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Slack / Private Message Drop, p.324 [SLACK_000538] · slack_pm:msg:03409

Date: 2020-12-18 15:38
Type: chat message · slack
recipient: Robert F. Garry, Edward C. Holmes, Andrew Rambaut
speaker: Kristian G. Andersen

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Yeah, good summary Bob - I have spent a fair bit of time explaining the Level 1 issues with journalists - it just massively favors natural scenarios, but people just don't get it...For PO2, I don't even think we want to consider lab explanations - just fully focus on natural evolution and not give itany more consideration. Sure, if some relevant data comes up I'm all for it - but without specific "lab" data, there's noneed IMO. It'd also MASSIVELY piss off the DRASTIC crew, which I'd enjoy. Need more pango / bat viruses to look at.

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2020-12-18 14:40 Andrew Rambaut open

@Robert Garry Wendy Barclay who I am working with came up with the co-receptor idea as well. I think she is looking into that.
2020-12-18 14:42 Andrew Rambaut open

Yes, good summary. The point is you get down to just the SC2 virus was in the lab just as it was and someone got infected and then it spread. But that is just basically the same as a natural zoonosis in the country but with a very small numerator.
2020-12-18 15:09 Robert F. Garry open

Absolutely! What's dangerous is that the Lab origin crowd will make it difficult to actually going out and do the field work find/characterize the wild covs that we must characterize to prevent SC3 [or a pandemic nonsarbecovirus] from doing what SC2 is doing. The DRASTIC/Ebright crowd has latched onto some passages in the Quamman books tosuggests that the Chinese bat-people aren't too careful with PPE - may be true, but then do it right - don't shut itdown. Another point is that I've seen a lot of pics of the WIV krewe and others climbing down in the caves. That'sunnecessary - the best way to trap bats is with mist nets as they fly out at night. No need for spelunking.
2020-12-18 15:23 Robert F. Garry open

Human challenge trials - Fred Hutch buys in: https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2020/12/covid-19-vaccines-transmission.html
2020-12-18 15:38 Kristian G. Andersen

Yeah, good summary Bob - I have spent a fair bit of time explaining the Level 1 issues with journalists - it just massively favors natural scenarios, but people just don't get it...For PO2, I don't even think we want to consider lab explanations - just fully focus on natural evolution and not give itany more consideration. Sure, if some relevant data comes up I'm all for it - but without specific "lab" data, there's noneed IMO. It'd also MASSIVELY piss off the DRASTIC crew, which I'd enjoy. Need more pango / bat viruses to look at.
2020-12-18 15:49 Robert F. Garry open

"It'd also MASSIVELY piss off the DRASTIC crew, which I'd enjoy.":rolling_on_the_floor_laughing:
2020-12-18 15:50 Kristian G. Andersen open

It'll big a giant :middle_finger:

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