Onisillos

@onisillos

Editor-in-Chief of a very good microbial journal. (Illustration by David S. Goodsell, RCSB Protein Data Bank. doi: 10.2210/rcsb_pdb/goodsell-gallery-028)

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Onisillos@onisillos· 28d

As I was foolish enough to read the recent Atlantic article on covid origins, I will re-share my takes on this topic to cleanse myself: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... and www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

SARS-CoV-2 is a natural virus that found its way into humans through mundane contact with infected wildlife that went on to cause the most consequential pandemic for over a century. While it is scholarly to entertain alternative hypotheses, particularly when evidence is scarce, these alternative hypotheses have been implausible for a long time and have only become more-so with increasing scrutiny. Those who eagerly peddle suggestions of laboratory involvement have consistently failed to present credible arguments to support their positions.
Take the time to reflect on the paragraph above and how many words were expended to make the simple point that COVID-19 had a natural origin. This is because there are many people, most notably in the USA, with disproportionate influence who are poised to seize on less explicit statements to undermine a simple, and pretty straightforward, truth. These are the same people who are willing to malign individuals—a topical example being former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci—who dedicated themselves to understanding and lessening the impact of the pandemic.
The sheer hubris needed to underpin alternative hypotheses was an early signal of their tenuousness, when we are intensely aware that the natural processes needed to bring about this sort of pandemic are constantly churning and testing the boundaries between animal and human populations. The most remarkable thing about the whole COVID-19 origin saga is the confected controversy over something that should not be controversial at all. The thing that should be controversial is how little of the energy expended over this discussion has been directed towards actual beneficial outcomes.
To be frank, the fanciful ideas put forward by self-described free thinkers are more in keeping with popular movies than the realities of working with pathogens. It is admirable to pursue curiosity wherever it might lead and to reject the constraints of…

A year ago, August 2024, we addressed the state of discussions about COVID-19 origins in our Editorial COVID-19 origins: plain speaking is overdue. We did not lay out the evidence because the space we had available was not sufficient to address the points in detail. And the evidence was presented in a comprehensive and digestible fashion by the authors of the relevant research. Our focus was laying out the situation in a clear and uncluttered way, to counter the many commentators in the press who were giving their assessments based on what they wanted to believe (or what would make a more entertaining story) rather than what they could back up with evidence. Given the potential consequences, to pandemic prevention and public health in general, they were being irresponsible.
On June 27, 2025, WHO’s Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) published their report Independent Assessment of the Origins of SARS-CoV-2. This report provides an update in the context of information that has emerged since their 2022 report. The report outlines the most prominent hypotheses and reflects on the supporting evidence for each of them. They stress that they did not have access to raw data when preparing this report, and SAGO and WHO have requested further information from governments, including those that have made assertions about the origins of SARS-CoV-2: China, Germany, and the USA. At the time of writing the report this information had not been provided. Meaning that this report is based on published literature, not so-called intelligence touted by some governments.
The report outlines four hypotheses but essentially two are based on zoonotic spillover and two are based on a laboratory accident. The assessment in the report from the outset discounts one hypothesis from each of these broad categories due to a lack of evidence, although SAGO remains open to reconsideration if more evidence is forthcoming. Despite giving one of the laboratory accident…

Onisillos@onisillos· Jul 10

I assume the current spike in mortality is related to the heat. www.euromomo.eu/graphs-and-m...

Excess mortality for all ages from EuroMOMO (euromomo.eu) 2026 showing an unusual spike this summer.

Onisillos@onisillos· Jul 8

This is her:

Onisillos@onisillos· Jul 6

Got sucked in by the hype and picked this up. I’ve read far too many books on this idiot, but it sounds like this one got under his skin.

Regime Change
Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump
By Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan

Onisillos@onisillos· Jun 24

Trillionaires don't last long it seems www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/

Onisillos@onisillos· Jun 22

Onisillos@onisillos· Jun 10

I just visualise this:

Onisillos@onisillos· Jun 9

Just look at this tracker of the money incinerator every time someone says something is unaffordable. isaiprofitable.com

Onisillos@onisillos· Jun 8

I'm tempted to never restart Teams...

Onisillos@onisillos· May 26

🥳

Onisillos@onisillos· May 25

This isn’t fair!! 😭

Onisillos@onisillos· May 22

All joking aside, please take care ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-heal...

Heat health alerts
Alerts in England

Yellow alert
North East
North West
Yorkshire and The Humber
South West
Amber alert
East Midlands
West Midlands
East of England
London
South East

Onisillos@onisillos· May 18

"...as investments in PPR slow and important reforms stall, this report’s findings offer a clear warning that sustained momentum is essential to prevent preparedness from slipping backward." Translation: preparedness will slip backward. gpmb.org/reports/m/it...

Onisillos@onisillos· May 18

Looking at a random account that has blocked me shows that the menu is still accessible

Onisillos@onisillos· May 14

Some people are still struggling with manuscript cover letters. Here's my quick guide: onisillos.substack.com/p/demystifyi...

Think of the cover letter as a simple summary:

What you have found

What it adds to current understanding

Why that matters

Beyond your research, offer other supportive background points. Such as why you feel the journal is best suited to your research and if it relates to upcoming events or government or regulator decisions.

Onisillos@onisillos· Apr 29

"For global health publications, we argue that equal area projections, which preserve the relative sizes of different areas, are most suitable." www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...