I wonder if, as a side effect of near-universal social-distancing, we will end up eliminating any other contagious viruses, such as flu strains. Or instead, will the new selective pressure cause more widespread mutations of these viruses?
-
Well, that's not quite everything though. Even in fatal cases, the individual was contagious and asymptomatic for quite a long period. That's arguably even worse than the variability.
Agreed, but the fatal cases are the minority, so it doesn't have much of an effect on its overall ability to spread. Take the fatal cases away, and we would still have almost as many people infected.
-
-
In a sense, COVID-19 is about as close as we're likely to ever see in terms of the "perfect" pandemic: immensely infectious, and usually invisibly so over a long period of time. It can be everywhere before anyone has a chance to react or modify behavior.
-
I don’t think so. They said this is not the one. They are right. Not that infectious as it could be, not that deadly. Still a total nightmare. This is basically a novel cold/flu we have zero immunity for. Could be a lot worse, for sure.
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
The optimist in me wants to believe our species will never again be so completely lulled into a false sense of security in the face of something with this kind of virology. At the very least, this is an incredibly well-documented epochal moment in human history.
-
Glad we have the internet and remote working, unlike ‘Spanish flu’ and previous plagues!
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
Not in a virus interest to kill too many too quickly. Adapting from animals I suppose (don’t know) they don’t generally die from it. What is really strange is how the symptoms and severity can be so different, not just by age or underlying issues either.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
The asymptotic cases and wide range of symptoms generally is a real curve-ball with this virus. I think the former is it’s latent danger, catching so many unaware.
-
Asymptomatic*
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.