Thank you for sharing your thoughts. While it may be true that the PRC suppresses information, I doubt secrets can be hidden forever - some of them eventually get exposed. For instance, there was the raccoon dog DNA controversy where foreign scientists got hold of Chinese raw data and performed a re-analysis, showing that raccoon dog DNA co-localizes with SARS-CoV-2-positive environmental samples. I discussed this in a previous article here.

I also wouldn't say existing data is unrelated. They have been very helpful in understanding the early behavior and evolution of Covid-19. Again, while I can't deny the possibility of some key evidence still being withheld, the available information and evidence are still better than nothing. At least they tell us which situation (natural vs. lab) is more likely and I think that's enough.

IMHO, I don't think we live by absolutes or guarantees. For example, we can't guarantee when we will die, but we can give it an estimate so we dictate how we live our lives.