Here we have a terrible @liammannix article with an inflammatory headline that relies upon science that has not been peer reviewed. A thread.

#auspol #springst #ThisisNotJournalism https://www.theage.com.au/national/public-kept-in-dark-after-mutant-virus-seen-in-victoria-s-second-wave-20210107-p56sa3.html

The headline: Are @DanielAndrewsMP and @VicGovDHHS supposed to inform us each time the virus mutates? Viruses mutate. That is what they do. This is why there is so many different strains of the flu. Will @theage inform us that the sky is blue tomorrow? #ThisisNotJournalism

This article fails to explain what scientists mean when they say 'precursor'. As a science reporter you'd expect @liammannix to explain it. The paragraph below will likely have many believe that Vic is potentially responsible for the UK variant of COVID which is not true at all!

To be clear, this mutation in Victoria is not responsible in anyway for leading to the highly infectious strain from the UK. This mutation hasn't travelled from the Vic to the UK, despite what this paragraph may imply to the average person without a science degree.

Why do I think people would get confused? Well, here is @sumeyyailanbey trying to link the UK strain to Victoria. She was clearly confused by @liammannix's article. If Liam's article is confusing his colleagues, what hope for the rest of us? https://twitter.com/SquizzSTK/status/1347331365948121090?s=20

It's clear, in my view, that @liammannix needs to edit headline of his article and the previously discussed paragraph. Make it clear that the UK strain has nothing to do with Victoria. #auspol #springst #ThisisNotJournalism

Liam actually made a thread to defend his rubbish article after the presser. See linked below. https://twitter.com/liammannix/status/1347323733464137728?s=20

Dan's comments were in response to @sumeyyailanbey's silly questions, not the article itself as @DavidPenington2 points out in response to Liam's thread. David also correctly states how the Vic mutation would have arisen many times. https://twitter.com/DavidPenington2/status/1347411370564718592?s=20

If you need a thread to defend your article @liammannix then perhaps your article needs to be rewritten or not published at all? Anyway, back to the article.

Exactly, it was brought under control so why does this article even exist?

Exactly. Viruses mutate, nothing to see here. The article also makes no claims that this Vic mutation was more dangerous, so why did the public even need to be aware. Pointless article. Rubbish journalism.

Suggestions are not worth reporting about. It only leads to confusion. Particularly given that this mutation was contained, there is no need for this article.

Why is @liammannix a Science Reporter (apparently) writing articles on Science that has not been published or peer reviewed? This is not in the public interest and only leads to confusing the public and naturally (unfairly) reflects poorly on @DanielAndrewsMP and the @VicGovDHHS.

So? What's the issue Liam? To a non science person, this again suggests a direct link to the UK strain which is incorrect.

Did you really expect them to comment on a strain that was contained? Keeping in mind that viruses mutate all the time. Water is wet. The sky is blue. Hayden tweets a lot.

Yep, but nothing to do with Victoria though. What would be helpful and in the public interest @liammannix if you deleted this article and wrote one specifically on the UK strain.

So? Viruses mutate, nothing to see here. This again suggests a direct link that doesn't exist and is terrible journalism.

Science doesn't work on 'probably'. Imagine writing an article on something that is irrelevant and that the scientist isn't even sure of. @liammannix didn't just imagine it though, he actually did it. Pathetic journalism.

The rest of the article then goes on to talk about the UK strain and vaccines. To be fair to @liammannix the 2nd half of this article is good journalism. Delete the first half and the mentions of the Victoria mutation and we have a good article here.

In summary, @liammannix, don't write an article on non peer-reviewed science, on strains that have been contained and with paragraphs that are likely to lead the everyday reader to incorrect conclusions. #auspol #springst #ThisisNotJournalism

If you're wondering how am I making these claims when I am not a scientist... I had my assumptions when reading the article but I checked in with a friend who has a PhD and annoyed her extensively to confirm what I thought was true. Massive thanks to her. Have a good night ppl.