My guess: I think the virus was intentionally released (note: that doesn’t necessarily mean it was created in the lab) and they are telling this story because they want to avoid the implications of the real story ever being discovered. This cover story lets leaders act outraged and even possibly punish China in some way without actually having the war that such an intentional act merits. China (and possibly some shadowy figures from other nations) killed over three million people (and 600,000+ Americans) and all involved will be allowed to get off easy because it did what it was supposed to do and reverted things in the US back to normal with the right sort of people in charge.
And I have no idea why this is in chit/chat and conspiracy when it’s an actual report from the WSJ. Come on. This is news.