Show an ad over header. AMP

I am the FIRST!!!

HHS chief Xavier Becerra calls for "transparent" follow-up investigation into COVID origins

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told a virtual World Health Assembly meeting Tuesday there needs to be a "transparent, science-based" follow-up investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why it matters: The original investigation by a team of scientists assembled by the World Health Organization and China's government returned inconclusive findings and was criticized by top officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken.


  • Blinken told CNN in March that the Biden administration has "real concerns about the methodology and the process that went into that report, including the fact that the government in Beijing apparently helped to write it."

What they're saying: "Phase 2 of the COVID origins study must be launched with terms of reference that are transparent, science-based, and give international experts the independence to fully assess the source of the virus and the early days of the outbreak," Becerra said at the virtual meeting.

  • NIAID director Anthony Fauci said at a White House briefing Tuesday he believed the coronavirus originated from a "natural occurrence," but further investigation was needed.

Of note: Becerra also addressed the Chinese government's opposition to the WHO granting recognition to Taiwan.

  • "Global collaboration will be key in tackling the many challenges still before us. Collaboration with non-state actors must continue, and we must invite Taiwan to be a part of the World Health Assembly as an observer," Becerra said.

Flashback: The report identified the four possible origins of the virus:

  • Direct zoonotic spillover, which was deemed "possible to likely;"
  • Introduction through an intermediate host, regarded as 'likely to very likely;
  • Introduction through cold/ food chain products, which was considered to be "possible" and;
  • "Introduction through a laboratory incident" — which the WHO team said was "extremely unlikely.

The other side: Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said following criticism of the released report, "The U.S. has been speaking out on the report. By doing this, isn’t the U.S. trying to exert political pressure on the members of the WHO expert group?"

regular 4 post ff

infinite scroll 4 pff

Immigration's role in America's labor shortage

America's labor shortage crisis has been exacerbated by immigration restrictions that have reduced the number of both skilled and unskilled workers.

Between the lines: Most of the labor scarcity blame has been aimed at expanded unemployment benefits, hard-to-find child care and low wages. But there is a fourth leg to the stool.

Keep reading...Show less

AOC urges U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to end Sha'Carri Richardson's suspension

Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) sent a letter to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency encouraging the group to rethink sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson's one-month suspension for recreational marijuana use.

What they're saying: "We urge you to reconsider the policies that led to this and other suspensions for recreational marijuana use, and to reconsider Ms. Richardson’s suspension. Please strike a blow for civil liberties and civil rights by reversing this course you are on," Ocasio-Cortez and Raskin said.

Keep reading...Show less

The high stakes of Branson and Bezos' race to space

When Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson take flight aboard the rockets their companies built, the hopes and dreams of a burgeoning industry will be flying with them as well.

Why it matters: Accidents or errors on these high-profile flights from Virgin Galactic or Blue Origin could derail their plans — and possibly affect others' plans — for commercial space tourism and travel.

Keep reading...Show less

Insights

mail-copy

Get Goodhumans in your inbox

Most Read

More Stories
<!ENTITY lol2 “&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;“> <!ENTITY lol3 “&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;“> <!ENTITY lol4 “&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;“> ]> &lol4;