Hello Prof. Samudrala,

I hope this comment finds you well in your inbox.

First, thank you for your thoughtful comment on this article. I'm currently working on a similar article and would like to cite your comment. Here is the draft link and an excerpt:

Draft link: https://medium.com/@shinjieyong/origin-of-covid-19-a-full-update-43f137e2e1af

Text excerpt:

"""

Besides, the WIV claims that they have not worked on the Covid-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2, prior to the outbreak. To imply that there's a possible lab leak means that WIV must have been working with live SARS-CoV-2 virions, which there's no evidence of, said Dr. Peter Daszak, President of EcoHealth Alliance, who has worked closely with the WIV on coronavirus research.

Ram Samudrala, a professor of computational biology and bioinformatics at the University at Buffalo, once commented that "In my opinion, in terms of a conspiracy that involves humans, the best way to evaluate its correctness, is to ask: "How many people would have to keep quiet in order for this to work.""

Many Chinese doctors quickly spoke out about SARS-CoV-2 during the early outbreak in Wuhan despite restrictions and threats by the Chinese Communist Party, Prof. Samudrala mentioned. So, it's highly implausible that nobody at the WIV has confessed by now if SARS-CoV-2-related experiments were really going on at the WIV, which would involve dozens of researchers.

"""

So, may I please get your permission in mentioning your name in the draft? Please let me know if you prefer not to be mentioned and I will just say it's from an anonymous person.