Cooke’s Tongue-in-Cheek Takedown of the COVID-19 Origin Story Debate | Eastern NC Now

One needs a sense of humor and an appreciation of sarcasm to get the point of Charles Cooke’s latest contribution to National Review Online.

ENCNow
Publisher's Note: This post appears here courtesy of the John Locke Foundation. The author of this post is Mitch Kokai.

    One needs a sense of humor and an appreciation of sarcasm to get the point of Charles Cooke's latest contribution to National Review Online.

  • It is truly disappointing that, even at this late stage in the pandemic, some Americans remain so addicted to racism and xenophobia that they are willing to countenance the theory that COVID-19 was mistakenly leaked from a Chinese research laboratory. To these people, I say this: We see you; we know what you are doing; and it won't stand.
  • Occam's Razor dictates that there can only be one reason why people who believe that COVID-19 originated in a lab in China keep saying aloud that they believe that COVID-19 originated in a lab in China, and that is to drive anti-Asian hatred on the streets of large cities in the United States. In truth, the "lab-leak theory" - as it is now euphemistically called - is just the latest iteration of an old and ugly stereotype that has haunted America for decades. I remember all too well how the bullies in my kindergarten class used to taunt the AAPI kids. "Hey you," they would say, "I'll bet you work on gain-of-function research in an institute of virology and are reckless with your gloves!" ...
  • ... If we are to build a more inclusive world, free of the stereotypes that divide us, it will be important for us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that COVID-19 was not unleashed by something as intrinsically Sinocentric as a scientific accident involving poor protective-clothing management, but as the result of a more culturally neutral tradition such as the human consumption of wet-market bats. Only once that has been established beyond rejoinder will we be able to start the hard work of defeating prejudice and acknowledging who was really to blame for this devastating pandemic all along: America.

Go Back


Leave a Guest Comment

Your Name or Alias
Your Email Address ( your email address will not be published )
Enter Your Comment ( text only please )




Biden Administration Policies Attack Suburbs John Locke Foundation Guest Editorial, Editorials, Op-Ed & Politics Vice President’s Unpopularity Could Help Sink Federal Election Overhaul


HbAD0

Latest Op-Ed & Politics

The teachers union is pushing to cancel school on May 1 as Chicago public schools continue to report dismal student proficiency rates.
With a new roadside plaque unveiled in Ellerbe on April 23, legendary wrestler and local resident André René Roussimoff is finally getting the formal recognition fans believe he deserves.

HbAD1

Beaufort County residents deserve lower taxes and should demand them from government.
Cheryl Hines. Dennis Quaid. Nicki Minaj. All became associated with the Trump administration. What happened next?
"Pay no attention to the folks behind the curtain" was their preference but things are beginning to come to light.

HbAD2

Understanding how parties work is important for making informed decisions regarding elected officials.
Two years ago, new media brought President Trump back to the White House. What happened?
Victims’ advocates, prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and families impacted by violent crime gathered Tuesday at the North Carolina State Archives building in Raleigh to recognize National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and honor those affected by crime across North Carolina.
The POLITICO poll found that almost half of respondents think Hollywood players should "be less vocal with their political beliefs."

HbAD3

 
 
Back to Top