Thread by @JamieMetzl

1/ Many people have asked about the politics of the #COVID19 origins debate after I was featured on @60Minutes. It’s tragic that politics is preventing the full investigation that’s required, but the story is a bit complicated. Follow this thread for more. cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-…

2/ Can understand why Chinese gov’t promoting zoonotic jump & cold chain #COVID19 origin hypotheses & squash consideration of lab leak. There’s a big difference btw getting cancer from sun exposure than from #Chernobyl. It's harder to understand why some int’l experts play along.

3/ Most noticed I was calling on @60Minutes for a full investigation into all #COVID19 origin hypotheses but @PeterDaszak unwilling to seriously consider or look into possible lab leak. Ruling out valid hypotheses from the start violates the scientific method. @mattwridley

4/ People have asked me if I believe @PeterDaszak is on China’s payroll or acting in bad faith & I always say no. I believe he’s fighting to defend his life’s work & field. But so often in life, if we aren't careful, our greatest strengths can become our greatest vulnerabilities.

5/ Many virologists like @PeterDaszak have spent their lives sounding the alarm about pandemics & calling for the protection of wild spaces, slowing climate change, anticipating future threats, etc. Most of this is essential (not gain of function research on dangerous pathogens).

6/ If the story of #COVID19 is nature countering human abuse & encroachment through zoonosis, that would send a powerful message encouraging us to find a better balance w/ nature. It would empower ecologists & virologists. But what if that’s not how the pandemic actually began?

7/ I’ve outlined why I believe a lab-related incident is the most likely #COVID19 origin hypothesis in my website, interviews, & writing. Don’t just believe me because I had a fun conversation w/ @JoeRogan. Review the evidence & draw your own conclusions. jamiemetzl.com/origins-of-sar…

8/ If #COVID19 should be proven to stem from a lab incident, that could negatively impact virology like #Chernobyl & 3 Mile Island impacted nuclear science. No wonder experts like @PeterDaszak & @K_G_Andersen fighting back tooth & nail.

9/ Unfortunately, ppl like @PeterDaszak & @K_G_Andersen fighting so hard to protect their preferred origin hypotheses they’re reverting to derision & obfuscation. Better for them to support a full investigation of all hypotheses, including a lab incident.

https://twitter.com/K_G_Andersen/status/1376954933677760514?s=20

10/ Some int’l experts fighting to defend their longtime collaboration w/ #ShiZhengli. The crux of the int’l committee’s argument against considering the lab leak hypothesis is their trust in her. If she’s proven unreliable that line of argument collapses. dailycaller.com/2021/03/23/shi…

11/ But we can’t allow the fact that the Chinese gov’t & a few int’l experts favor the zoonosis hypothesis get in the way of our critical need to fully examine all origin hypotheses. That’s the essential message of our open letter. nytimes.com/interactive/20…

12/ Now that @DrTedros has fully supported a full investigation into all origin hypotheses, I hope we can bury once & for all the crazy notion that some credible #COVID19 hypotheses shouldn't even be investigated. The next step is making this happen. bbc.com/news/world-asi…

13/ We all know it’s critical to stop the destruction of wild spaces, protect our biosphere, ensure proper regulation of BSL labs, etc., but understanding how #COVID19 began will help us prioritize among these activities. It’s like needing to understand why each plane crashes.

14/ Hope everyone can agree we need a full & unrestricted int’l investigation into all #COVID19 origin hypotheses w/ full access to all relevant records, samples & personnel. We need to rally behind @DrTedros & call on our leaders to make the necessary full investigation happen.