A "new study" has hit the headlines that apparently proves that SARS-CoV-2 was lab-grown I am QUITE SKEPTICAL for a number of reasons, would love your thoughts...pic.twitter.com/J9aJc1BeTq
Epidemiologist. Writer (Guardian, Observer etc). "Well known research trouble-maker". PhDing at @UoW Host of @senscipod Email gidmk.healthnerd@gmail.com he/him
You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more
Add this Tweet to your website by copying the code below. Learn more
Add this video to your website by copying the code below. Learn more
By embedding Twitter content in your website or app, you are agreeing to the Twitter Developer Agreement and Developer Policy.
| Country | Code | For customers of |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 40404 | (any) |
| Canada | 21212 | (any) |
| United Kingdom | 86444 | Vodafone, Orange, 3, O2 |
| Brazil | 40404 | Nextel, TIM |
| Haiti | 40404 | Digicel, Voila |
| Ireland | 51210 | Vodafone, O2 |
| India | 53000 | Bharti Airtel, Videocon, Reliance |
| Indonesia | 89887 | AXIS, 3, Telkomsel, Indosat, XL Axiata |
| Italy | 4880804 | Wind |
| 3424486444 | Vodafone | |
| » See SMS short codes for other countries | ||
This timeline is where you’ll spend most of your time, getting instant updates about what matters to you.
Hover over the profile pic and click the Following button to unfollow any account.
When you see a Tweet you love, tap the heart — it lets the person who wrote it know you shared the love.
The fastest way to share someone else’s Tweet with your followers is with a Retweet. Tap the icon to send it instantly.
Add your thoughts about any Tweet with a Reply. Find a topic you’re passionate about, and jump right in.
Get instant insight into what people are talking about now.
Follow more accounts to get instant updates about topics you care about.
See the latest conversations about any topic instantly.
Catch up instantly on the best stories happening as they unfold.
A "new study" has hit the headlines that apparently proves that SARS-CoV-2 was lab-grown I am QUITE SKEPTICAL for a number of reasons, would love your thoughts...pic.twitter.com/J9aJc1BeTq
First massive red flag
: the paper is NOT PUBLISHED YET
Science journalists know you NEVER report on a paper that is unpublished (because it might be shit)
Second 

: the abstract is...kind of weird
I'm not a virologist, but talking about some previous experiments that "reverse the burden of proof" is...not really logicalpic.twitter.com/9GUPW0Bt3Q
Also, the statement in the abstract that "all relevant" information has been destroyed or is unavailable is both untrue and a weeeird conspiracy theory for a scientific journal to publish
Reading the abstract, they literally say "because of our study, which does not prove anything, we expect other people to prove that the virus did not escape from a lab" Like I said, not ideal logic that
In an interview, one of the two scientists also says things that are, uh, wrong Again, not a virologist but as I understand it this is simply untrue (natural viruses can do lots of things)pic.twitter.com/G9G3KKvEnB
Anyway, would love some virologists perspectives on this because it does not seem likely despite being everywhere in the news @MackayIM @angie_rasmussen @trvrb
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9629563/Chinese-scientists-created-COVID-19-lab-tried-cover-tracks-new-study-claims.html …pic.twitter.com/shMz0HKj0Q
Is "utterly ignorable" a perspective?
Unfortunately the claim has already spread far and wide. I'm willing to bet you're going to keep hearing about it for a while!
Yes, but I block a lot of tomfoolery rather than engage with it these days.
Very glad you’re doing that. We Tweeps don’t own you (any of you four).
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.