Viral mutations are a given. It’s just a matter of seeing which way it trends. History shows many of them mutate toward less infections states of being. Too early to be sure, for sure. Continuing maximum caution and careful proceeding should be practiced.
On the possible mutation of the virus, I’m skeptical but certainly open to the idea. Why skeptical? Well, it’s truly ravaging Latin America right now (see the video I sent in yesterday’s post – Brazil in particular is being hit very hard, hundreds of healthcare workers have died and a relatively young population is suffering badly), as it did Europe and the U.S. The U.S. is seeing a decreasing death rate, but still has close to 1,000 deaths every day.
Could it be, however, that once a virus settles into a place, a region, a country, it mutates to “survive:” Continues to be contagious but less lethal. Perhaps? The evidence sort of points in that direction, which would suggest the first wave of the virus is the most lethal strain, then the weaker ones take over. Maybe. I’m not an epidemiologist, so I have no idea.
As an undergraduate, I went to Clarkson University (then College). They are having weekly webinars by faculty members related to the virus. The one about evolution gave this link: https://nextstrain.org/
If nothing else, it gives you an idea of the effort that is going into mapping and tracing the every-changing genome.
There was another webinar titled “Virus Transmission Via Speech.” I may never leave the house again!
I heard on the radio this morning that the virus could transfer from the human brain spreading on to other cells within the body.
Seems awfully ludicrous to me that the virus actually gets to the brain cells.
I also thought I heard that Houston may have to shut down again.
Philip your right there is talk of a possible shut down in Houston as COVID cases have been spiking there.
Thank you. It will be a test to see how well it goes.
Longer-term mutations toward less deadly makes perfect sense. If I virus kills off all its potential hosts, then it kills itself off in the process. It may never reach that point, but the mutation would be a preventative measure to that end, and a survival tactic.
It does and how I’d normally think, but it is my understanding that is not the typical progression of a pandemic. Then nothing is typical about this hence the name novel I guess
Yes. We can go by past viruses as a guide, but we have to keep our eyes open to anything new.
Absolutely. Hence novel. New territory here
I agree with the above mutation discussion and will add that the treatment for the original virus can be just as effective against the mutated virus. Sometimes I think the general public hears the word mutation and thinks of a green 3 headed virus monster running uncontrollably.
How did you guess?
Yes, the general mentality is to assume the worst, which is OK in some cases, but not most of the time. Realistic views are always best. I always approach things that way.
C-19 for 6-14 is up…
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Is the corona virus mutating? Some research suggests yes.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/12/health/coronavirus-mutations-scripps-gene/index.html
Viral mutations are a given. It’s just a matter of seeing which way it trends. History shows many of them mutate toward less infections states of being. Too early to be sure, for sure. Continuing maximum caution and careful proceeding should be practiced.
On the possible mutation of the virus, I’m skeptical but certainly open to the idea. Why skeptical? Well, it’s truly ravaging Latin America right now (see the video I sent in yesterday’s post – Brazil in particular is being hit very hard, hundreds of healthcare workers have died and a relatively young population is suffering badly), as it did Europe and the U.S. The U.S. is seeing a decreasing death rate, but still has close to 1,000 deaths every day.
Could it be, however, that once a virus settles into a place, a region, a country, it mutates to “survive:” Continues to be contagious but less lethal. Perhaps? The evidence sort of points in that direction, which would suggest the first wave of the virus is the most lethal strain, then the weaker ones take over. Maybe. I’m not an epidemiologist, so I have no idea.
My latest: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2020/06/13/report-suggests-some-mildly-symptomatic-covid-19-patients-endure-serious-long-term-effects/#79f2a985979a
As an undergraduate, I went to Clarkson University (then College). They are having weekly webinars by faculty members related to the virus. The one about evolution gave this link:
https://nextstrain.org/
If nothing else, it gives you an idea of the effort that is going into mapping and tracing the every-changing genome.
There was another webinar titled “Virus Transmission Via Speech.” I may never leave the house again!
I heard on the radio this morning that the virus could transfer from the human brain spreading on to other cells within the body.
Seems awfully ludicrous to me that the virus actually gets to the brain cells.
I also thought I heard that Houston may have to shut down again.
Philip your right there is talk of a possible shut down in Houston as COVID cases have been spiking there.
Article on a possible lockdown for Houston, TX
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/houston-lockdown-again-coronavirus-covid-19-texas/
Thank you. It will be a test to see how well it goes.
Longer-term mutations toward less deadly makes perfect sense. If I virus kills off all its potential hosts, then it kills itself off in the process. It may never reach that point, but the mutation would be a preventative measure to that end, and a survival tactic.
It does and how I’d normally think, but it is my understanding that is not the typical progression of a pandemic. Then nothing is typical about this hence the name novel I guess
Yes. We can go by past viruses as a guide, but we have to keep our eyes open to anything new.
Absolutely. Hence novel. New territory here
I agree with the above mutation discussion and will add that the treatment for the original virus can be just as effective against the mutated virus. Sometimes I think the general public hears the word mutation and thinks of a green 3 headed virus monster running uncontrollably.
How did you guess?
Yes, the general mentality is to assume the worst, which is OK in some cases, but not most of the time. Realistic views are always best. I always approach things that way.
C-19 for 6-14 is up…