WHO experts slam NYT report on China trip, say they were 'misquoted'

Scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) recently refuted claims in some US media articles that Chinese scientists refused to hand over important data during their trip to China to trace the origins of the COVID-19 virus.

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times quoted the team as saying Chinese authorities refused to provide raw data - such as patient records. However, Peter Daszak, a zoologist and member of the WHO-China research team, said the team got access to critical data and felt trust and openness during the mission. He and another team member have criticized the New York Times for distorting the truth with their quotes "twisted" and misleading the public.

"This was NOT my experience on WHO mission. As lead of animal/environment working group I found trust and openness with my China counterparts. We DID get access to critical new data throughout," Daszak wrote on Twitter.

He added that new data including environment and animal carcass testing, suppliers to Huanan seafood market, analyses of mortality in Hubei province, and early cases are "all in a report coming soon," just as WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday's press conference in Geneva that two reports on the WHO mission's findings are to be released soon and publicly.

Another expert on the panel echoed his comments. Replying to the thread, Thea Kolsen Fischer wrote, "This was NOT my experience either on the Epi-side. We DID build up a good relationship in the Chinese and International Epi-team! Allowing for heated arguments reflects a deep level of engagement in the room. Our quotes are intendedly twisted casting shadows over important scientific work."

Responding to Fisher, Daszak tweeted, "Hear! Hear! It's disappointing to spend time with journalists explaining key findings of our exhausting month-long work in China, to see our colleagues selectively misquoted to fit a narrative that was prescribed before the work began. Shame on you @nytimes."

Ilaria Capua, professor at the University of Florida, retweeted Daszak's, saying, "It actually can get even worse than disappointing."