[Huffers2]

If true, I think this would be the first ever case of a novel virus ever being developed in a lab and then accidentally released.

If false, then it's yet another viral mutation / species cross over which have happened all the time throughout history.

When I hear hoofbeats I think "horses" not "zebras"...

[georgeglue1]

It's obviously super hazy, but it's worth clarifying that being developed in the lab != originating from the lab.

From what I've heard on Chinese social media, there are a bunch of plausible sounding theories.

For a lot of jobs in China, it's expected that there's moderate incompetence or grift.

For example, say the lab has a bunch of extra animal samples (mice, bats, w/e). Someone in the cleaning staff could make a few extra $ by selling those samples to a wholesaler at the local wetmarket (to be turned into dogfood, etc.); maybe they only meant to sell the clean samples, but got things mixed up.

[whiddershins]

If I’m walking down the street and get surprised with a punch in the face I assume it was intentional, even if there are many scenarios in which it could be accidental.

[alacombe]

Accidental or intentional is irrelevant.

[wccrawford]

Why not? There are multiple hurricanes every single year, but I still hear about them. Especially the ones that might affect my area.

But it might be more like: "Yet another hurricane cause by weather." Not really a story, since they all have been. The opposite, though, that'd be a real story: "Hurricane not caused by weather!"

[Huffers2]

Sorry, I edited my comment at the same time you posted your comment - leading to yours to not have the proper context.

(For the record I wrote something about things that happen frequently not being news)

[wccrawford]

No worries!