@runestava.bsky.social
Reposted
"SARS-CoV-2 is too well-adapted to humans [hence, insert your favorite conspiracy theory]".
That was never right because, for one, SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic virus so it necessarily had to be "well-adapted".
Now, a new study shows the same is true for BANAL-236 - a related virus isolated from bats.
That was never right because, for one, SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic virus so it necessarily had to be "well-adapted".
Now, a new study shows the same is true for BANAL-236 - a related virus isolated from bats.
November 10, 2025 at 8:09 PM
"SARS-CoV-2 is too well-adapted to humans [hence, insert your favorite conspiracy theory]".
That was never right because, for one, SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic virus so it necessarily had to be "well-adapted".
Now, a new study shows the same is true for BANAL-236 - a related virus isolated from bats.
That was never right because, for one, SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic virus so it necessarily had to be "well-adapted".
Now, a new study shows the same is true for BANAL-236 - a related virus isolated from bats.
Reposted
My interview with Dr. Susan Monarez, former CDC Director, who was fired for doing her job, standing up for public health and science. Learn about her resilience and optimism.
erictopol.substack.com/p/dr-susan-m...
erictopol.substack.com/p/dr-susan-m...
Dr. Susan Monarez—Former CDC Director, First Live Interview
An American hero for standing up for science and public health
erictopol.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
My interview with Dr. Susan Monarez, former CDC Director, who was fired for doing her job, standing up for public health and science. Learn about her resilience and optimism.
erictopol.substack.com/p/dr-susan-m...
erictopol.substack.com/p/dr-susan-m...
Reposted
Great post. Enough people with minimal background try to over-interpret this that I thought it might help make good faith (but not inside baseball) interpretation easier to quickly annotate your graph with more general explanatory language.
October 31, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Great post. Enough people with minimal background try to over-interpret this that I thought it might help make good faith (but not inside baseball) interpretation easier to quickly annotate your graph with more general explanatory language.
Reposted
A new bat coronavirus discovered in Brazil confirms what we already knew: nature handles furin cleavage sites just fine.
Lab leakers, don’t worry, you've got the track record to pivot seamlessly to a career in creative fiction writing.
Quick update on the news:
open.substack.com/pub/protagon...
Lab leakers, don’t worry, you've got the track record to pivot seamlessly to a career in creative fiction writing.
Quick update on the news:
open.substack.com/pub/protagon...
The Brazilian clue
Or: another L for lab leak believers
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:40 PM
A new bat coronavirus discovered in Brazil confirms what we already knew: nature handles furin cleavage sites just fine.
Lab leakers, don’t worry, you've got the track record to pivot seamlessly to a career in creative fiction writing.
Quick update on the news:
open.substack.com/pub/protagon...
Lab leakers, don’t worry, you've got the track record to pivot seamlessly to a career in creative fiction writing.
Quick update on the news:
open.substack.com/pub/protagon...
Reposted
This is 💯 Origin inside baseball, but I've always been perplexed by Baric's claim that our "market" studies could not be correct because, according to him, the molecular timing of the pandemic in in October, not later.
That was always wrong, but where did he get this October date from?
Well... 🧵👇
That was always wrong, but where did he get this October date from?
Well... 🧵👇
October 31, 2025 at 5:41 PM
This is 💯 Origin inside baseball, but I've always been perplexed by Baric's claim that our "market" studies could not be correct because, according to him, the molecular timing of the pandemic in in October, not later.
That was always wrong, but where did he get this October date from?
Well... 🧵👇
That was always wrong, but where did he get this October date from?
Well... 🧵👇
Reposted
🧵Remember the preprint claiming SARS-CoV-2 has a "synthetic fingerprint"?
It said a restriction map was "extremely unlikely to have arisen by random evolution.”
I took its claims seriously.
The "synthetic fingerprint" hypothesis collapses. My new preprint explains why.
arxiv.org/abs/2510.23833
It said a restriction map was "extremely unlikely to have arisen by random evolution.”
I took its claims seriously.
The "synthetic fingerprint" hypothesis collapses. My new preprint explains why.
arxiv.org/abs/2510.23833
October 29, 2025 at 7:32 AM
🧵Remember the preprint claiming SARS-CoV-2 has a "synthetic fingerprint"?
It said a restriction map was "extremely unlikely to have arisen by random evolution.”
I took its claims seriously.
The "synthetic fingerprint" hypothesis collapses. My new preprint explains why.
arxiv.org/abs/2510.23833
It said a restriction map was "extremely unlikely to have arisen by random evolution.”
I took its claims seriously.
The "synthetic fingerprint" hypothesis collapses. My new preprint explains why.
arxiv.org/abs/2510.23833
Reposted
We’ve identified a highly divergent betacoronavirus from South American bat that encodes a functional furin cleavage site.
Another fascinating reminder of how diverse coronavirus evolution is in wildlife reservoirs.
#Virology #VirusEvolution #Bats #Coronavirus
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Another fascinating reminder of how diverse coronavirus evolution is in wildlife reservoirs.
#Virology #VirusEvolution #Bats #Coronavirus
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
A divergent betacoronavirus with a functional furin cleavage site in South American bats
Bats are natural reservoirs for a wide range of RNA viruses. Members of the genus Betacoronavirus, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome...
www.biorxiv.org
October 27, 2025 at 9:32 PM
We’ve identified a highly divergent betacoronavirus from South American bat that encodes a functional furin cleavage site.
Another fascinating reminder of how diverse coronavirus evolution is in wildlife reservoirs.
#Virology #VirusEvolution #Bats #Coronavirus
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Another fascinating reminder of how diverse coronavirus evolution is in wildlife reservoirs.
#Virology #VirusEvolution #Bats #Coronavirus
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted
Had an entertaining discussion with Chris and Matt about my book, gurus, media manipulators and how it all fits with the current attacks on science and scientists by the MAGA movement and beyond.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrsV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrsV...
Lab Leak Fever with Philipp Markolin
YouTube video by Decoding the Gurus
www.youtube.com
October 18, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Had an entertaining discussion with Chris and Matt about my book, gurus, media manipulators and how it all fits with the current attacks on science and scientists by the MAGA movement and beyond.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrsV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrsV...
Reposted
Full conversation here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H55...
Destiny FINALLY Learns The Truth About Covid
YouTube video by Last Night On Destiny
www.youtube.com
August 17, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Full conversation here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H55...
Reposted
All academic institutions will soon realize we are in this together, facing an autocratic ruler who wants to destroy academia, science, and public health (together with media and courts - pick up a history book).
There is only one solution - stand up, speak up, and, critically, collective action.
There is only one solution - stand up, speak up, and, critically, collective action.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is seeking a $1 billion settlement from UCLA cnn.it/3UPtS3V
August 8, 2025 at 8:42 PM
All academic institutions will soon realize we are in this together, facing an autocratic ruler who wants to destroy academia, science, and public health (together with media and courts - pick up a history book).
There is only one solution - stand up, speak up, and, critically, collective action.
There is only one solution - stand up, speak up, and, critically, collective action.
Reposted
A third of the way through Lab Leak Fever by Philipp Markolin. Fascinating look into the disinformation network amplified by social media and politicians that has put so much strain on hard working researchers, scientists and health professionals. @philippmarkolin.bsky.social
August 4, 2025 at 12:37 PM
A third of the way through Lab Leak Fever by Philipp Markolin. Fascinating look into the disinformation network amplified by social media and politicians that has put so much strain on hard working researchers, scientists and health professionals. @philippmarkolin.bsky.social
I’ve been waiting for this book, and it did not disappoint. Fantastic read — highly recommended!!
www.lab-leak-fever.com
www.lab-leak-fever.com
August 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I’ve been waiting for this book, and it did not disappoint. Fantastic read — highly recommended!!
www.lab-leak-fever.com
www.lab-leak-fever.com
Reposted
Insignificant as it is, my work was misrepresented by this DOE ‘report’.
"Climate Scientists Look to Fight Back Against DOE’s ‘Antiscientific,’ ‘Deceptive’ Climate Report" by Dennis Pillion for @insideclimatenews.org: insideclimatenews.org/news/3007202...
Climate Scientists Look to Fight Back Against DOE’s ‘Antiscientific,’ ‘Deceptive’ Climate Report - Inside Climate News
Climate scientist Michael Mann called the report “a deeply misleading antiscientific narrative, built on deceptive arguments, misrepresented datasets, and distortion of actual scientific understanding...
insideclimatenews.org
July 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Insignificant as it is, my work was misrepresented by this DOE ‘report’.
Reposted
It is endlessly hilarious to me that the 5 denier scientists they are able to dig up for this ... are the same 5 denier scientists they were able to dig up 10 years ago, and 20 years ago.
One might ask why no new scientists are joining this faction. Must be the global conspiracy.
One might ask why no new scientists are joining this faction. Must be the global conspiracy.
July 30, 2025 at 6:27 PM
It is endlessly hilarious to me that the 5 denier scientists they are able to dig up for this ... are the same 5 denier scientists they were able to dig up 10 years ago, and 20 years ago.
One might ask why no new scientists are joining this faction. Must be the global conspiracy.
One might ask why no new scientists are joining this faction. Must be the global conspiracy.
Reposted
Our research has been engulfed by an endless torrent of lab leak conspiracy theories about the origin of the pandemic - even as the evidence for zoonosis has only grown stronger.
This fuels anti-science agendas and erodes public trust.
Now, we respond 👇
theconversation.com/how-conspira...
This fuels anti-science agendas and erodes public trust.
Now, we respond 👇
theconversation.com/how-conspira...
How conspiracy theories about COVID’s origins are hampering our ability to prevent the next pandemic
The COVID pandemic likely began when the virus jumped from animals to humans, and didn’t start in a lab. But false narratives continue to circulate.
theconversation.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Our research has been engulfed by an endless torrent of lab leak conspiracy theories about the origin of the pandemic - even as the evidence for zoonosis has only grown stronger.
This fuels anti-science agendas and erodes public trust.
Now, we respond 👇
theconversation.com/how-conspira...
This fuels anti-science agendas and erodes public trust.
Now, we respond 👇
theconversation.com/how-conspira...
Reposted
This interview from @debunk-the-funk.bsky.social of @peterdaszak.bsky.social is essential viewing.
Conspiracy theorizing about a COVID lab leak is creating dangerous conditions for scientists. But misinformers spread bullshit with reckless abandon.
It’s sickening.
youtu.be/XTGM4u-l_YY?...
Conspiracy theorizing about a COVID lab leak is creating dangerous conditions for scientists. But misinformers spread bullshit with reckless abandon.
It’s sickening.
youtu.be/XTGM4u-l_YY?...
Talking COVID origins (w/ Dr. Peter Daszak)
YouTube video by Debunk the Funk with Dr. Wilson
youtu.be
July 29, 2025 at 4:32 AM
This interview from @debunk-the-funk.bsky.social of @peterdaszak.bsky.social is essential viewing.
Conspiracy theorizing about a COVID lab leak is creating dangerous conditions for scientists. But misinformers spread bullshit with reckless abandon.
It’s sickening.
youtu.be/XTGM4u-l_YY?...
Conspiracy theorizing about a COVID lab leak is creating dangerous conditions for scientists. But misinformers spread bullshit with reckless abandon.
It’s sickening.
youtu.be/XTGM4u-l_YY?...
Reposted
Instead of endless conspiracy theories it's better to focus on the evidence of this Q instead.
Three 🌟 recent lay-resources 👇
@debunk-the-funk.bsky.social
youtu.be/eTlur4YIAo0?...
@gidmk.bsky.social
gidmk.substack.com/p/pandemic-r...
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Three 🌟 recent lay-resources 👇
@debunk-the-funk.bsky.social
youtu.be/eTlur4YIAo0?...
@gidmk.bsky.social
gidmk.substack.com/p/pandemic-r...
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
July 22, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Instead of endless conspiracy theories it's better to focus on the evidence of this Q instead.
Three 🌟 recent lay-resources 👇
@debunk-the-funk.bsky.social
youtu.be/eTlur4YIAo0?...
@gidmk.bsky.social
gidmk.substack.com/p/pandemic-r...
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Three 🌟 recent lay-resources 👇
@debunk-the-funk.bsky.social
youtu.be/eTlur4YIAo0?...
@gidmk.bsky.social
gidmk.substack.com/p/pandemic-r...
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Reposted
Very nice video from Dr. Wilson calmly and factually laying out some of the key points on the origin of SARS-CoV-2.
featuring some new interviews with @peterdaszak.bsky.social as well
featuring some new interviews with @peterdaszak.bsky.social as well
July 17, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Very nice video from Dr. Wilson calmly and factually laying out some of the key points on the origin of SARS-CoV-2.
featuring some new interviews with @peterdaszak.bsky.social as well
featuring some new interviews with @peterdaszak.bsky.social as well
Reposted
It's worth looking at how far the lab leak conspiracy theory has gotten - here, Jeff Sachs👇
1️⃣ Came from lab ↩️
2️⃣ It was engineered ↩️
3️⃣ US-based technology ↩️
4️⃣ US-made (UNC) and tested in China (🦇) ↩️
5️⃣ Covered up by Biden Admin, ICs, Fauci, scientists ("inside job")
All, completely made up w. 0️⃣ data
1️⃣ Came from lab ↩️
2️⃣ It was engineered ↩️
3️⃣ US-based technology ↩️
4️⃣ US-made (UNC) and tested in China (🦇) ↩️
5️⃣ Covered up by Biden Admin, ICs, Fauci, scientists ("inside job")
All, completely made up w. 0️⃣ data
July 16, 2025 at 11:37 AM
It's worth looking at how far the lab leak conspiracy theory has gotten - here, Jeff Sachs👇
1️⃣ Came from lab ↩️
2️⃣ It was engineered ↩️
3️⃣ US-based technology ↩️
4️⃣ US-made (UNC) and tested in China (🦇) ↩️
5️⃣ Covered up by Biden Admin, ICs, Fauci, scientists ("inside job")
All, completely made up w. 0️⃣ data
1️⃣ Came from lab ↩️
2️⃣ It was engineered ↩️
3️⃣ US-based technology ↩️
4️⃣ US-made (UNC) and tested in China (🦇) ↩️
5️⃣ Covered up by Biden Admin, ICs, Fauci, scientists ("inside job")
All, completely made up w. 0️⃣ data
Reposted
What has always irritated me about this debate - and what I discuss in this piece - is how the lab leak has never had a shred of evidence supporting it. People are using the same arguments today that they were in 2020.
Meanwhile, zoonosis has only gotten more likely over time.
Meanwhile, zoonosis has only gotten more likely over time.
How did the pandemic start?
I have avoided publicly commenting on this for 5 years. Here's my take as someone who has no stake at all in the game.
gidmk.substack.com/p/pandemic-r...
I have avoided publicly commenting on this for 5 years. Here's my take as someone who has no stake at all in the game.
gidmk.substack.com/p/pandemic-r...
Pandemic Revisionism, Part One: COVID-19 Origins
Because people keep getting this very wrong.
gidmk.substack.com
July 8, 2025 at 3:51 AM
What has always irritated me about this debate - and what I discuss in this piece - is how the lab leak has never had a shred of evidence supporting it. People are using the same arguments today that they were in 2020.
Meanwhile, zoonosis has only gotten more likely over time.
Meanwhile, zoonosis has only gotten more likely over time.
Sviktende vitenskapsjournalistikk
"Likevel trakk flere bokanmeldelser frem Bratlies vitenskapelige analyse som «solid». Dette vitner om lavt kunnskapsnivå og sviktende kildekritikk i redaksjonene."
"Likevel trakk flere bokanmeldelser frem Bratlies vitenskapelige analyse som «solid». Dette vitner om lavt kunnskapsnivå og sviktende kildekritikk i redaksjonene."
Sviktende vitenskapsjournalistikk
Det handler ikke om å kneble kontroversielle teorier, men journalistisk ansvar og vitenskapelig redelighet.
www.journalisten.no
July 4, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Sviktende vitenskapsjournalistikk
"Likevel trakk flere bokanmeldelser frem Bratlies vitenskapelige analyse som «solid». Dette vitner om lavt kunnskapsnivå og sviktende kildekritikk i redaksjonene."
"Likevel trakk flere bokanmeldelser frem Bratlies vitenskapelige analyse som «solid». Dette vitner om lavt kunnskapsnivå og sviktende kildekritikk i redaksjonene."