Dr. Francis Boyle, Expert in Biological Warfare, believes that Covid19 is a Biological Weapon

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SternAAlbifrons
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Re: Dr. Francis Boyle, Expert in Biological Warfare, believes that Covid19 is a Biological Weapon

Post by SternAAlbifrons »

Yes, no arguments here Big N ^^.

ps it does say "sub-clinical" not "asymptomatic"
(as Kamm alluded to)
but yes. nobody credible is saying that we don't need to take extreme measures

"These findings warrant aggressive measures (such as N95 masks, goggles, and protective gowns) to ensure the safety of health-care workers during this COVID-19 outbreak, as well as future outbreaks, especially in the initial stages where limited information about the transmission and infective potency of the virus is available."

I have highlighted the last phrase to once again reinforce the message that wild predictions of any kind are based on "limited information". ie nearly valueless. the experts don't even have much of a clue at this very early stage.
But great caution needs to be practiced - in any case.
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Re: Dr. Francis Boyle, Expert in Biological Warfare, believes that Covid19 is a Biological Weapon

Post by Phnom Poon »

the tinfoil speculations are a bit much
but i find it entirely plausible the virus came from the lab
they've been messing with similar strains recently, earliest cases had no connection to the market, etc
as for engineering, there could be tell-tale signs in the sequence, if anyone were to look closely

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Re: Dr. Francis Boyle, Expert in Biological Warfare, believes that Covid19 is a Biological Weapon

Post by SternAAlbifrons »

Phnom Poon wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2020 5:55 pm the tinfoil speculations are a bit much
but i find it entirely plausible the virus came from the lab
they've been messing with similar strains recently, earliest cases had no connection to the market, etc
as for engineering, there could be tell-tale signs in the sequence, if anyone were to look closely
Plausibility | Definition of Plausibility at Dictionary.comwww.dictionary.com › browse › plausibility
having an appearance of truth or reason; seemingly worthy of approval or acceptance; credible; believable: a plausible excuse; a plausible plot. well-spoken and apparently, but often deceptively, worthy of confidence or trust:

"possible" maybe? I'd agree with that, and it is always something we should watch out for.
but very unlikely in this case. IMO.
My best bet is the animal theory - it fits perfectly with a number of other viruses, including other coronavirus, that have developed over the past 50 years.

As for the theory that this Topic originally started with - i give that no credence to that at all.
I wouldn't even call it 'plausable' according to the cynical definition above.
(because of its genesis and history - and it's main proponent)
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Re: Dr. Francis Boyle, Expert in Biological Warfare, believes that Covid19 is a Biological Weapon

Post by Phnom Poon »

i think it's more(less?) than 'very unlikely', i think there's actually a 'reasonable' chance
while there's no direct evidence for that, there's also no evidence of the animal route
in fact AFAIK it's very unclear what were the 'positive' results they found when they tested in the market
and this kind of murkiness is exactly what fuels the conspiracy theories

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Re: Dr. Francis Boyle, Expert in Biological Warfare, believes that Covid19 is a Biological Weapon

Post by SternAAlbifrons »

The evidence for the animal route is the history of similar viruses increasingly emerging in the same way.
Not proof, for sure. But the most credible indication for any of the competing theories i reckon.
And backed by the great majority of informed epidemiologists.

I do agree with most of what you say tho', PP.
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Re: Dr. Francis Boyle, Expert in Biological Warfare, believes that Covid19 is a Biological Weapon

Post by Phnom Poon »

yes i agree that's probably most likely
on the other hand it sure is an amazing coincidence that it broke out so close to a lab that was fooling around with very similar strains

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Re: Dr. Francis Boyle, Expert in Biological Warfare, believes that Covid19 is a Biological Weapon

Post by John Bingham »

The OP is basically saying you are a moron if you don't agree with him? Seems very reasonable.
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Re: Dr. Francis Boyle, Expert in Biological Warfare, believes that Covid19 is a Biological Weapon

Post by Phnom Poon »

bioweapon and engineering is far-fetched
'it escaped from the lab' can't be dismissed though
just too many astonishing coincidences and murkiness in official reports

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Re: Dr. Francis Boyle, Expert in Biological Warfare, believes that Covid19 is a Biological Weapon

Post by Big'n »

John Bingham wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2020 11:52 pm The OP is basically saying you are a moron if you don't agree with him? Seems very reasonable.


The morons are the ones who dismiss the possibility out of hand and then accuse me of wearing a tinfoil hat.
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Re: Dr. Francis Boyle, Expert in Biological Warfare, believes that Covid19 is a Biological Weapon

Post by SternAAlbifrons »

Big N - you see, that is the problem when you start off with the most bizarre theory proposed by a certifiable lunatic. As this thread started.
Then conflate it with a whole bunch of unrelated stuff.
You get garbled tabloid fear-mongering and conspiracy theories swirling all around. Like this tabloid TV story. ^^^
And then most people disregard the lot.

The last three "sentences" say it all.
Mentioning escaped bats, biological weapons, and CCP repression of criticism - all bundled together as if it was related.
Ending with the dramatic and totally unrelated "that could be the last communication of his life"
Laughable.

The sources quoted for this piece include nothing better than The Mirror and the Washington Times. Both rags.
The report itself makes clear this is only "speculation" (coming from a few individuals of no established credibility) and that "it needs further examination"

Nevertheless it is carried around the world - for what?
-for the love of fear, rumour and conspiracy. And to sell rags.
NB, Not saying anything is not possible, but these kind of tabloid rumours certainly have very little credibility.

Link below is to article from about two weeks ago when many of these wild rumours and sensational speculation were already swirling.
This excellent piece of investigative journalism details just how scratchy they are.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/01/29/co ... bioweapon/
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