A study published July 28th in Nature Microbiology titled, “Evolutionary origins of the SARS-CoV-2 lineage responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic,” implies a direct bat origin at a time when analyses remain woefully incomplete. Nevertheless, news media continue to sensationalize inconclusive speculation in a manner that needlessly demonizes bats and circumvents the scientific process:
BBC NEWS—“COVID-19: Infectious coronaviruses circulating in bats for decades”
Popular Science—“The virus that causes COVID-19 has been silently brewing in bats for decades”
The Philadelphia Inquirer—“The next coronavirus may already be circulating in bats, study suggests”
Live Science—”Ancestors of coronavirus have been hiding out in bats for decades, ready to infect humans.”
None of these articles mentions either the exceptional value of bats or how rare it is to contract any disease from a bat. Readers need rational advice, not more cause for panic!
Failure to find an intermediate ancestor for SARS-CoV-2 is not a basis for concluding that bat-to-human transmission has occurred. There is a massive under-sampling of other species. It is even possible that the virus now causing COVID-19 evolved its deadly characteristics after arrival in humans. Much more sampling of possible hosts will be required before we can conclude where it came from.
The implied contention that bats are uniquely dangerous hosts of deadly coronaviruses is premature and inconsistent with current evidence. There is evidence of a horseshoe bat role in the early evolution of a SARS-like coronavirus. Nevertheless, Wenzel agrees, “common knowledge regarding SARS viruses is apparently not well supported.” There is a critical need to survey coronaviruses, far beyond bats. Finding the true source of COVID-19 transmission to humans is key to future prevention.
No patient zero has been found, leaving the route of transmission to humans a mystery. It is time to halt media headlines that misrepresent facts, risking the survival of already threatened bats, and diminishing confidence in science.
TAKE ACTION!
Our combined voices can make a difference. We invite you to politely share your opinion in your own words with the producers and editors. You may find our resources, Give Bats a Break and Good Intentions Can Still Leave a Bad Taste, additionally helpful in composing your personal reply and discussing these topics with others. Editors do take notice. Remember, your response can be very simple such as, “I don’t appreciate misleading speculation that perpetuates needless fear of bats.” Editors simply need to know you like or dislike an article for you to have an impact. It’s numbers that count and bats need all of you! Tell a friend about bat values and how they can help. Thank you for your vigilant support of bats, their conservation, and MTBC.
*Merlin has contacted all publishers and authors and received a response from the author of the Philadelphia Inquirer. His response was positive and no further action is needed for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- Contact BBC News
- Contact Popular Science
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- letters@popsci.com, queries@popsci.com
- Author, Kat Eschner, kat.eschner@gmail.com
- Contact Live Science
- Editor-in-chief, Jeanna Bryner, jbryner@livescience.com
- Associate Editor, Tia Ghose, tghose@livescience.com
- Associate Editor, Laura Geggel, lgeggel@livescience.com
- Author, Yasemin Saplakoglu, ysaplakoglu@livescience.com