But, I would question the assertion that asking about variables which should be done of every scientific study, is problematic.

Viruses do go latent and reside in places other than the sera. Why is that an unreasonable question? The sera is simply the least invasive place to look in live patients.

Like good scientists, good journalists ask many questions and retain some skepticism. If an obvious question is overlooked and a reporter doesn’t ask then they are not doing their job regardless of the answer.

But, I think the scientists present handled the questions deftly and redirected when they were not germane to the study. (The only time they didn’t was when Martin Enserink apparently joined the webcast late and asked a question that had already been covered.)

In general people hang on to theories even when disproven because they are desperate for answers that make sense to them – that fit with their experiences. That science is a slow process with many missteps doesn’t match up with their expectations or wishes. We don’t do a good job of teaching how good science is done. As Sheldon Cooper notes, science is more than wet lima beans in paper towels.

Dr. Lipkin indicated that the bulk of the funding went toward patients selection and samples and that additional research for biomarkers and other pathogens are already under way.