argumentA line of reasoning from premises to a conclusion. Like a claim, it belongs to no one who makes it.constitution →

Ascertainment bias and spatial-statistics critique

againstThis argument, if it holds, weighs against the claim.constitution →Early COVID-19 cases cluster spatially around the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market

The argument

This line of reasoning holds that the apparent proximity of December 2019 cases to the market is not a genuine geographic fact about where infections occurred. If linked claim, then the observed concentration reflects how cases were sought and detected rather than the true distribution of infection; and if linked claim, then the spatial pattern cannot be shown to be non-random clustering around the market at all. Taken together, these two objections would render the claimed concentration an artifact of biased case-finding and/or unvalidated spatial statistics.

Does it work?

Not yet evaluated.

Premises

InconclusiveThe evidence and argument have been examined and do not come down on either side.constitution →A spatial statistical test does not validly establish non-random clustering of early COVID-19 cases around the Huanan Market
InconclusiveThe evidence and argument have been examined and do not come down on either side.constitution →Early COVID-19 case ascertainment was biased toward cases linked to the Huanan market

Where it is made

Passages where sources make, criticize or mention this argument. They record where it appears, not how strong it is, and none has precedence over another.

No source is recorded as making it.