Slack / Private Message Drop — page 146

[Andrew Rambaut] For which story? [2020-08-26 02:38:45] [Eddie Holmes] Vague fishing exercise: [2020-08-26 02:38:47] [Eddie Holmes] The application for information is expressed as follows and covers the time period from 29 December 2019 to 23 July 2020: _Records generated after the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in China in communications with individuals or institutions located in China. The timeframe for these records is December 29, 2019, through the fulfillment of this request._ _ _ _The categories of records covered under this request include the following:_ _ _ 1. _Copies of communications such as emails sent (including by CC, BCC or forward) to or from personnel at the Viral Evolution Lab with the Faculty of Science (https:www.sydney.edu.au/science/our-research/research-areas/lifeand-environmental-sciences/viral-evolution.html)_ 2. _Copies of documents that involve informal or formal policies, legislation, or legal authorities or responsibilities, for example: opening, closing or interim summaries/status reports; memoranda; official and/or unofficial policy statements; notes; meeting minutes or summaries; etc._ _With regard to search criteria:_ _ _ _In general, searches should be broad enough to encompass any discussion (whether internal or external) of SARS-CoV-2 with individuals or institutions in China. Electronic search terms used to find responsive records should include but not be limited to "China CDC", "Wuhan CDC", "Wuhan Institute of Virology", "George Gao", "Gao Fu", "Shi Zhengli", "Bi Yuhai", "Yuan Zhiming", "Wang Yanyi", "Chinese Academy of Sciences"; "CAS"; "Jinyintan"; "Union Hospital"; "Tongji Hospital"; "China Red Cross"; "BGI"; "Beijing Genomics Institute"._ _ _ The applicant clarified the scope of the application as follows: _"I'm looking for any correspondences between the University of Sydney's lab conducting coronavirus research (_ht tps://www.sydney.edu.au/science/our-research/research-areas/life-and-environmental-sciences/viral-evolution.html _) and scientists in China, including but not limited to researchers at the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, with which the lab has an ongoing collaboration."_ [2020-08-26 02:47:36] [Eddie Holmes] Clearly, they are looking for links between me and various people/institutions in China. I've gone through all my email and the only person on that list of searches (and the Uni have advised me only consider that specific list of search terms) is George. There are about 8 email chains between George & I (and some others) since Jan 1, amounting to 23 pages in a PDF, most of which is blank pages or other people. Nothing dodgy, although there's one pleading that Zhang be shown mercy). I'm going to fight them having it, but there's nothing there. Journo will be very disappointed. [2020-08-26 06:58:16] [Kristian Andersen] What a load of bollocks! This, btw, is _*one*_ reason I mostly use my gmail... [2020-08-26 15:25:26] [Eddie Holmes] Yes, it's a good reason. But, of that long list of search terms, there's only a few emails between myself and George. [2020-08-26 15:30:21] [Eddie Holmes]