Trump ended program to detect potential pandemic-causing viruses before they spread: report

[mystery-ak]

Trump ended program to detect potential pandemic-causing viruses before they spread: report
By J. Edward Moreno - 04/03/20 11:12 AM EDT

The Trump administration cut a $200 million program that trains scientists in China and other foreign countries to detect viruses that could become pandemics two months before the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Wuhan, China, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The program was launched by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2009 and reportedly supported staff in the Chinese lab that eventually identified the new coronavirus. The initiative, dubbed PREDICT, was launched in response to the 2005 H1N1 ”bird flu.”

According to the Times, USAID on Wednesday gave a $2.26 million grant to help labs around the world control the virus.


“Look at the name: Our efforts were to predict this before it happens. That’s the part of the program that was exciting — and that’s the part I’m worried about,” Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, a key player in the program, told the Times.

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/news/491004-trump-ended-program-to-detect-potential-pandemic-causing-viruses-before-they

[Right_in_Virginia]

I wonder how many times this story is going to be recycled.   

[aligncare]

I wonder how many times this story is going to be recycled.   

Over and over again until it sticks; big lies need frequent breathless repetition to break through democrats’ pea brains.

[mystery-ak]

I wonder how many times this story is going to be recycled.   

Until Schiffless sees it for his investigation

[GtHawk]

Can't say it better

[Smokin Joe]

What? as much money as we spend in China, they can't do their own pandemic causing pathogen detection?

Oh.

Right.

They can, but then they LIE about it.

[PeteS in CA]

The Trump administration cut a $200 million program that trains scientists in China and other foreign countries to detect viruses that could become pandemics two months before the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Wuhan, China, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The program was launched by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2009 and reportedly supported staff in the Chinese lab that eventually identified the new coronavirus. The initiative, dubbed PREDICT, was launched in response to the 2005 H1N1 ”bird flu.”

So, the 10-year program was successful. Chinese lab people were trained, and were able to do their jobs (which POed the local government, but that is another story). Why continue dumping $$ and people into the program? It would be far better for the first "generation" of trained people to become the trainers of the next generations. Otherwise China would become dependent long-term.