Thread by @Ayjchan

On changing my name.

I’m proud of the work I’ve done on #OriginOfCovid someone had to do it

I’ve been warned by friends & family that I’ve ended my career or can’t travel safely under my real name any more.

I’m just going to put it out here that I don’t have a plan for myself.

I know this really fascinates journalists. And it’s going to be a main feature of profiles about me regardless of how much I ask journalists to just report about #OriginOfCovid instead of my personal story.

I wish more scientists could ask whether this pandemic began because of research activities, without fearing for their careers and whether they could ever go home and see their families.

If anyone else has been in this super extraordinary situation, I’d be happy to hear your advice on what I’m supposed to do here.

Honestly, sometimes the question posed to me is “how do you plan to protect yourself from the Chinese government?”

And I’m like… I’ll change my name.

Ok, unsurprisingly, some have suggested that I get a gun permit.

I’m not about to become Neo.

Just asking for an investigation of a possible lab #OriginOfCovid shouldn’t require me to learn kungfu.