Yes, I agree with the Dec, 2019 date for the U.S. -- possibly even earlier - evidence very scant, however. The problem is in the 'identifying' the disease. Remember early on the diagnoses were 'pneumonia', 'flu' - that sort of thing. Scientists, medical professionals, will not go out on a limb without concrete proof... then you have the info suppression now in effect, political suppression, enforced through loss of research funds, loss of tenure, etc.
Credit strong Chinese influence since December of 2019 for that. CCP has arrived in the U.S. China is positioning to become the dominant world power. The Joe will assist.