Overview

• Private communications reveal that authors of a key 2020 Nature Medicine paper publicly dismissed the lab leak theory while privately considering it plausible or likely.
• The Lancet letter dismissing the lab leak theory as a conspiracy was organized by Peter Daszak, who had undisclosed ties to the Wuhan lab through EcoHealth Alliance.
• The CIA and Department of Energy have concluded with 'low confidence' that a lab leak is the likely origin of COVID-19.
• Top scientists and officials coordinated to mislead journalists and obscure evidence, including suggestions to delete communications to avoid scrutiny.
• A recent New York Times column has reignited public and media criticism over the role of the scientific community and media in shaping misinformation around COVID-19's origins.