[initplus]

Daszak acted unethically regardless of the actual truth of the lab leak hypothesis.

His actions were a self serving attempt to muddy the waters on investigation of the virus origin, and may have prevented conclusive proof one way or the other from ever emerging. I doubt Daszak himself knows for sure. But if there is a risk that you are responsible, why not try cover it up anyway. Just in case?

Same reasoning goes for the Chinese government.