6. Was Corona Man-made?

 

6. Was Corona Man-made?

It was the day of hearing in the 'God's Court of Law.’ The crucial issue to be decided was ‘whether coronavirus was man-made?’ God had impartially issued summons to all parties concerned to put forth their arguments. The parties who were present included, ‘Rohini, her father Raju, her friend Dr. Kiran and advocate Madan Lal. Besides representatives from countries like China, France, Japan, Australia and the US were also present. God had also summoned Dr. Dwarakanath Kotnis (real person, not a fictitious character) as a special invitee to share his thoughts.’

God's chair, the seat of justice was empty. But ‘His’ presence was very much felt. His voice was very much heard. God's voice was distinct and it was impressive with features like freedom, fairness and openness. God himself started the proceedings!

'The entire world is reeling under the pandemic, which you people have named as Covid-19. All viruses, bacteria, animals including human beings are the creations of nature. Behind the creation of each of these bodies from time to time, there is the noble purpose of maintaining the balance and the continuity of nature and the world. The earth is not the center of the universe, and man is not its purpose. In the process of evolution, human beings might have acquired highest intelligence. It may only be a matter of coincidence! But I don't regulate man’s thoughts and actions. Nor, I direct which way the world should move! They are none of my concerns. Each human being and all other living and non-living beings, themselves are responsible for their thoughts and actions. It is for humans and other inmates of the earth to decide and shape the type of world they want to live. Of course, man or any other inmate on the earth, have very little or no control over nature. Peace of the world gets disturbed from time to time, by various acts of nature and the actions of countless number of living beings and non-living beings of the mother earth. Still, I don't intervene, as the process of maintenance of nature's balance will be always at work, which is good enough to take care of things. Therefore today's session is irrelevant from my point of view. This session is called only at your instance! All those who have assembled here are free to express their views on the subject. I declare this session open.’

Rohini who was on her toes and she stood up to make her presentation. 'My Lord, thanks for giving me this opportunity to speak. You know everything. The pandemic Covid-19 has affected the entire world. Particularly my country India, is the worst sufferer. Our country is the home for about one-fifth of mankind and obviously we are facing huge challenges. Still, with your blessings, we were progressing well especially during last two-three decades. But the outbreak of this pandemic, has pushed our country into an unprecedented crisis. Today that is on 10th of June 2020, we have recorded the fifth highest tally in the entire world with more than 2.5 lakh positive cases. Even among these worst five countries, our position is alarming as number infections are growing at a rate of 4% along with Brazil, as compared to the growth rate of the remaining three countries, whose growth rates have dipped down to 2% or less. Being a huge country we are facing fierce challenges in the process of conducting tests which is very low at 3.4 per 1000 people, as compared to 87.2 of Russia, 61.6 of US and 47.9 of UK. Our Covid-19's death toll is more than 7000. The actual figures of our positives and fatalities may turn out to be much more, if we are able to conduct tests as per the required rate. Predictions for the next two months period is really frightening. Our medical infrastructure is by far insufficient, in order to cope up with this massive spread. Our corona warriors are under tremendous pressure.

About 140 million migrant workers have lost their jobs and are without income. We were forced to lockdown the entire country for nearly two and half months in order to contain the spread of the virus. As a result, our economy has crumbled, erasing most of the gains which we had achieved during last 2-3 decades.

I squarely blame China for this corona disaster. In fact, the virus originated from that country. It is even alleged that the coronavirus was man-made. China wasted valuable time of the entire world by delaying the disclosure of vital facts about the spread of this deadly virus. Along with my country India, the entire world is suffering from the virus, just because of the tricks played by one country. I appeal to you my Lord for justice and punishment to China.’ Rohini pleaded with a choked voice.

Chinese representative knew very well, about the charges that may be made against his country. He had come well prepared for putting forth his arguments. He stood up and wished everybody and started presenting. 'My Lord, thank you for inviting us to this greatest court of justice. Much is being spoken against my country since the outbreak of this pandemic. All allegations are baseless. We have wasted no time in sharing the genetic map of the new virus with the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the entire world. We have been updating WHO since time to time. The information on the genetic map of the Covid-19 virus has given the quickest possible kick-start to the process of developing tests, vaccines and drugs all across the world. In fact, there were many unknowns in the early stage of the outbreak and it took time to gather evidence and figure out the characteristics of the new virus. We have helped the entire world by performing the needed research work in the quickest possible time.'

At this stage, it was becoming impossible for Raju to stay quiet. He stood up and bowed down to God and started. 'My Lord, my humble prayers to you. Throughout history, China has always acted dishonestly and argues with a bundle of lies. In fact, coronavirus is not only made in China, but also it is its new-found biological weapon. Over-ambitious China wanted to put behind all other countries, especially the USA and India. Therefore it has unleashed its new-found bio-weapon on its own people at Wuhan. The spread of the virus was kept a secret for long and the movement of people from Wuhan to all other parts of the world, was allowed to continue unabated for more than three months. This was a deliberate act to spread the virus to the entire world while guarding its own territory with all the needed precautions. As a result, now the entire world is reeling under the effects of the disease with the threat of the ever-growing numbers of positives and fatalities. China is doing the drama of containing the virus and has virtually closed its show with a few thousand deaths. “Virtually this was the third world war unleashed by China.” They have already won the war without even firing a bullet. All other countries of the world, have moved back at least by a decade, on the track of their progress whereas China is continuing its march unabated. China deserves to be punished for their crime against humanity!’ Raju sat down as if a thunderstorm had just stopped.

Now it was the turn of a European scientist, who was dressed in full suit, to speak. 'My Lord, I plead that my submissions are honest. I myself, was involved in a team that has discovered the structure of the HIV virus (which is affecting the world since early 1980s), which in turn has led to the synthesis of vaccine and remedial drugs for AIDS (caused by HIV virus) disease. In Wuhan, China, I know that for decades they are doing research for finding a more effective vaccine for HIV virus. For quickening the process of their research, they were liberally using the SARS virus (which affected the world during 2002-04) too. As an unwanted byproduct of this whole process, the Covid-19 virus was born. As a supporting evidence, one can observe that the structures of HIV and SARS viruses too, in the genetic map of the Covid-19 virus. Probably even the Chinese scientists didn't know about the devastating potential of this novel virus. In an act of negligence, the novel virus has spilled over and infected human beings. Although the spread of the new virus was known to China, they have kept quiet, as they felt that it may affect their business and progress. And the disastrous consequences are seen all over the world.’

Chinese defenders were ready with the stick to beat the arguments of the European scientist. In fact, it was a 'European stick' itself. 'My Lord the claim of our friend, the scientist from Europe is totally baseless. Virologists from his own country are ridiculing his findings, saying that the mere presence of the SARS and HIV virus structures in the Covid-19 virus’ genetic code,’ does not imply anything. In fact, these viruses may be from the same family and hence the commonality. No more inferences can be drawn.’

In the meanwhile US team leader was feeling restless. He made his way to speak out like a tornado! He started ‘my Lord, my country US, is the most affected country in the world, in all aspects. China is in war with the world. Deliberately it’s creating trouble to almost all countries around its border. It’s bulldozing tactics to trample the fight for democracy in Hong Kong, is a barbaric act. In fact, it is in war with itself, silencing and killing its own people who want to speak truth. China can go to any extent in establishing its supremacy in the world.

China knows very well that the period of last four decades can be called as the era of epidemics. During these four decades, the world has witnessed viral diseases starting from AIDS (started during early 80’s) to bird-flu, Swine-flu, SARS, MERS (which affected parts of world during 2012) and Ebola. Wuhan Institute of Virology had discovered Covid-19 virus, during 2013 itself and their scientists had claimed that it may affect human beings. They have intentionally used the Covid-19 virus, through their own people to infect the whole world. To cover up this dirty act, a few of their scientists have even cooked up the drama of an accidental spill over from their lab!

It was during the last day of the previous year, that was on 31st Dec 2019, China claimed that they have informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the Covid-19 virus. On the very next day, that was on 1st Jan 2020, about 2 lakh people were allowed to travel to other parts of China and abroad from Wuhan. By this time, China had silenced all its own whistleblowers, who had raised alarms! China acknowledged its first Covid-19 patient’s death on 9th of January. But around those days, about 75,000 people including about 1000 infected patients, were allowed to travel abroad from Wuhan.

Even around 10th January 2020, China kept on misguiding the world that the Covid-19 virus, won’t spread from humans to humans. The spineless World Health Organization (WHO), too kept on repeating its “master’s voice”, saying that at this stage “there is no infection among health workers. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission.” Further WHO issued sermons, saying that “no country shall put a travel or trade restriction on China!”

From all these acts, it is very clear that China has deliberately infected the entire world with Covid-19 virus, while it had secretly planned its own safety. Therefore I appeal to the Almighty to punish China with the harshest of punishments.’

The Chinese team was looking almost unmoved by the fierce arguments put forth by the US team. Chinese team leader stood up and started speaking. ‘In fact, it is not China, US is the worst warmongering nation in the world. Since the end of the second world war, they are continuously in war with almost all countries of the world.

USA, being a world leader, is not honest in helping the world during the period of this pandemic. They have gone to the extent of hijacking ships, carrying Covi-19 relief materials meant for its own allies. Trump’s effort to pressurize a German firm, working on Covid-19 vaccine to shift its base to US is a shameful act. US arm-twisting India to get the malaria drug, the HCQ was also an act of atrocity. They don’t have any right to point fingers at others.

In US, during 2016 itself, its Harvard team had isolated a virus which is very similar to Covid-19 virus. There is every chance that US itself might have spread the infection to the entire world including China.

On 20th Jan 2020, we have announced total lockdown of Wuhan city. During 31st Jan, Trump administration had announced closing its border to all non-Americans, who had recently travelled to China. Yet during first three months of this year, nearly 4,30,000 people have travelled from China to US by direct flights. This includes 40,000 people who travelled in 2 months after President Trump, had imposed travel bans. During this period, thousands of people have also travelled from Europe to US carrying the infection. Around 25th Feb, 2020, number of positive cases in rest of the world was more than that of China. Even then in New Orleans, USA, tens of thousands of people crammed streets to celebrate “Mardi Gras festival,” which triggered Covid-19 spread like wild fire. Can they blame China for all these acts of gross negligence?

There is no scientific evidence to prove that Covid-19 virus was man-made. Therefore, I pray to you my Lord to reject the arguments put forth by our US friends,’ concluded the Chinese team leader.

Rohini was continuously staring at her friend young Dr. Kiran as if it was his turn to put forth his points. As if to please Rohini, Dr. Kiran stood up and said, 'my Lord, in our country we believe that “thenavina thrunamapinachalathi,” meaning that nothing moves in the world without “Your” green signal. I strongly believe that the Covid-19 virus is nature-made and for what purpose? We don't know. The deadly virus, which first caused the disease to people in Wuhan, China, during December 2019, was thought to have come to humans from animals like other pathogens, which are the germs that cause the disease. Finding the source of this Covid-19 virus, will help us in understanding this virus family in detail. The knowledge of this virus family will be certainly helpful to us in future, in preventing its spread.

Even assuming that there were lapses on China's part, in alerting the world about the novel virus, we Indians as matured citizens should be able to make a distinction between the “people of China and the Chinese government.” People to people relationship should not be spoiled, because of differences between governments. Many Chinese whistleblowers, even risking their lives have cautioned the Chinese government and the world about the deadly virus. I would like to remind that charity organizations like “Jack Ma and Alibaba foundations of China” have sent us huge stock of protective gears, masks, respirators and ventilators, after the outbreak of the pandemic. Nearly 70% of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) needed for Indian pharma industry, as raw material come from China. Our pharma industry is progressing well, only because of the support from China. We should not spoil such valuable relationship by making false allegations. I strongly endorse the views of my Chinese friends who have argued that Covid-19 virus is not man-made and there is no need to doubt their bonafides.’ When Dr. Kiran concluded his presentation, Rohini was seen nodding in appreciation.

Rohini was ready with one more line of argument, which she felt was undefendable. 'My Lord, I would like to quote from the report of an Asian scientist. He claims that he knows how Chinese labs work and with what motive. He knows about the methods and tricks used by Chinese scientists in manufacturing biological weapons. Novel coronavirus has not originated from bats. The virus is really man-made, with the intention of using it as a bioweapon. If it were to be natural, it should have spread, only in climatic conditions which are similar to Hubei province of China, where Wuhan is situated. But the virus is spreading across all over the world, irrespective of climatic conditions. This goes to show that the coronavirus is not natural, but it is certainly manmade.’

Rohini had the shock of her life when the very Asian scientist, whose name she referred was very much present in the God's court. He stood up and refuted the arguments attributed to him in social media all over the world. He even apologized for hurting the reputation of China and its scientists by spread of the damaging report alleged to have originated from him.

A lone Chinese citizen, who was sitting much away from the Chinese team, caught the attention of the entire Court when he stood up for speaking. 'My God, I am a dead person. I am a doctor from China. Towards the end of the year 2019, I came across a patient who was suffering from a respiratory disease, which was similar to an epidemic which was witnessed more than a decade ago. I alerted my fellow doctors, to know more about such cases and remain careful about its possible spread. Somehow the message went viral, which came to the notice of the police authorities. Police investigated the issues involved and made me to sign a letter of apology saying that I had done acts which have disturbed the social order. People of China reacted wildly to the type of harassment meted out to me. Although the task I did was that of a whistleblower, I was dubbed by police as a rumour monger. Probably the authorities had thought, that the news of the new disease going viral may affect the business and trade interests of China!

Later on, the disease that I had come across in one of my patients, was identified as the Covid-19! After a few days, unfortunately I myself was caught up with the virus. I was declared Covid positive, quarantined and my treatment was started. Within a few days of sufferings, I was dead too. In fact my death gave a wider publicity and awareness to the world about  Covid-19, than the whistleblowing act of my lifetime. I am not sorry for my death. It has happened as per God's will. I pray God to save my country China and also the entire world from the disastrous effects of this pandemic.’

God's Court was in for another surprise, when a lesser-known man stood up. ‘My name is Dr. Dwarakanath S Kotnis. I belong to the state of Maharashtra in India. I was sent to China during 1938, as a part of the medical team, when Japan had attacked China. I was in charge of treating injured soldiers. I loved my job and the Chinese people. Chinese people too loved my work. I fell in love with a Chinese lady and married her too, there itself. Unfortunately, I fell ill and died during 1942 when my age was just 32. “Our army has lost a helping hand, the nation a friend. Let us always bear in mind his international spirit,” was the tribute I received from the Chinese top leader of those days. A memorial in my honour is erected at Hebei province of China. I am a revered hero in China even today. A stamp was released too in my honour and in an internet poll held during 2009, I was chosen as one among “top 10 foreign friends” of China in a century. My story goes to prove that China is a country with great history, civilization and culture. As a mark of respect to my services top Chinese leaders who have visited India, have visited my family members on a few occasions. I am glad that they are using my legacy to strengthen Sino-Indian relations.

In India too I am respected well. A film by name “Dr. Kotnis ki Amar Kahani” was made in Hindi and English during the year 1946. Veteran actor V. Shantaram, who played my role also had directed the film.

It's painful to me to note that a Chinese doctor, who was a whistleblower alerting the world about the deadly virus, was punished and dubbed as a rumour monger. It may be an act of a hasty mistake. In fact I have come to know that later on China has exonerated the doctor, who spoke here just before me and the authorities have also apologized to the brave doctor's family.

After having such a wonderful experience with the great country China, I still believe that the Covid-19 virus is not man made and knowingly China has not done anything to aggravate its spread.’ There was a thunderous applause from the Chinese team when Dr. Dwarakanath ended his presentation.

Raju's gesture was towards his Lawyer friend Madan. Raju believed that being an intelligent and experienced advocate Madan will be able to come out with strong arguments implicating China.

'My Lord, please accept my humble namaskarams (salutes). Just now in your honourable court I have seen one more God. Yes, our own Dr. Dwarakanath Kotnis, is no less than a God. His selfless services to humanity are really commendable. But China only does the drama of remembering Dr. Kotnis. Its actions against the interests of India, clearly demonstrates that they are the most unreliable and thankless.

Let us recall a few lessons from our basic Geography. Let me give you the distances of different destinations from Wuhan, China from where the deadly virus originated.

Wuhan to Shanghai - 840 kms

Wuhan to Beijing - 1200 kms

Wuhan to Milan, Italy - 15,000 kms

Wuhan to New York, USA - 15,000 kms

Wuhan to Delhi, India - 3500 kms

Wuhan to Iran - 6000 kms

But the deadly virus has not affected Shanghai and Beijing at all. But the number of infections and death tolls are the highest in Europe, USA and India. But China is blaming USA and others for spreading the disease! Actions and counter accusations by China remind me of a popular Hindi proverb which says “Ulta Chor Kotwal Ko Dante,” meaning “after committing all crimes, China is trying to blame others!” It may be embarrassing for them, but still China has to answer certain questions.

1) When the entire world is affected, why the virus spread has not affected entire China? Why is its spread just confined to a small province around Wuhan?

2) Why China wasted valuable time before informing the rest of the world about the corona crisis?

3) Why the whistleblowers in China were harshly dealt with and silenced?

4) Why till the middle of January 2020, international travelers from and to Wuhan were freely allowed to travel by air towards all parts of the world, even after officially disclosing about the outbreak of the deadly virus?

5) Why the World Health Organization (WHO) is soft on China, in covering up its covert operations?’

Raju thumped his fist in the air acknowledging the forceful arguments put forth by Madan.

Chinese defenders struck to their strong points. 'The novel coronavirus which has caused Covid-19 is a clear case of transmission from animal to human beings. The virus discovered in horseshoe bats, very much resembles the genetic structure of the Covid-19 virus. But it needed an intermediate animal to reach the human beings. The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) during 2003 is believed to have been originated from bats. They reached human beings through the civet cats. The SARS is the first variety of coronavirus that has caused severe disease to humans. Another type of coronavirus namely Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which was witnessed during 2012, probably reached human beings through camels. Recent researches have once again confirmed that the novel coronavirus causing Covid-19 has originated from bats and has reached human beings through the ant eating pangolins. In fact the coronavirus discovered in pangolins, closely resembles the Covid-19 virus, which is the latest variant.

Current outbreak of Covid-19 might have originated from live animal markets in Wuhan, from where about a dozen employees were infected first. Immediately after the outbreak, China has acted fast in discovering the genome or genetic structure of the novel coronavirus. It has lost no time sharing the structure with World Health Organization (WHO) and other countries of the world. Therefore it is very clear that the novel coronavirus is not man made, but a natural phenomenon.’

'In light of the crucial questions raised by lawyer Madan, China's defense looks pale. But if China had acted promptly, the Covid-19 outbreak could have been confined to the Hubei province of China. China chose to protect its business interests first. Therefore they kept quiet for weeks together before informing WHO and the rest of the world. When the topic of this costly lapse had come for a discussion in the UN security Council meeting during March 2020, China being its President, had blocked the discussions. China did so in order to cover up its guilt. World Health Organization (WHO) too has conspired with China and let down the interests of the rest of the world,’ argued Rohini.

Raju once again substantiated his daughter's arguments. 'As late as middle of April 2020, China has raised its Wuhan death toll by about 50%. This has also caused doubts about the opacity of China in the issues related to the current crisis. Australia too has raised its doubts, about the sincerity of China in its latest corona policy. In fact about 62 countries have demanded that the matter needs a thorough probe. Let us hope that WHO mends its ways and conducts an honest probe.

In the meanwhile, China trying to sharpen its axe by causing military disturbances in Ladakh province of India is unfortunate. Probably China is resorting to such wild tactics in order to hide its corona misdeeds. China should have had the sense of guilt that its mistakes have caused heavily to the rest of the world, especially to India which is among the worst sufferers. China is causing trouble to our country, India which houses about one-fifth of population of the world. Is it their respect towards mankind?’ questioned Raju.

The head of the Chinese team stood up as if to conclude the arguments. 'My Lord, this debate has stretched for too long. But all allegations against us are baseless. Please look at the false allegations attributed to the Asian scientist. This report has gone viral all round the world creating a wrong opinion on our conduct. We are thankful to the Asian scientist who has come here to disown the reports under circulation, alleged to have been linked to his name.

It is scientifically proved beyond doubt that the Covid-19 virus is not man made. In fact the virus found from the swab extracts of the infected patients, closely resemble the samples extracted from ant eating pangolins, which are believed to be the intermediary carriers of the deadly virus. This clearly proves this deadly virus is only a natural occurrence.

The nature has designed the Covid-19 virus, far better than humans could even imagine. In fact the ability of the novel coronavirus to bind and penetrate the host cells in human beings has baffled scientists all over the world. There is no wonder, if deadlier variants of the coronavirus are found in nature in the days to come.

Although the world accuses that the novel coronavirus originated from China, it may be noted that China was the first country to contain it. China now has become a role model for the entire world in containing the spread of the virus. Also our scientists are burning the midnight oil in finding vaccines and medicines for combating the disease. We will waste no time in sharing our knowledge and material with the entire world once the research efforts of our scientists bear fruit. China has a big role to play for the world in containing and eradicating Covid-19.

Therefore I appeal to you my Lord, that Covid-19 virus, is not man made. Although the disease has originated from our country, we have played all our steps correctly and in time. There are no lapses on our part in fulfilling our international obligations in keeping the world informed in time.’

After the Chinese team head concluded his arguments, there was stunning silence all over. In fact there was a pregnant pause. All eyes were at the God's chair of justice. A loud sound of the 'gavel', the hammer of justice hitting the circular sound block erupted, waking up Rohini from the sleep! Rohini could recall the entire dream. She regretted that it didn't last till the delivery of judgment by the God was made. She remembered the words of the great Russian author Leo Tolstoy, that perhaps 'God sees the truth, but waits.’

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