SARS-Cov-2 Is an Robot Bioweapon

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

SARS-Cov-2 Is an Robot Bioweapon Global Journal of Computer Science and Technology: G Interdisciplinary Volume 21 Issue 2 Version 1.0 Year 2021 Type: Double Blind Peer Reviewed International Research Journal Publisher: Global Journals Online ISSN: 0975-4172 & Print ISSN: 0975-4350 SARS-CoV-2 is an Robot Bioweapon By Li-Meng Yan & Adrian David Cheok Professional University of Information and Management for Innovation (iUniversity) Abstract- Two possibilities should be considered for the origin of SARS-CoV-2: natural evolution or laboratory creation. In our earlier paper titled "Unusual Features of the SARS-CoV-2 Genome Suggesting Sophisticated Laboratory Modification as a Biological Robot Rather than Natural Evolution and Delineation of its Probable Synthetic Route", we disproved the possibility of SARS- CoV-2 arising naturally through evolution and instead proved that SARS-CoV-2 must have been a product of laboratory modification. Despite this and similar efforts, the laboratory creation theory continues to be downplayed or even diminished. This is fundamentally because the natural origin theory remains supported by several novel coronaviruses published after the start of the outbreak. These viruses (the RaTG13 bat coronavirus, a series of pangolin coronaviruses, and the RmYN02 bat coronavirus) reportedly share high sequence homology with SARS-CoV-2 and have altogether constructed a seemingly plausible pathway for the natural evolution of SARS- CoV-2. Here, however, we use in-depth analyses of the available data and literature to prove that these novel animal coronaviruses do not exist in nature and their sequences have been fabricated. In addition, we also offer our insights on the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 may have originated naturally from a coronavirus that infected the Mojiang miners. GJCST-G Classification: J.3 SARSCoV2IsanRobotBioweapon Strictly as per the compliance and regulations of: © 2021. Li-Meng Yan & Adrian David Cheok. This is a research/review paper, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/), permitting all non- commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. SARS-CoV-2 is an Robot Bioweapon Li-Meng Yan α & Adrian David Cheok σ Abstract- Two possibilities should be considered for the origin I. Introduction of SARS-CoV-2: natural evolution or laboratory creation. In our earlier paper titled "Unusual Features of the SARS-CoV-2 ARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus and the Genome Suggesting Sophisticated Laboratory Modification as causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. a Biological Robot Rather than Natural Evolution and Despite its tremendous impact, the origin of S Delineation of its Probable Synthetic Route", we disproved the SARS-CoV-2, however, has been a topic of great possibility of SARS-CoV-2 arising naturally through evolution controversy. In our first paper titled "Unusual Features of 2021 and instead proved that SARS-CoV-2 must have been a product of laboratory modification. Despite this and similar the SARS-CoV-2 Genome Suggesting Sophisticated efforts, the laboratory creation theory continues to be Laboratory Modification as a Biological Robot Rather than Year downplayed or even diminished. This is fundamentally Natural Evolution and Delineation of its Probable 69 because the natural origin theory remains supported by Synthetic Route"1, we used biological evidence and in- several novel coronaviruses published after the start of the depth analyses to show that SARS-CoV-2 must be a outbreak. These viruses (the RaTG13 bat coronavirus, a series laboratory product, which was created by using a of pangolin coronaviruses, and the RmYN02 bat coronavirus) template virus (ZC45/ZXC21) owned by military research reportedly share high sequence homology with SARS-CoV-2 laboratories under the control of the Chinese and have altogether constructed a seemingly plausible Communist Party (CCP) government. In addition, pathway for the natural evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Here, however, we use in-depth analyses of the available data and resources and expertise are all in place in the Wuhan literature to prove that these novel animal coronaviruses do Institute of Virology (WIV) and related, other CCP- not exist in nature and their sequences have been fabricated. controlled institutions allowing the creation of SARS - In addition, we also offer our insights on the hypothesis that CoV-2 in approximately six months. SARS-CoV-2 may have originated naturally from a coronavirus What have not been fully described in our earlier that infected the Mojiang miners. analyses are details of the novel animal coronaviruses Revelation of these virus fabrications renders the published by the CCP-controlled laboratories after the natural origin theory unfounded. It also strengthens our earlier 1 G outbreak . While no coronaviruses reported prior to 2020 () assertion that SARS-CoV-2 is a product of laboratory share more than 90% sequence identity with SARS-CoV- modification, which can be created in approximately six 22,3, these recently published, novel animal months using a template virus owned by a laboratory of the 4 People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The fact that data fabrications coronaviruses (the RaTG13 bat coronavirus , a series of 5-8 were used to cover up the true origin of SARS-CoV-2 further pangolin coronaviruses , and the RmYN02 bat implicates that the laboratory modification here is beyond coronavirus9) all share over 90% sequence identities simple gain-of-function research. with SARS-CoV-2. As a result, these SARS-CoV-2-like The scale and the coordinated nature of this scientific viruses have filled an evolutionary gap and served as the fraud signifies the degree of corruption in the fields of founding evidence for the theory that SARS-CoV-2 has a academic research and public health. As a result of such natural origin10-12. In this report, we provide genetic and corruption, damages have been made both to the reputation other analyses, which, when combined with recent of the scientific community and to the well-being of the global 13-21 community. findings , prove that these novel animal coronaviruses Importantly, while SARS-CoV-2 meets the criteria of a do not exist in nature and their genomic sequences are bioweapon specified by the PLA, its impact is well beyond results of fabrication. what is conceived for a typical bioweapon. In addition, records a) Evidence proving that the RaTG13 virus is fraudulent indicate that the unleashing of this weaponized pathogen and does not exist in nature should have been intentional rather than accidental. We rd therefore define SARS-CoV-2 as an Unrestricted Bioweapon On February 3 , 2020, Dr. Zhengli Shi and and the current pandemic a result of Unrestricted Biowarfare. colleagues published an article in Nature titled “A We further suggest that investigations should be carried out on pneumonia outbreak associated with a new coronavirus Global Journal of Computer Science and Technology Volume XXI Issue II Version I the suspected government and individuals and the of probable bat origin” (manuscript submitted on responsible ones be held accountable for this brutal attack on January 20th)4, which was one of the first publications to the global community. identify SARS-CoV-2 as the pathogen causing the disease now widely known as COVID-19. Also reported in this article was a novel bat coronavirus named Author α: Rule of Law Society & Rule of Law Foundation, New York, NY, USA. e-mail: [email protected] RaTG13, the genomic sequence of which was shown to Author σ: Professional University of Information and Management for be 96.2% identical to that of SARS-CoV2. The close Innovation (iUniversity), Tokyo, Japan. e-mail: [email protected] evolutionary relationship between RaTG13 and SARS- ©2021 Global Journals SARS-CoV-2 Is an Robot Bioweapon CoV-2 as suggested by the high sequence identity had GenBank, which in this case is equivalent to the led to a conclusion that SARS-CoV-2 has a natural existence of an assembled viral genomic sequence and origin. These striking findings have consequently made its associated sequencing reads, is not a definitive proof this article one of the most cited publications in the that this viral genome is correct or real. currently overwhelmed field of coronavirus research. Sequencing of a viral RNA genome requires Interestingly, an article published by Dr. Yong-Zhen amplifying segments of it using reverse transcriptase Zhang and colleagues on the same issue of Nature, PCR (RT-PCR) as the first step. The products of the RT- which also discovered SARS-CoV-2 as the responsible PCR, which are double-stranded DNA, would pathogen for COVID19, received much less citations2. subsequently be sent for sequencing. The resulted This latter article made no mention of RaTG132. Instead, sequencing reads, each ideally revealing the sequence Zhang and colleagues showed that, evolutionarily, of a segment of the genome, are then used to assemble SARS-CoV-2 was closest to two bat coronaviruses, the genome of the virus under study (Figure 1A). 2021 ZC45 and ZXC21, both of which were discovered and Typically, some segments of the genome may not be characterized by military research laboratories under the covered by the initial round of sequencing. Therefore, 3 Year control of the CCP government . Immediately after the gap filling will be carried out, where these missing publication of this article, Dr. Zhang’s laboratory was segments will be amplified specifically and the DNA 70 shut down by the CCP government with no explanations products subsequently sequenced. These steps are offered22. repeated until a complete genome can be assembled, Since its publication4, the RaTG13 virus has ideally with a proper depth to ensure accuracy. served as the founding evidence for the theory that However, this process leaves room for potential SARSCoV-2 must have a natural origin10. However, no fraud.
Recommended publications
  • Progress Report on a Pandemic
    The international journal of science / 20 August 2020 other diseases were more likely to be admitted to intensive care, whereas children seemed to have milder disease4. Progress report But it quickly became apparent that SARS-CoV-2 is not just a respiratory virus. It also affects blood vessels, causing on a pandemic thrombosis5 and strokes6. Autopsies have found the virus in organs other than the lungs, including the kidneys, liver, heart and brain, In the first of a series of editorials, we as well as in the blood7. We now know that symptoms of look back at some of the key findings COVID-19 can include gastrointestinal, neurological, renal, from scientists’ race to demystify the new cardiovascular and other complications8. coronavirus. Something in the air n the space of eight months, the new coronavirus It soon became clear that SARS-CoV-2 could hop from SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes, COVID-19, have one person to another. This could happen through direct dominated the work of thousands of researchers in an contact or indirect transmission, such as through drop- unprecedented global effort. lets expelled during a cough, or even a simple exhalation. In a series of editorials, we look back at key scientific What wasn’t clear — and is still a matter of debate — is how Ifindings that have revealed important characteristics of big those droplets need to be, and how far they can travel. the virus and COVID-19, including emerging approaches to It’s an important question. Larger droplets will quickly treatment and prevention. We begin, this week, with how fall to the ground, but smaller, lighter ones — known as aer- the virus was identified; how it transmits between people; osols — can stay suspended in the air.
    [Show full text]
  • 1. Sars-Cov Nucleocapsid Protein Epitopes and Uses Thereof
    www.engineeringvillage.com Citation results: 500 Downloaded: 4/24/2020 1. SARS-COV NUCLEOCAPSID PROTEIN EPITOPES AND USES THEREOF KELVIN, David; PERSAD, Desmond; CAMERON, Cheryl; BRAY, Kurtis, R.; LOFARO, Lori, R.; JOHNSON, Camille; SEKALY, Rafick-Pierre; YOUNES, Souheil-Antoine; CHONG, Pele Assignee: UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK; BECKMAN COULTER, INC.; UNIVERSITE DE MONTREAL; NATIONAL HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTES Publication Number: WO2005103259 Publication date: 11/03/2005 Kind: Patent Application Publication Database: WO Patents Compilation and indexing terms, 2020 LexisNexis Univentio B.V. Data Provider: Engineering Village 2. SARS-CoV-specific B-cell epitope and applications thereof Wu, Han-Chung; Liu, I-Ju; Chiu, Chien-Yu Assignee: National Taiwan University Publication Number: US20060062804 Publication date: 03/23/2006 Kind: Utility Patent Application Database: US Patents Compilation and indexing terms, 2020 LexisNexis Univentio B.V. Data Provider: Engineering Village 3. A RECOMBINANT SARS-COV VACCINE COMPRISING ATTENUATED VACCINIA VIRUS CARRIERS QIN, Chuan; WEI, Qiang; GAO, Hong; TU, Xinming; CHEN, Zhiwei; ZHANG, Linqi; HO, David, D. Assignee: INSTITUTE OF LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE OF CHINESE ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES; THE AARON DIAMOND AIDS RESEARCH CENTER; QIN, Chuan; WEI, Qiang; GAO, Hong; TU, Xinming; CHEN, Zhiwei; ZHANG, Linqi; HO, David, D. Publication Number: WO2006079290 Publication date: 08/03/2006 Kind: Patent Application Publication Database: WO Patents Compilation and indexing terms, 2020 LexisNexis Univentio B.V. Data
    [Show full text]
  • The Genetic Structure of SARS‐
    Received: 2 September 2020 Revised: 16 October 2020 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000240 PROBLEMS & PARADIGMS Prospects & Overviews The genetic structure of SARS-CoV-2 does not rule out a laboratory origin SARS-COV-2 chimeric structure and furin cleavage site might be the result of genetic manipulation Rossana Segreto1 Yuri Deigin2 1 Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria Abstract 2 Youthereum Genetics Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2′soriginisstillcontro- Canada versial. Genomic analyses show SARS-CoV-2 likely to be chimeric, most of its sequence Correspondence closest to bat CoV RaTG13, whereas its receptor binding domain (RBD) is almost iden- Rossana Segreto, Department of Microbiology, tical to that of a pangolin CoV. Chimeric viruses can arise via natural recombination or University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. human intervention. The furin cleavage site in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 confers Email: [email protected] to the virus the ability to cross species and tissue barriers, but was previously unseen No external funding was received for this work. in other SARS-like CoVs. Might genetic manipulations have been performed in order to Rossana Segreto and Yuri Deigin contributed evaluate pangolins as possible intermediate hosts for bat-derived CoVs that were orig- equally to this study. inally unable to bind to human receptors? Both cleavage site and specific RBD could result from site-directed mutagenesis, a procedure that does not leave a trace. Consid- ering the devastating impact of SARS-CoV-2 and importance of preventing future pan- demics, researchers have a responsibility to carry out a thorough analysis of all possible SARS-CoV-2 origins.
    [Show full text]
  • WHO-Convened Global Study of Origins of SARS-Cov-2: China Part
    WHO-convened Global Study of Origins of SARS-CoV-2: China Part Joint WHO-China Study 14 January-10 February 2021 Joint Report 1 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ARI acute respiratory illness cDNA complementary DNA China CDC Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention CNCB China National Center for Bioinformation CoV coronavirus Ct values cycle threshold values DDBJ DNA Database of Japan EMBL-EBI European Molecular Biology Laboratory and European Bioinformatics Institute FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations GISAID Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Database GOARN Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network Hong Kong SAR Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Huanan market Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market IHR International Health Regulations (2005) ILI influenza-like illness INSD International Nucleotide Sequence Database MERS Middle East respiratory syndrome MRCA most recent common ancestor NAT nucleic acid testing NCBI National Center for Biotechnology Information NMDC National Microbiology Data Center NNDRS National Notifiable Disease Reporting System OIE World Organisation for Animal Health (Office international des Epizooties) PCR polymerase chain reaction PHEIC public health emergency of international concern RT-PCR real-time polymerase chain reaction SARI severe acute respiratory illness SARS-CoV-2 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARSr-CoV-2 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-related virus tMRCA time to most recent common ancestor WHO World Health Organization WIV Wuhan Institute of Virology 2 Acknowledgements WHO gratefully acknowledges the work of the joint team, including Chinese and international scientists and WHO experts who worked on the technical sections of this report, and those who worked on studies to prepare data and information for the joint mission.
    [Show full text]
  • Congress of the United States
    FRANK PALLONE, JR., NEW JERSEY CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS, WASHINGTON CHAIRMAN RANKING MEMBER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS Congress of the United States House of Representatives COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE 2125 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515-6115 Majority (202) 225-2927 Minority (202) 225-3641 April 16, 2021 Mr. Peter Daszak, PhD President EcoHealth Alliance 460 West 34th Street, 17th Floor New York, NY 10001 Dear Dr. Daszak: We write to request information and documents from EcoHealth Alliance (EHA) related to the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, including possible pandemic links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).1 EHA has an extensive history with research into bat coronaviruses in China, some of which are presumed progenitors of SARS CoV-2.2 In addition, EHA has partnered with the WIV in this area of research, and WIV lists EHA as one of its eight international partners, and the only one in the U.S.3 For example, last year EHA, the WIV, and others co-authored an article on the origin and cross-species transmission of bat coronaviruses in China, and presented phylogenetic analysis suggesting a likely origin of SARS-CoV-2 in horseshoe (Rhinolophus spp.) bats.4 Further, for several years, EHA has provided some of its National Institutes of Health (NIH) federal funding to WIV as a federal sub-award recipient for bat coronavirus research to conduct high-quality testing, sequencing, field sample analyses, sample storage and 1 All references to the WIV include the former names of the Chinese establishment, that include the Wuhan Institute of Microbiology, the Wuhan Microbiology Research Laboratory, the Hubei Provincial Institute of Microbiology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
    [Show full text]
  • NTS-Asia-Monograph-Coronavirus
    Table of Contents Foreword 2 About the Authors 3 Acknowledgements 4 Introduction 5 Chapter One Pathogen Research Networks in China: Origins and Steady Development 8 Chapter Two Chinese Biosafety Level 4 Laboratories and Their Key International Linkages 21 Chapter Three Critical Assistance from Virology Networks Abroad 26 Chapter Four The Future of Chinese Virology Laboratories: China as “Number One”? 37 Appendix Graphs of Transnational Networks: China, the West and the Rest 42 Bibliography 51 NTS-Asia Monograph 1 Foreword The importance of paying close attention to health security has become more urgent than ever as the world continues to deal with the devastating impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Since its outbreak in 2020, the pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 has already resulted in millions of lives lost and inflicted untold human misery and suffering to people globally. The Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, is one of the leading centres in Asia that highlights the critical linkages between non-traditional security challenges, like climate change and health security, to national and global security. As we have seen, the COVID-19 pandemic is more than a public health emergency of international concern. Its severe impacts cut across economic security, food security, environmental security and personal security, among others. As the international community continues to grapple with the consequential impact of COVID-19, it is sobering to note that other pandemics are expected to emerge. Thus, the need to advance the global agenda of pandemic preparedness and response cannot be overstated given the evolving nature of emerging infectious diseases.
    [Show full text]
  • Searching Therapeutic Strategy of New Coronavirus Pneumonia from Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2: the Target of COVID-19 and SARS-Cov
    European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-020-03883-y REVIEW Searching therapeutic strategy of new coronavirus pneumonia from angiotensin-converting enzyme 2: the target of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV Shu-ren Li1 & Zi-jian Tang1,2 & Zai-han Li3 & Xuan Liu4 Received: 9 March 2020 /Accepted: 27 March 2020 # The Author(s) 2020 Abstract Since December 2019, the infection of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) caused an outbreak of new coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China, and caused great public concern. Both COVID-19 and SARS-CoV belong to the coronavirus family and both invade target cells through ACE2. An in-depth understanding of ACE2 and a series of physiological and physiological changes caused by the virus invading the human body may help to discover and explain the corresponding clinical phenomena and then deal with them timely. In addition, ACE2 is a potential therapeutic target. This article will summarize the role of ACE2 in multiple organ damage caused by COVID-19 and SARS-CoV,targeted blocking drugs against ACE2, and drugs that inhibit inflammation in order to provide the basis for subsequent related research, diagnosis and treatment, and drug development. Keywords New coronavirus (COVID-19) . Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) . SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) A prerequisite for coronavirus infection is its entry into host Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) cells. In this process, spike protein (S protein) recognizes host cell receptors and induces fusion of viral and cell membranes. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an important neuroendo- XU et al. [1] found that the S protein of COVID-19 is similar crine system in the human body, it including the classical to the S protein of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) through angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) -angiotensin II biological analysis.
    [Show full text]
  • Mink and SARS-Cov-2
    Mink farming & SARS-CoV-2 Mink farming & SARS-CoV-2 Center for a Humane Economy & Animal Wellness Action June 2021 Center for a Humane Economy P.O. Box 30845 Bethesda MD 20824 https://centerforahumaneeconomy.org/ Animal Wellness Action 611 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E. #136 Washington DC 20003 https://animalwellnessaction.org/ Copyright © 2021 by the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action. All rights reserved. 1 Mink farming & SARS-CoV-2 Table of Contents Page(s) Review and analysis ....................................................................................... 6-11 I - Executive summary .............................................................................................................................. 6 II - Underlying risk factors posed by captive mink on farms ................................................................. 6 III - Key findings ....................................................................................................................................... 6 IV - Key policy conclusions and recommendations .................................................................................8 V - Methodology ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Authorship ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Infection, Genetics and Evolution 84 (2020) 104384
    Infection, Genetics and Evolution 84 (2020) 104384 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Infection, Genetics and Evolution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/meegid Review SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: A genetic, epidemiological, and evolutionary perspective T Manuela Sironia, Seyed E. Hasnainb, Benjamin Rosenthalj, Tung Phanc, Fabio Lucianid, Marie-Anne Shawe, M. Anice Sallumf, Marzieh Ezzaty Mirhashemig, Serge Morandh, ⁎ Fernando González-Candelasi, , on behalf of the Editors of Infection, Genetics and Evolution a Bioinformatics Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini (LC), Italy b JH Institute of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, Tughlakabad, New Delhi, India c Division of Clinical Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA d University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, New South Wales, Australia e Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom f Departamento de Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil g University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655-0112, USA h Institute of Evolution Science of Montpellier, Case Courier 064, F-34095 Montpellier, France i Joint Research Unit Infection and Public Health FISABIO-University of Valencia, Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio) and CIBER in Epidemiology and Public Health, Valencia, Spain j Animal Parasitic Disease Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: In less than five months, COVID-19 has spread from a small focus in Wuhan, China, to more than 5 million Coronavirus people in almost every country in the world, dominating the concern of most governments and public health Coevolution systems.
    [Show full text]
  • The Latest News Around Us 5 30 2021 CEO Pay Rises To
    The latest News Around Us_5_30_2021 CEO pay rises to $12.7M even as pandemic ravages economy STAN CHOE - AP Business Provided by Associated PressFILE- This photo combo shows from left, Brian Niccol, CEO of Chipotle, Advance Auto Parts CEO Tom Greco, Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald. Pay packages rose yet again in 2020 for the CEOs of the biggest U.S. companies, even though the pandemic sent the economy to its worst quarter on record and slashed corporate profits around the world. (AP Photo/File) NEW YORK (AP) — As COVID-19 ravaged the world last year, CEOs’ big pay packages seemed to be under as much threat as everything else. Fortunately for those CEOs, many had boards of directors willing to see the pandemic as an extraordinary event beyond their control. Across the country, boards made changes to the intricate formulas that determine their CEOs’ pay — and other moves — that helped make up for losses created by the crisis. As a result, pay packages rose yet again last year for the CEOs of the biggest companies, even though the pandemic sent the economy to its worst quarter on record and slashed corporate profits around the world. The median pay package for a CEO at an S&P 500 company hit $12.7 million in 2020, according to data analyzed by Equilar for The Associated Press. That means half the CEOs in the survey made more, and half made less. It’s 5% more than the median pay for that same group of CEOs in 2019 and an acceleration from the 4.1% climb in last year’s survey.
    [Show full text]
  • Congress of the United States
    FRANK PALLONE, JR., NEW JERSEY CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS, WASHINGTON CHAIRMAN RANKING MEMBER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS Congress of the United States House of Representatives COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE 2125 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515-6115 Majority (202) 225-2927 Minority (202) 225-3641 March 18, 2021 The Honorable Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D. Director National Institutes of Health 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 Dear Dr. Collins, We write to request information, assistance, and needed-leadership from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance an independent, scientific investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has been the worst public health crisis in the U.S. in about a hundred years. Over a year has passed since the deadly virus reached our shores and yet, the origin of the virus has yet to be determined. An independent, expert investigation of the origin of COVID-19 is of paramount importance to public health and biosecurity. As noted by Stanford Medical School Professor David Relman: A more complete understanding of the origins of COVID-19 clearly serves the interests of every person in every country on this planet. It will limit further recriminations and diminish the likelihood of conflict; it will lead to more effective responses to this pandemic, as well as efforts to anticipate and prevent the next one. It will also advance our discussions about risky science. And it will do something else: Delineating COVID-19’s origin story will help elucidate the nature of our very precarious coexistence within the biosphere.1 Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) attempted to investigate the origin of COVID-19.
    [Show full text]
  • CHASING PLAGUES the by Jane Qiu 32 FAST-TRACK DRUGS by Michael Waldholz
    SPECIAL REPORT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC 24 Scientific American, June 2020 Illustrations by Richard Borge sad0620Intro3p.indd 24 4/21/20 7:49 PM SPECIAL REPORT 26 CHASING PLAGUES THE By Jane Qiu 32 FAST-TRACK DRUGS By Michael Waldholz 36 FRONTLINE TRAUMA By Jillian Mock CORONAVIRUS 38 HOW THE HEALERS FEEL By Jillian Mock and Jen Schwartz 40 THE VACCINE QUEST By Charles Schmidt 44 WHAT COMES NEXT PANDEMIC By Lydia Denworth June 2020, Scientifi cAmerican.com 25 sad0620Intro3p.indd 25 4/21/20 7:49 PM ||||||||||||| |||| |||| ||| ||| || || || || || || | || || | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | S P E C I A L | | | | | | | | | | | | REPORT | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | CHASING PLAGUES VIROLOGIST SHI ZHENGLI CRAWLED THROUGH BAT CAVES IN BRIEF In 2004 Shi Zhengli IN CHINA TO TRACK found a natural reservoir of corona- viruses in bat caves in southern China. THE ORIGINS OF THE Genetic analyses show they have leaped to people several times, caus- ing deadly diseases FIRST SARS VIRUS AND such as COVID-19. Increasing contact between people and wild animals THE CURRENT PANDEMIC makes more outbreaks likely. By Jane Qiu 26 Scientific American, June 2020 June 2020, ScientificAmerican.com 27 he mySTeriouS paTienT SampleS arrived aT The Wuhan inSTiTuTe of Virology at 7 p.m. on December 30, 2019. Moments later Shi Zhengli’s cell phone rang. It was her boss, the institute’s director. The Wuhan Cen- ter for Disease Control and Prevention had detected a novel corona- virus in two hospital patients with atypical pneumonia, and it want- ed Shi’s renowned laboratory to investigate. If the finding was confirmed, the new pathogen could pose a serious public health threat—because it belonged to the same family of viruses as the one that caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a disease that plagued 8,100 people Tand killed nearly 800 of them be­­tween 2002 and 2003.
    [Show full text]