Plain English with Derek Thompson How the Media Failed Its COVID Test: The Truth Behind the Lab Leak and Masking Debates
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Mar 7, 2023 
Dan Engber, a science writer and editor at The Atlantic, joins Jason Abaluck, a Yale economist, to dissect media coverage of COVID-19's origins and the mask debate. They explore the controversial lab leak hypothesis versus natural origins, highlighting media shortcomings in public understanding. Engber critiques the inconsistent messaging from journalists, while Abaluck shares insights from his research in Bangladesh that challenges traditional views on mask effectiveness. The discussion emphasizes the need for critical thinking and accountability in science journalism.
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Early Collaboration
- Derek Thompson and Dan Engber worked together at Slate.
- Thompson's first article, edited by Engber, explored how the government tracks mileage.
Epistemology and COVID
- The discussion about COVID origins involves epistemology.
- It questions how we know things, whether it's about mileage or a virus's source.
Media's Initial Lab Leak Reaction
- In 2020 and early 2021, the lab leak theory was largely dismissed as misinformation.
- Many journalists conflated it with racist conspiracy theories, hindering open discussion.