The covid-19 lab leak hypothesis: did the media fall victim to a misinformation campaign?

Thacker, Paul D.

doi:10.1136/bmj.n1656

Cited by 45 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…[3] Even some in the scientific community have actively suppressed or dismissed views they consider "misinformation". [4][5][6][7] This has been mirrored by social media platforms and internet search engines making "an aggressive effort" to prevent the dissemination of "misinformation about the coronavirus". [3] Conversely, free speech advocates argue that the active suppression of "misinformation" is frequently counter-productive [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Tale of Two Scientific Paradigms: Conflicting Scientific Opinions on What “Following the Science” Means for Sars-Cov-2 and the Covid-19 Pandemic

Quinn¹,

Connolly²,

ÓhAiseadha³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments have adopted responses revolving around the open-ended use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), including “lockdowns”, “stay-at-home” orders, travel restrictions, mask-wearing, and regulated social distancing. Initially these were introduced with the stated goals of “flattening the curve” of hospital demand and/or the eradication of the virus from the country (i.e., “zero covid” policies). Over time, these goals have shifted to maintaining sufficient NPIs in place until such time as population-wide vaccination programmes have achieved an appropriate level of herd immunity to allow lifting of these measures without excessive hospital demand. Supporters of this approach have claimed to be “following the science”, insisting that criticism of any aspects of these measures is non-scientific or even “scientific misinformation”. This idea that only one set of scientifically valid opinions on COVID-19 exists has encouraged the media, social media and even scientific journals to suppress and/or dismiss any differing scientific opinions as “erroneous”, “discredited” or “debunked”, resulting in discouragement of open-minded scientific inquiry or discussion. Accordingly, in the current article we identify two distinct scientific paradigms to analysing COVID-19 adopted within the medical and scientific community. Paradigm 1 is primarily model-driven, while Paradigm 2 is primarily empirically-driven. Using these two paradigms we have analysed the epidemiological data for 30 northern hemisphere countries (with a total population of 882 million). Remarkably, we find using each paradigm leads to diametrically opposite conclusions on many policy-relevant issues. We discuss how these conflicting results might be reconciled and provide recommendations for scientists and policymakers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Tale of Two Scientific Paradigms: Conflicting Scientific Opinions on What “Following the Science” Means for Sars-Cov-2 and the Covid-19 Pandemic

Quinn¹,

Connolly²,

ÓhAiseadha³

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…EcoHealth Alliance has been given millions of dollars in grants by the US federal government to research viruses for pandemic preparedness. The alliance has subcontracted out its research, including around $600 000 (£434 000; €504 000) to the Wuhan Institute of Virology 2…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Covid-19:Lancetinvestigation into origin of pandemic shuts down over bias risk

Thacker¹

2021

BMJ

Self Cite

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“…Di berbagai wilayah dunia pun, informasi yang salah memenuhi media masa dan sosial bahkan semenjak awal pandemi COVID-19 dan tidak pernah berhenti hingga detik ini. menegaskan bahwa kasus ini sangat perlu ditangani secara serius; "… the lab leak scenario deserves serious investigation…"(Thacker 2021). Tuduhan akan kebocoran WIV terutama banyak dibincangkan di Amerika, oleh karena figur seperti Donald Trump dan Steve Bannon sangat meyakini teori ini, meskipun mereka tidak menyampaikan buktinya di depan publik.…”

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Covidiot di Masyarakat Post-Truth: Dari Anti-Otoritarianisme ke Anti-Religiusitas

Maulana

Majid

Prayogo

et al. 2021

JPS

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This article aimed to elaborate on 'Covidiot' as discourse emerged within the Post-Truth Society and how it is linked to 'Anti-Authoritarianism' and 'Anti-Religiousity'. It turns out that Covidiot is considered as one of the lethal ignorance practised by the global communities, refuting parts or the whole COVID-19 protocols regulated by the government while at the same time distributing the massive number of hoaxes. In order to enquire into the discussion, Researcher utilized the 'Discourse-Analysis' method uncovering the ideological substance of Covidiot, starting from its definition and history, followed by an analysis concerning a relationship between COVID-19 and the Post-Truth era. The research continued with a proper comprehension regarding the impact of Covidiot on society and ended with a reflection regarding how Covidiot symbolized an act of 'Anti-Authoritarianism' and 'Anti-Religiousity'. This paper concluded that Covidiot in the Post-Truth society is in urgent demand of the sustained approach from government officers and religious figures to successively educate society further about the jeopardy of Covidiot.

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The covid-19 lab leak hypothesis: did the media fall victim to a misinformation campaign?

Abstract: The theory that SARS-CoV-2 may have originated in a lab was considered a debunked conspiracy theory, but some experts are revisiting it amid calls for a new, more thorough investigation. Paul Thacker explains the dramatic U turn and the role of contemporary science journalism

Cited by 45 publications

References 6 publications

A Tale of Two Scientific Paradigms: Conflicting Scientific Opinions on What “Following the Science” Means for Sars-Cov-2 and the Covid-19 Pandemic

A Tale of Two Scientific Paradigms: Conflicting Scientific Opinions on What “Following the Science” Means for Sars-Cov-2 and the Covid-19 Pandemic

Covid-19:Lancetinvestigation into origin of pandemic shuts down over bias risk

Covidiot di Masyarakat Post-Truth: Dari Anti-Otoritarianisme ke Anti-Religiusitas

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