Thread by @Ayjchan

Went from helping to co-organize the @sciencepolicy conference to being a #CSPC2020 topic.

How can scientists address questions that have been painted as conspiracy theories? And without amplifying or legitimizing misinformation related to these questions.

Thanks @Sciencish

https://twitter.com/Sciencish/status/1329787839106707457

Good tips in this graphic by @CaulfieldTim
Definitely: Always consider the body of available evidence on the topic, recognizing that science evolves.

https://twitter.com/CaulfieldTim/status/1329542194789662720

As a scientist who has been washed out to sea on a contentious covid topic, I find it safest to talk to science journalists for news articles - professionals with some extent of scientific training, who know what to ask scientists, how to probe their reasoning and evidence.

Looking at the infographic, I think covid origins is a challenging topic for non-scientifically trained journalists.

Your trusted sources and the scientific consensus may not be very good at conveying the gaps in knowledge/logic because this is still an evolving area of inquiry.

When you're not sure about how all the evidence will stack up in the future, I believe that many tend to play it safe and stick to what other top scientists have said publicly already. Scientists are people too.