Chat message

Slack / Private Message Drop, p.867 [SLACK_001081] · slack_pm:msg:09016

Date: 2021-05-25 09:14
Type: chat message · slack
recipient: Kristian G. Andersen, Robert F. Garry, Edward C. Holmes
speaker: Andrew Rambaut
Topics: Lab-leak / accidental release hypothesis Media strategy and public messaging Intelligence community assessments Natural origin / zoonotic spillover Wuhan Institute of Virology collaboration

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Sorry - I will be stapling my head to my desk at that time... ```I hope you are well. I'm the Broadcast Editor of the Spectator magazine. We produce a weekly podcast discussing some of the issues in the magazine each week, and for the upcoming episode, I'm looking to produce a discussionon the lab leak theory, based on our upcoming cover article. The article argues that the idea of an accidental leak from the WIV can't - and hasn't - been ruled out by the existing evidence. I wondered if you might be interested injoining a podcast discussion with the author of the article, science journalist Matt Ridley, to discuss?As a leading expert of molecular evolution, it'd be hugely instructive to hear from your expertise. I understand that there's been a lot of emotion and hyperbole when it comes to this topic (I'm Chinese!) but this article is clear that it isnot saying that a) the virus was genetically engineered or b) the virus was deliberately released. Matt is arguing that its natural origins does not rule out an accidental leak, and Chinese opaqueness has made the issue worse, inreference to the WHO inquiry. Might you be interested in joining? It will be a civil conversation even if you do disagree, as we would much prefer toshed light than heat, especially on controversial issues. It would be a 10 minute recording tomorrow or Thursday down the line (unless, of course, you're for some reason in London in which case we'd love to host you in ourWestminster offices).Do let me know what might be possible - we'd be honoured to have you.```

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2021-05-25 09:14 Andrew Rambaut

Sorry - I will be stapling my head to my desk at that time... ```I hope you are well. I'm the Broadcast Editor of the Spectator magazine. We produce a weekly podcast discussing some of the issues in the magazine each week, and for the upcoming episode, I'm looking to produce a discussionon the lab leak theory, based on our upcoming cover article. The article argues that the idea of an accidental leak from the WIV can't - and hasn't - been ruled out by the existing evidence. I wondered if you might be interested injoining a podcast discussion with the author of the article, science journalist Matt Ridley, to discuss?As a leading expert of molecular evolution, it'd be hugely instructive to hear from your expertise. I understand that there's been a lot of emotion and hyperbole when it comes to this topic (I'm Chinese!) but this article is clear that it isnot saying that a) the virus was genetically engineered or b) the virus was deliberately released. Matt is arguing that its natural origins does not rule out an accidental leak, and Chinese opaqueness has made the issue worse, inreference to the WHO inquiry. Might you be interested in joining? It will be a civil conversation even if you do disagree, as we would much prefer toshed light than heat, especially on controversial issues. It would be a 10 minute recording tomorrow or Thursday down the line (unless, of course, you're for some reason in London in which case we'd love to host you in ourWestminster offices).Do let me know what might be possible - we'd be honoured to have you.```
2021-05-25 09:41 Robert F. Garry open

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2021/05/25/tucker_carlson_fauci_the_who_and_the_media_lied_about_covi d_origins_for_more_than_a_year.html#!
2021-05-25 09:42 Robert F. Garry open

""A number of very qualified evolutionary biologists." Really? Where are those scientists today? Is there, for example, a single working virologist on planet earth who'd come on this show right now and dismiss the Wuhan lab leak idea out of hand as ridiculous -- or quote "outrageous," as Francis Collins of the NIH once did?"
2021-05-25 09:42 Kristian G. Andersen open

I'll be stapling my head to my desk too - got that email twise...
2021-05-25 09:45 Robert F. Garry open

Tucker :clown_face: is inviting any of us on his show as well - media opps galore!

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