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Notes -
Maybe it is just different cultural stigmas.
To me, saying that some people or culture eat unclean or diseased food is a big insult. Its a mix of implying they are closer to animals/scavengers, implying they are too stupid to properly clean/prepare their food, and weird in a negative way that they choose to eat gross things.
If some disease started in the US because a minority had unique food preferences. I can't imagine a scenario where people are not called racist for suggesting that 'hey, maybe this minority shouldn't eat weird foods that cause disease'.
Meanwhile the location of a lab doesn't seem to matter a whole lot to me. If it happened in the US would we blame the state where the lab-leak happened? If the research was technically allowed anywhere in the US, I don't think we would. However, if the State specifically allowed shadier research practices then other states, I think we would rightfully blame that state. Like when an oil spill happens in a state that is very pro-oil drilling, there is a bit of a sense that "hey you caused this shit".
Overall I understand why the Chinese government would be happy to promote a Zoonotic origin story. I just don't get why the US government would care to go along with that story. (which is a point in favor of the Zoonotic origin story)
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