COVID-19 Outbreak Information Updates (Reboot) [over 150.000,000 US cases (est.), 6,422,520 US hospitilizations, 1,148,691 US deaths.]

my argument to that is they still would have done business/trade etc with China even WITH Chinese lab release ....and folks would have probably heralded some sort of punitive measure(s) against China.

Then, 3 months later, when that "widget" they used to buy weekly for $10 is now American Made for $25, the populus would have found it within their interest to forgive.

LOL

( and like you, its ALWAYS about $$$ - but in this case, at that time, i dont think it was about $$$$- context in regards to trade w/ China around that time )

Therein lies the reason... pun indented... Americans would likely forgive with their wallets in mind... WWCD in retaliation for blame?