"The covid-19 lab leak hypothesis: did the media fall victim to a misinformation campaign?"
Regardless of what you think about the lab leak hypothesis, this statement is deeply concerning. Resorting to name-calling ("conspiracy theorist!") as opposed to logically assessing the merits of a statement does not sound like a scientific approach. (Not pointing at any particular wing of the political spectrum - I have seen this from all sides unfortunately.)
> Filippa Lentzos, codirector of the Centre for Science and Security Studies at King’s College, London, told the Wall Street Journal, “Some of the scientists in this area very quickly closed ranks.”3 She added, “There were people that did not talk about this, because they feared for their careers. They feared for their grants.”
This is also concerning. I wonder how many different scientific fields are experiencing something similar - people staying silent to receive grant money?
Regarding point 1, yeah the Chinese stalled, but doctors in Wuhan were already texting each other about the weird infection, in November/December. I think it's possible a government lab took a sample of the virus and started to develop the vaccine even before an actual government acknowledgement, however irresponsible that is.
Point 2 feels like an accusation with no evidence, just based on prior behavior of someone in some other place, but also China.
Point 3 could just be coincidence.
US Senate Committee reveals China may have made vaccines before telling the world there was a dangerous virus in the country + others
