[disgruntled101]

It seems that the common trend of explaining why China covered up the information and didn't let external third parties investigate is due to possible backlash. My simple question is, why fear backlash if it wasn't a leak either due to incompetence and malice? If bats from outside the lab truly started it, why not let observers see this? Why hide it?

[rossdavidh]

It is not impossible that the authorities in China don't actually know what happened, but are afraid that it could have been a lab accident. Thus, they cover up from observers just in case, even though it might not actually have been the source. But, I share your concern.