Chat message

Slack / Private Message Drop, p.121 [SLACK_000335] · slack_pm:msg:01233

Date: 2020-07-30 07:45
Type: chat message · slack
recipient: Kristian G. Andersen, Edward C. Holmes, Andrew Rambaut
speaker: Robert F. Garry
Topics: Proximal Origin paper

Recipients on this medium are inferred from channel membership, not per-message addressing.

Another point- Deep Throat says that Thomas was "quickly apprised of the situation." This might be "true" on some level and only Clare knows what Rev #2 told her in the private comments to editor box. Worth revisiting Clare'soriginal comments - emphasis in bold: While the Perspective is interesting and timely one of our referees raised concerns (*also emphasised to the editors*) about whether such a piece would feed or quash the conspiracy theories.*Critically, the purpose of our manuscript was not to quash conspiracy theories. Rather, our aim was to carefully examine in a balanced and unbiased manner the evidence for and against a number of possible probable scenarios for the proximal origins of SARS-CoV-2.* But more importantly this reviewer feels, and we agree, that the Perspective would quickly become outdated when more scientific data are published (for example on potential reservoir hosts).*Of course, it is likely that more scientific data will swing the balance in favor of one hypothesis over another. However, the same can be said of many of the papers published on COVID-19: as we learn more about the virus and the disease so previous publications may be quickly revised. We contend, however, our piece will remain relevant even if more data becomes available because these data would potentially confirm which of these scenarios is correct. Most importantly, our manuscript sets out what evidence is needed to test the hypotheses outlined and will therefore serve as an important starting point for guiding future research.*

Extracted statements

Rule-extracted, not adjudicated. The grade says what may be done with each one; read the document above before relying on any of them.

Statement	Grade	Attribution	Stance
Rather, our aim was to carefully examine in a balanced and unbiased manner the evidence for and against a number of possible probable scenarios for the proximal origins of SARS-CoV-2.* But more importantly this reviewer feels, and we agree, that the Perspective would quickly become outdated when more scientific data are published (for example on potential reservoir hosts).*Of course, it is likely that more scientific data will swing the balance in favor of one hypothesis over another.	needs context	uncertain explicit hedge	acknowledges

Statement

Grade

Attribution

Stance

Rather, our aim was to carefully examine in a balanced and unbiased manner the evidence for and against a number of possible probable scenarios for the proximal origins of SARS-CoV-2.* But more importantly this reviewer feels, and we agree, that the Perspective would quickly become outdated when more scientific data are published (for example on potential reservoir hosts).*Of course, it is likely that more scientific data will swing the balance in favor of one hypothesis over another.

needs context

uncertain explicit hedge

acknowledges

In context

A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.

2020-07-30 07:02 Robert F. Garry open

I agree about the anger increasing - we might all need office blow-up clowns.
2020-07-30 07:45 Robert F. Garry

Another point- Deep Throat says that Thomas was "quickly apprised of the situation." This might be "true" on some level and only Clare knows what Rev #2 told her in the private comments to editor box. Worth revisiting Clare'soriginal comments - emphasis in bold: While the Perspective is interesting and timely one of our referees raised concerns (*also emphasised to the editors*) about whether such a piece would feed or quash the conspiracy theories.*Critically, the purpose of our manuscript was not to quash conspiracy theories. Rather, our aim was to carefully examine in a balanced and unbiased manner the evidence for and against a number of possible probable scenarios for the proximal origins of SARS-CoV-2.* But more importantly this reviewer feels, and we agree, that the Perspective would quickly become outdated when more scientific data are published (for example on potential reservoir hosts).*Of course, it is likely that more scientific data will swing the balance in favor of one hypothesis over another. However, the same can be said of many of the papers published on COVID-19: as we learn more about the virus and the disease so previous publications may be quickly revised. We contend, however, our piece will remain relevant even if more data becomes available because these data would potentially confirm which of these scenarios is correct. Most importantly, our manuscript sets out what evidence is needed to test the hypotheses outlined and will therefore serve as an important starting point for guiding future research.*
2020-07-30 07:48 Kristian G. Andersen open

Yup, I looked back at those comments as well - I think DT is just overplaying what Clare actually did with that comment. But clearly it was an important part of her decision process - but I assume the comment had to do with the fact that new data would come out, and not about us 'stealing' the idea from others (she wouldn't have shopped itaround with all the other journals if that was the case - she knows us, so no way she'd believe slander like that)
2020-07-30 07:54 Robert F. Garry open

Agree - clearly she didn't believe it.
2020-07-30 07:55 Robert F. Garry open

Also tragically Herman Cain who attended Trump's Oklahoma rally maskless has just died of COVID-19. This is huge.
2020-07-30 07:58 Kristian G. Andersen open

Holy crap, yeah that's pretty big news...

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