The Chinese Lab Theory

<p>Everyone wants to know where the coronavirus came from. In the absence of a clear explanation, several theories are circulating — including one, pushed by the Trump administration, that the pandemic started because of malpractice in a lab in Wuhan, China. But is that a secret the Chinese government is keeping, or a mystery no one knows the answer to? Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/julian-e-barnes?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">Julian E. Barnes</a>, who covers national security for The New York Times. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>Leaders in the intelligence community have said there is no indication the virus is man-made, but have <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/03/us/politics/coronavirus-pompeo-wuhan-china-lab.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">yet to reach a conclusion on its origins</a>. While many scientists say the virus most likely made the leap from an animal to a human in southern China, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Trump continue to link the outbreak to a government lab.</li><li>Some national security analysts are worried that pressure from senior Trump administration officials could<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/us/politics/trump-administration-intelligence-coronavirus-china.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank"> distort assessments about the origin of the coronavirus</a> and be used as a weapon in an escalating battle with China.</li></ul>