by mk

Genomic analyses of the new coronavirus have revealed that its spike protein differs from those of close relatives, and suggest that the protein has a site on it which is activated by a host-cell enzyme called furin.

Someday I hope to see an objective analysis of covid-19, and get some confidence around whether this was naturally-occurring or a mistake. Labs do work on these viruses and stupid things do happen in high-risk institutional environments. At this point in time, it doesn't matter, and won't make things better. But even if the chance that this was due to a mistake is small, if it was a mistake, then things can and need to be changed.