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Slack / Private Message Drop, pp.883-884 [SLACK_001097] · slack_pm:msg:09158

Date: 2021-05-27 14:24
Type: chat message · slack
recipient: Kristian G. Andersen, Robert F. Garry, Edward C. Holmes
speaker: Andrew Rambaut

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```The goal of Science's Insights section is to be the best place for scientists to talk to each other about science. So,given the importance of this issue and the breadth of expertise and outstanding qualifications of the authors, it wasan easy decision to publish the Letter. The authors acknowledged that demanding transparency from China--whileacknowledging the important role of Chinese researchers in tackling the virus--is a nuanced and important task given the discouraging rise of anti-Asian sentiment over the past 18 months.```

In context

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

2021-05-27 14:09 Kristian G. Andersen open

"metaphorical disco club during a pandemic". Pretty accurate :wink: [shared file(s): Screen Shot 2021-05-27 at 14.09.12.png]
2021-05-27 14:17 Robert F. Garry open

27-May-2021 Dear Dr. Garry, Manuscript number: abj5092 Thank you for submitting your manuscript "Comment: Investigate the origins of COVID-19" to Science. We will not be publishing any follow-up letters to the Bloom et al. letter given that arguments for one theory or the other remainspeculative. We are therefore notifying you so that you can seek publication elsewhere.Sincerely,Jennifer SillsScience
2021-05-27 14:19 Robert F. Garry open

Well so much for a "dispassionate science-based discourse."
2021-05-27 14:21 Edward C. Holmes open

I thought they wanted a debate?!
2021-05-27 14:24 Andrew Rambaut

```The goal of Science's Insights section is to be the best place for scientists to talk to each other about science. So,given the importance of this issue and the breadth of expertise and outstanding qualifications of the authors, it wasan easy decision to publish the Letter. The authors acknowledged that demanding transparency from China--whileacknowledging the important role of Chinese researchers in tackling the virus--is a nuanced and important task given the discouraging rise of anti-Asian sentiment over the past 18 months.```
2021-05-27 14:24 Robert F. Garry open

This actually makes no sense - if both arguments are "speculative," then why the hell did they publish the Bloomshit, which they just called speculative?
2021-05-27 14:26 Robert F. Garry open

Yeah - good point Andrew.
2021-05-27 14:30 Robert F. Garry open

And to be clear, the Bloomshit letter is speculating that Shi et al are involved in a massive conspiracy and cover-up.
2021-05-27 14:39 Kristian G. Andersen open

That's hilarious. From a journal called "Science".

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