DUBAI: Nearly two thirds of people taking part in an Arab News Twitter poll say they believe the coronavirus was man-made.
Of the 3,085 people who voted, 61.9 percent (1,909) said they believed the virus was created in a laboratory, the remaining 38.1 percent (1,176) said they did not.
The coronavirus is known to have started in Wuhan, China, where it was identified in December, 2019.
The scientific community widely believe the virus started organically - however reports say the US is looking into whether it could have leaked accidently from a laboratory in Wuhan, which was studying viruses.
Meanwhile China claims the virus was past to humans at a wet market.
There is believed to have been about 4,000 human lives lost in Wuhan, and more than 50,300 people have been infected – although the exact figures still remain unclear and China has been accused of covering up the actual totals.
Globally the virus has infected 2.33 million people, killing more than 160,950 – but there have also been 598,584 people who have recovered, despite no cure having yet been found.
Many countries – including those in the Middle East – have introduced strict lockdowns, with violators facing tough penalties if caught.
The global economy faces an uncertain future and millions of people have either lost their jobs, or been forced to take leave while the pandemic continues.
