margarita25
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Before I forget, I’m not sure if this has been mentioned or discussed yet, and I apologize in advance for any repetition, as I’ve been on an extended sanity break, which by the way has not worked. 
I saw something recently wrt the possible origin of the virus in terms of the intermediary host - they are looking at the “ferret badger” (?) iirc as one possibility - adding JMO for now as I need to remember/research my source and add the link. Will add as eta shortly.
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eta omg this is from 2007
Detection of a Novel and Highly Divergent Coronavirus from Asian Leopard Cats and Chinese Ferret Badgers in Southern China
“Since an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was averted in 2004, many novel coronaviruses have been recognized from different species, including humans. Bats have provided the most diverse assemblages of coronaviruses, suggesting that they may be the natural reservoir. Continued virological surveillance has proven to be the best way to avert this infectious disease at the source. Here we provide the first description of a previously unidentified coronavirus lineage detected from wild Asian leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) and Chinese ferret badgers (Melogale moschata) during virological surveillance in southern China. Partial genome analysis revealed a typical coronavirus genome but with a unique putative accessory gene organization. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the envelope, membrane, and nucleoprotein structural proteins and the two conserved replicase domains, putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and RNA helicase, of these novel coronaviruses were most closely related to those of group 3 coronaviruses identified from birds, while the spike protein gene was most closely related to that of group 1 coronaviruses from mammals. However, these viruses always fell into an outgroup phylogenetic relationship with respect to other coronaviruses and had low amino acid similarity to all known coronavirus groups, indicating that they diverged early in the evolutionary history of coronaviruses. These results suggest that these viruses may represent a previously unrecognized evolutionary pathway, or possibly an unidentified coronavirus group. This study demonstrates the importance of systematic virological surveillance in market animals for understanding the evolution and emergence of viruses with infectious potential.”
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Feb. 19, 2021
“The World Health Organisation team investigating the origins of the coronavirus has identified rabbits and ferret badgers sold in a Chinese market as potential animal vectors in the virus’s jump to humans.
Both animals were sold in the Wuhan market connected to the first reported outbreak of the coronavirus in December 2019, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
Frozen ferret badger carcasses and rabbits were found in the market and are capable of carrying and transmitting the virus, although they tested negative.
Despite the findings, the WHO team, which recently took a month-long trip to China, said further investigation is needed to ascertain a full list of all the creatures sold at the market. The supply chains used by vendors at the market, where alive and dead animals are sold – both legally and illegally – must also be looked into.
The team also wants China’s mink farms to be looked into, as outbreaks of the virus have been detected at a number of European farms.“
Ferret badgers and rabbits sold in Wuhan could have Covidto humans, says WHO
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FEB. 9, 2021
China probe: SARS-CoV-2 jump from go-between host most likely scenario
“More studies needed in market animals
Investigators also urged more studies of the animals sold at the seafood market in Wuhan linked to the first reported patient cluster. Peter Daszak, PhD, a team member from the United States who is with EcoHealth Alliance, said on Twitter today that there were no SARS-CoV-2 positives from animals at the seafood market, but some are thought to be susceptible to coronaviruses, including ferret badgers.“
I saw something recently wrt the possible origin of the virus in terms of the intermediary host - they are looking at the “ferret badger” (?) iirc as one possibility - adding JMO for now as I need to remember/research my source and add the link. Will add as eta shortly.
—
eta omg this is from 2007
Detection of a Novel and Highly Divergent Coronavirus from Asian Leopard Cats and Chinese Ferret Badgers in Southern China
“Since an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was averted in 2004, many novel coronaviruses have been recognized from different species, including humans. Bats have provided the most diverse assemblages of coronaviruses, suggesting that they may be the natural reservoir. Continued virological surveillance has proven to be the best way to avert this infectious disease at the source. Here we provide the first description of a previously unidentified coronavirus lineage detected from wild Asian leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) and Chinese ferret badgers (Melogale moschata) during virological surveillance in southern China. Partial genome analysis revealed a typical coronavirus genome but with a unique putative accessory gene organization. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the envelope, membrane, and nucleoprotein structural proteins and the two conserved replicase domains, putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and RNA helicase, of these novel coronaviruses were most closely related to those of group 3 coronaviruses identified from birds, while the spike protein gene was most closely related to that of group 1 coronaviruses from mammals. However, these viruses always fell into an outgroup phylogenetic relationship with respect to other coronaviruses and had low amino acid similarity to all known coronavirus groups, indicating that they diverged early in the evolutionary history of coronaviruses. These results suggest that these viruses may represent a previously unrecognized evolutionary pathway, or possibly an unidentified coronavirus group. This study demonstrates the importance of systematic virological surveillance in market animals for understanding the evolution and emergence of viruses with infectious potential.”
—
Feb. 19, 2021
“The World Health Organisation team investigating the origins of the coronavirus has identified rabbits and ferret badgers sold in a Chinese market as potential animal vectors in the virus’s jump to humans.
Both animals were sold in the Wuhan market connected to the first reported outbreak of the coronavirus in December 2019, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
Frozen ferret badger carcasses and rabbits were found in the market and are capable of carrying and transmitting the virus, although they tested negative.
Despite the findings, the WHO team, which recently took a month-long trip to China, said further investigation is needed to ascertain a full list of all the creatures sold at the market. The supply chains used by vendors at the market, where alive and dead animals are sold – both legally and illegally – must also be looked into.
The team also wants China’s mink farms to be looked into, as outbreaks of the virus have been detected at a number of European farms.“
Ferret badgers and rabbits sold in Wuhan could have Covidto humans, says WHO
—
FEB. 9, 2021
China probe: SARS-CoV-2 jump from go-between host most likely scenario
“More studies needed in market animals
Investigators also urged more studies of the animals sold at the seafood market in Wuhan linked to the first reported patient cluster. Peter Daszak, PhD, a team member from the United States who is with EcoHealth Alliance, said on Twitter today that there were no SARS-CoV-2 positives from animals at the seafood market, but some are thought to be susceptible to coronaviruses, including ferret badgers.“
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Turn the clinic into a coffee pub. Socially distanced, of course. 
