We speak with HKUMed Dr. Tommy Lam to learn the science behind how the coronavirus emerged from animal populations and can’t be man-made, why the pangolin could be an intermediary host, and whether we can be sure that the virus originated in Wuhan China.

Guests:

Dr. Tommy Lam, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong

Further Listening and Reading:

Fight COVID19 with HKU website

Dr. Lam Research

Dr. Lam Research linking pangolins to coronavirus

Channelnewsasia Video on How Coronavirus Started

Scripps Research That COVID19 From Nature

CNN article Scientists Debate Origin Theories

Vanity Fair article on how man-made origins of COVID19 spread

Vox video on how wildlife trade creates a coronavirus

Production credits:

Hosts: Marcy Trent Long and Bonnie Au

Associate producer: YuFei Wu

Intro/outro music: Alex Mauboussin