Thread by @ScottGottliebMD

People ask why the question of COVID's origin matters at this point, since it won't impact how we address the pandemic. We already know what we need to know about how this virus behaves. But it does matter, a lot: because it impacts how we address risks of future pandemics. 1/x

https://twitter.com/Ayjchan/status/1409875476429037578

If we assess probability exists, or rate as high, likelihood it came out of a lab; we must put security of BSL3/4 labs and greater supervision of high end research (and publication of dangerous synthetic sequences) much higher on list of priorities for international governance.

We must get our clandestine agencies that operate oversees more engaged in the public health mission; conducting surveillance of dangerous research that could lead to future threats. I discuss in detail how this mission could unfold in my forthcoming book Uncontrolled Spread 3/x

We need to engage our intelligence agencies in a manner sensitive to the simultaneous need for multilateral engagement and capacity building. But given the rising threats from high end research, we can't rely on these conventions alone. We need more active assessments of risk 4/x

If SARS2 escaped from a lab there could be a very small circle of people who know that fact for sure, and it's unlikely the Chinese government would ever share these details if they haven't already. So all we're likely to end up with is an assessment of relative probabilities 5/x

So, in the end, regardless of where those chips may fall, we should place more emphasis on getting better supervision, oversight, and governance of high end research and making sure high risk studies are conducted in proper labs and BSL3/4 labs a properly built and run 6/x