Scientists are beginning to acknowledge the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 originated in a Wuhan lab—an idea that began as a conspiracy theory but is now being seriously considered in scientific investigations into the virus’s origins. What should we make of all this?

First up today, Monday host Patty Peltekos speaks with Nicholas Wade, science writer and author of the piece “The origin of COVID: Did people or nature open Pandora’s box at Wuhan?” published last month by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

Then, professor Leticia Bode joins us to talk about conspiracy theories: what they are, why they proliferate so rapidly on social media, and how to talk to conspiracy-minded people.

Nicholas Wade is a science writer, editor, and author who has worked on the staff of Nature, Science, and, for many years, the New York Times.

Leticia Bode is an associate professor in the Communication, Culture, and Technology program at Georgetown University, where she specializes in political communication and new media.

Cover image by Dr StClaire from Pixabay