SARS-CoV-2
FINISH
Based on many comments, memes and posts I've seen on social media over the last few weeks, one would get the impression that humans have never been exposed to a virus before. My personal most disliked ones are those that outline a potential trail of infection from one person to another usually ending up with the text painting the 'perpetrator' as a bad person while at the same time exposing the virtues of 'self isolation' or 'social distancing'. Ridiculous at best, misinformed fear mongering is more like it. Humans live, and have lived, in a world full of viruses for much of their existence as a species. Further, we carry many of these viruses around without even knowing it meaning we develop no symptoms nor illness as a result.
First though, a story
First though, a story, a story that may be fiction, may be fact or may be something in between. The opening sentence framework is shamelessly stolen:
"There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate."There is no doubt that psychopaths and other chaos inducing personality disorders run rampant in the so called halls and rooms of power, governmental positions of rule and rot. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate.
For generations untold, humanity has been in a constant three-way struggle with itself, its morality and power. I would not hesitate to wager the origins of this can be traced back to the biggest earliest humanoid and their biggest earliest club. As the centuries rolled ever forward, groups of humans began to coalesce, some in groups bonded by a common trade, common belief set, common goal of which a small group of these rose in wealth and power via tools of violence and war. Some formed families of which a small group of these rose in wealth and power via tools of violence and war. Substantial wealth allowed the individuals in these groups to obtain the best living conditions, the best of available healthcare, food. These individuals often stayed within their peer social circles thereby separating the two groups, not only physically but empathically as well. But most importantly, it removed the daily struggles and worries of survival, it allowed these individuals to focus on different things, loftier goals, greater conquest. In short and to coin a phrase: it allowed them to play the long game whereas the vast majority was forced to play short. The dark irony here is that one of the biggest reasons so many had to struggle can be traced directly back to the actions of the privileged few.
Fast forward a spell, 1913, the enslavement of a nation and the beginning of the modern end. By this time, the groups and families had long been established and had long been listening intently in their respective echo chambers. Power is power not only in effect but also in affect. The exercise of the malignant version of power has wide ranging negative effects, most harmful in some way, many deadly in others. Power also affects its wielder: it's seductive, alluring but most of all addicting, exercising a powerful hold.
1913 saw the enactment of the federal reserve system in the United States of America. This legislation, created by and for the banking industry, was slipped past a nation that was celebrating Christmas. This act gave a monopoly on the creation and regulation of the money of a nation to a very few from the aforementioned groups, most of whom are unaccountable and unknown to anyone but themselves.
Fostering in the festering minds of some in this crowd were delusions of grandeur, of total superiority over their fellow humans, often not considering them human at all let alone a fellow. They proceeded to operate within their individual passions; some made war, killing others at the behest of their warped dreams, like cowards. Others padded softly in the shadows of intrigue, dispensing their death at a distance thru the hands of others, like cowards. Others found a home in the production of
See, one of the catch-22's of power is also one of it characteristics: power is affecting change at a distance
Virus in General
Viruses are microscopic parasites, generally much smaller than bacteria. They lack the capacity to thrive and reproduce outside of a host body.
Predominantly, viruses have a reputation for being the cause of contagion. Widespread events of disease and death have no doubt bolstered such a reputation. The 2014 outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, and the 2009 H1N1/swine flu pandemic (a widespread global outbreak) likely come to mind. While such viruses certainly are wily foes for scientists and medical professionals, others of their ilk have been instrumental as research tools; furthering the understanding of basic cellular processes such as the mechanics of protein synthesis, and of viruses themselves.
Viruses teeter on the boundaries of what is considered life. On one hand, they contain the key elements that make up all living organisms: the nucleic acids, DNA or RNA (any given virus can only have one or the other). On the other hand, viruses lack the capacity to independently read and act upon the information contained within these nucleic acids.
What Are Viruses?
Viruses are microscopic organisms that exist almost everywhere on earth. They can infect animals, plants, fungi, and even bacteria.
Sometimes a virus can cause a disease so deadly that it is fatal. Other viral infections trigger no noticeable reaction.
A virus may also have one effect on one type of organism, but a different effect on another. This explains how a virus that affects a cat may not affect a dog.
Viruses vary in complexity. They consist of genetic material, RNA or DNA, surrounded by a coat of protein, lipid (fat), or glycoprotein. Viruses cannot replicate without a host, so they are classified as parasitic.
They are considered the most abundant biological entity on the planet.
What to know about viruses
Viruses spread from person to person mainly in droplets that fly out when you cough or sneeze. These tiny drops from a sick person move through the air and land on the mouths or noses of others nearby.
Germs are also passed along when you touch mucus droplets from someone else on a surface like a desk and then touch your own eyes, mouth, or nose before you get a chance to wash your hands. Viruses like the flu can live 24 hours or longer on plastic and metal surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and cups.
How do viruses spread from person to person?
There is some evidence indicating that viruses can also be transmitted in aerosol form. Aerosol essentially means much tinier particles (droplets) than would be produced by an average sneeze or cough. Due to their size, these particles can stay suspended (float) in the air for longer periods versus the average droplet which is subject to gravity. It's important to note that aerosol suspension ability is dictated by environment meaning that research laboratory conditions are very different than the environment that most folks find themselves in day to day. For example: air movement in the form of breeze/wind will not only cause the aerosol particles to move but also to disperse sending their ability to transmit plummeting.
Title Viral Infections: Types, Treatment, and Prevention Add Date 1st April 2020 Category Science Description Excellent top to bottom look at viruses presented mostly free of scientific and medical jargon. URL Viral Infection Types, Treatment, and Prevention
Title COVID-19 | Corona Virus: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnostics Category Science Video
Reviewed Yes
Title COVID-19 | Corona Virus: Treatment, Prognosis, Precautions Category Science Video
Reviewed No
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