He also indicated that the significant information is showing the start of pandemic is from China, “But from the beginning, the Chinese officials have already interrupted the international investigation and global public health organisation to gain the information”.
Source: Stand News #Aug28
https://bit.ly/3tvOLD1
#UnitedStates #WuhanVirus #COVID19 #China #Biden #Infection #GloablPandemic