Here is my top 4:   China controls what information gets out of the country; they could have faked or selectively leaked early videos that contradicted official statistics to promote speculation and fear.   The death rate and death type outside of China haven't matched the leaked videos showing people with blood filled lungs and nervous system failures.   China just signed a trade deal they don't like and this outbreak caused a delay in implementation. It also may affect Trump's reelection chances so they can renegotiate with senile Biden.   It's possible China released a relatively harmless covid19 to cover up the fact they released something far worse. If the leaked Wuhan videos are real, some of the deaths weren't from covid19.   Edit: Bonus reason to feel better - People who die from covid19 are far more likely to be diagnosed. The death rate is almost certainly over-estimated because the infection rate is almost certainly under-estimated.