Why this virus is so deadly

[phideaux]

From an immunologist at Johns Hopkins University...

Feeling confused as to why Coronavirus is a bigger deal than Seasonal flu? Here it is in a nutshell. I hope this helps. Feel free to share this to others who don’t understand...

It has to do with RNA sequencing.... I.e. genetics.

Seasonal flu is an “all human virus”. The DNA/RNA chains that make up the virus are recognized by the human immune system. This means that your body has some immunity to it before it comes around each year... you get immunity two ways...through exposure to a virus, or by getting a flu shot.

Novel viruses, come from ANIMALS....the WHO (World Health Organization) tracks novel viruses in animals, (sometimes for years watching for mutations). Usually these viruses only transfer from animal to animal (pigs in the case of H1N1) (birds in the case of the Spanish flu). But once one of these animal viruses mutates, and starts to transfer from animals to humans... then it’s a problem. Why? Because we have no natural or acquired immunity. The RNA sequencing of the genes inside the virus isn’t human, and the human immune system doesn’t recognize it so, we can’t fight it off.

Now sometimes, the mutation only allows transfer from animal to human. For years it’s only transmission is from an infected animal to a human, before it finally mutates so that it can now transfer human to human. Once that happens, we have a new contagion phase. And depending on the fashion of this new mutation, that’s what decides how contagious, or how deadly it’s gonna be.

H1N1 was deadly, but it did not mutate in a way that was as deadly as the Spanish flu. It’s RNA was slower to mutate and it attacked its host differently too.

Fast forward.

Now, here comes this Coronavirus... it existed in animals only, for nobody knows how long...but one day, at an animal market, in Wuhan China in December 2019, it mutated and made the jump from ANIMAL TO PEOPLE. At first, only animals could give it to a person... But here is the scary part.... in just TWO WEEKS it mutated AGAIN and gained the ability to jump from human to human. Scientists call this quick ability, “slippery”

This Coronavirus, not being in any form a “human” virus (whereas we would all have some natural or acquired immunity), took off like a rocket!! And this was because humans have no known immunity...doctors have no known medicines for it.

And it just so happens that this particular mutated animal virus, changed itself in such a way that it causes great damage to human lungs.

That’s why Coronavirus is different from seasonal flu, or H1N1 or any other type of influenza.... this one is slippery AF. And it’s a lung eater...And, it’s already mutated AGAIN, so that we now have two strains to deal with, strain s, and strain L....which makes it twice as hard to develop a vaccine.

We really have no tools in our shed, with this. History has shown that fast and immediate closings of public places has helped in the past pandemics. Philadelphia and Baltimore were reluctant to close events in 1918 and they were the hardest hit in the US during the Spanish Flu.

Factoid: Henry VIII stayed in his room and allowed no one near him, till the Black Plague passed...(honestly...I understand him so much better now). Just like us, he had no tools in his shed, except social isolation...

And let me end by saying....right now it’s hitting older folks harder... but this genome is so slippery...if it mutates again (and it will). Who is to say, what it will do next.

Be smart folks... acting like you’re unafraid is so not sexy right now, and frankly stupid and selfish.

#flattenthecurve. Stay home folks... and share this to those that just are not catching on.

FEEL FREE TO copy and paste.


Jim

 

[Weedygarden]

I cannot provide the source of this information, but I saw that the virus was first seen in October. It wasn't seen for how quickly it would spread and how dangerous it was because of the changes it can make.

Edit, it makes no difference anyway. It is what it is and will do what it will do.

 

[Sentry18]

I don't know if any of that is true or not, but I tried to find its origins or at least verify that it actually came from Johns Hopkins. Unfortunately it only seems to exist on social media sites and reddit which does not bode well to its scientific credibility. Even if the common sense portions still hold true.

 

[Meerkat]

I don't know if any of that is true or not, but I tried to find its origins or at least verify that it actually came from Johns Hopkins. Unfortunately it only seems to exist on social media sites and reddit which does not bode well to its scientific credibility. Even if the common sense portions still hold true.

Sentry you just have one question to ask yourself,imo. Is it worth the irsk to gamble , high stakes if you lose.
I too hope its not as bad as they are telling us but I also stay on safe side since I don't know who to beleive.

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

All you need to look at is the numbers posted by John's Hopkins on their live updates.

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

So as of now.........

250,956 total cases
9,325 deaths
87,284 recovered.

That means out of 250k+ cases about 91k have been resolved either way. Leaving about 160k still sick and waiting to be decided.

Out of the 91k+ cases that have been decided 9325 have died. That's about 10%. A much higher number of covid cases need hospitalization than with other flu strains. We are doubling in cases about every 3 days in the US. Even low cautious numbers show our hospital capabilities being outpaced quickly.

You are free to not take this seriously if you like. I hope folks who choose not to take it seriously are proven right. But the math speaks for itself.

 

[havasu]

,,,or is it fabricated to control us?

 

[Sentry18]

You are free to not take this seriously if you like. I hope folks who choose not to take it seriously are proven right. But the math speaks for itself.

Johns Hopkins is collecting data from the Chinese gov't and other unreliable sources under good faith that they are accurately reporting. You can put your faith and trust in the Chinese & Italian governments if you want to, but math based on bad numbers only spreads misinformation.

And I chuckle every time I call for calm minds and factual data to be our guide and it is met with at least implications that I am not taking this seriously (not calling you specifically CBL). As in all matters, I let faith and facts power my rational analysis. Not things I find on the internet from sources who may or may not profit from the panic.

 

[Sentry18]

Sentry you just have one question to ask yourself,imo

I do only have one question to ask myself... is Jesus my protector. And the answer is yes He is. I am taking every precaution I can, but I don't have the luxury of self isolation or social distancing. I have put in 12+ hours of patrol this week as we saturate the area and that number will go up as time goes on. If someone calls 911, I will be going regardless of COVID-19. And that may well result in my living in my office while my family has to be isolated from me. Although the lovely Mrs. Sentry18 said last week "If you are exposed, just come home anyway. We will ride it out as a family."

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

Johns Hopkins is collecting data from the Chinese gov't and other unreliable sources under good faith that they are accurately reporting. You can put your faith and trust in the Chinese & Italian governments if you want to, but math based on bad numbers only spreads misinformation.

And I chuckle every time I call for calm minds and factual data to be our guide and it is met with at least implications that I am not taking this seriously (not calling you specifically CBL). As in all matters, I let faith and facts power my rational analysis. Not things I find on the internet from sources who may or may not profit from the panic.

We will see. If the numbers from John's Hopkins concerning Chins are no good just look at the data from other countries or just US. You wont get a different story.

 

[havasu]

How ironic that the same day that Trump called the virus "The China Virus", China now claimed the virus is gone, no reported illnesses, no deaths, and everyone is fine. From the country where They probably executed the doctor for divulging the initial truth, if you believe this, I got some ocean front property for sale to you in Arizona.

 

[Sentry18]

We will see. If the numbers from John's Hopkins concerning Chins are no good just look at the data from other countries or just US. You wont get a different story.

The numbers are wildly different from EVERY country, the same way the numbers from the infected cruise ships don't match the numbers coming out of Washington state. There are so many variables, unknowns, and assumptions no one could possibly even do the math. That's the only real story.

 

[Meerkat]

I do only have one question to ask myself... is Jesus my protector. And the answer is yes He is. I am taking every precaution I can, but I don't have the luxury of self isolation or social distancing. I have put in 12+ hours of patrol this week as we saturate the area and that number will go up as time goes on. If someone calls 911, I will be going regardless of COVID-19. And that may well result in my living in my office while my family has to be isolated from me. Although the lovely Mrs. Sentry18 said last week "If you are exposed, just come home anyway. We will ride it out as a family."

You are correct and I do understqand your siruation and thats why I do hope you stay as safe as you can. Lets not forget the New Testament lso tells us to ' watch and pray for things oming on the earth, " I think it says 'watch
' 44 times in N.T..
So we are o nthe same side here and hops you and yours who sacrifice so much for the rest of us stay safe. .I also keep Dr.Pepper in thoughts nd prayers too. And all our protectors and caaregivers [ well many doctors anyway] .

 

[snappy1]

https://drlindseyberkson.com/coronavirus-update-integrative-natural-answers/
Not sure if this has been posted and it is a little long to read but well worth it to me! Lots of natural treatment ideas (vitamins and such) that I can implement.

I don't know how to make the article expand like Sentry does, but if anyone can, please feel free

 

[Sentry18]

https://drlindseyberkson.com/coronavirus-update-integrative-natural-answers/
Not sure if this has been posted and it is a little long to read but well worth it to me! Lots of natural treatment ideas (vitamins and such) that I can implement.

I don't know how to make the article expand like Sentry does, but if anyone can, please feel free

I would but that is a LOOOOONG article. People are better off clicking the link.

 

[tazo2503]

How ironic that the same day that Trump called the virus "The China Virus", China now claimed the virus is gone, no reported illnesses, no deaths, and everyone is fine. From the country where They probably executed the doctor for divulging the initial truth, if you believe this, I got some ocean front property for sale to you in Arizona.

I’d say hang on to it havvy. At the rate things are going out there on your coast, that’ll be prime ocean front real estate before you know it...

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

The numbers are wildly different from EVERY country, the same way the numbers from the infected cruise ships don't match the numbers coming out of Washington state. There are so many variables, unknowns, and assumptions no one could possibly even do the math. That's the only real story.

Ok. You may not trust the numbers that are painting a bad picture but are you seeing any numbers anywhere that are painting a good picture? Or are you just trusting your opinion over the available information to lead you to believe this may not be as bad an issue as the numbers are suggesting? I guess my question is , what info are you using to form your opinion?

 

[Caribou]

I don't trust any numbers coming from official sources. The dead bodies littering the hospital floor is a bad indicator. A recent report of ONE Italian mortuary that normally has about a hundred burials per month having over 600 in the first 18 days of March. One crematory in Wuhan reporting 110+ cremations pre day when talking to an undercover reporter posing as a government agent.

I don't believe that President Trump wants to crash our economy. What he is doing will cause major damage to our economy. I see three options. I don't know him as well as I expect. He's getting bad advice. This is the best bad option available. I am leaning for the third.

We're retired with underlying health conditions. Bugging in is a viable option. If unnecessary there is no harm, to us. If we ignore the threat and we are wrong we wind up at the crematory.

We are prepped for this. There are things I'd like to have but that is true every day of my life. We're in good shape. If nothing else this will be a good test and and a future tool to get the wife more in tune with prepping.

 

[Meerkat]

Since I don't trust any of them or any news source that much either,I don't know what or who 'pun intended' is ruling much less about this new Covid19 thing.

 

[Sentry18]

Ok. You may not trust the numbers that are painting a bad picture but are you seeing any numbers anywhere that are painting a good picture? Or are you just trusting your opinion over the available information to lead you to believe this may not be as bad an issue as the numbers are suggesting? I guess my question is , what info are you using to form your opinion?

I see you limited the possibilities to two very narrow options, neither of which pertain to me.

I trust what I can actually see, hear, feel, and predict with a reasonable level of certainty. I look out the window and I don't see any bodies stacked in the streets, I am not seeing hospitals in the Midwest that are over-flowing, the places that appear to be suffering the most have 2nd world socialized health care at best, the state health department (people I actually know) have reported that vast majority of people in the Midwest being tested for COVID-19 are getting negative results, they have also reported that the only people dying in the Midwest are known to have compromised immune systems, all my peers in neighboring states are seeing and hearing the same things I am seeing and hearing, I know more people are dying in the US every day from opioids than have died total from coronavirus, the people I see who are panicking are being driven by all of the media fear mongering and not science or reality, I know liberal states are freaking out and they are wrong/overreact almost 100% of the time, I know that I sit in meetings almost every day with experts in public health - virology - infectious diseases and they aren't worried, I know that this is the 15th+ time in my adult life that something was been hyped as the death of us all, I know a lot of people in power worldwide are getting VERY VERY wealthy off of the coronavirus, and I know politicians are using this to their advantage.

When all or even most of that changes I will reevaluate my position.

 

[tazo2503]

+1 on that. I live in South Florida where there have been more confirmed cases than the entire Midwest combined pretty much. Most public spaces here are well on their way to being shut down entirely to include Mrs. t2’s job as of earlier this afternoon.
As a South Floridian I’m honestly not at a point of being overly concerned. We’re not being stupid or irresponsible about it, but we’re also not freaking out. Similar to S18, I also have working relationships with individuals at a county level who keep us (at work) informed.
Also like S18, I’ve lived through probably the same 15+ end of the world scenarios. It is what it is. I’ve never been a panic driven individual.

 

[Meerkat]

I see you limited the possibilities to two very narrow options, neither of which pertain to me.

I trust what I can actually see, hear, feel, and predict with a reasonable level of certainty. I look out the window and I don't see any bodies stacked in the streets, I am not seeing hospitals in the Midwest that are over-flowing, the places that appear to be suffering the most have 2nd world socialized health care at best, the state health department (people I actually know) have reported that vast majority of people in the Midwest being tested for COVID-19 are getting negative results, they have also reported that the only people dying in the Midwest are known to have compromised immune systems, all my peers in neighboring states are seeing and hearing the same things I am seeing and hearing, I know more people are dying in the US every day from opioids than have died total from coronavirus, the people I see who are panicking are being driven by all of the media fear mongering and not science or reality, I know liberal states are freaking out and they are wrong/overreact almost 100% of the time, I know that I sit in meetings almost every day with experts in public health - virology - infectious diseases and they aren't worried, I know that this is the 15th+ time in my adult life that something was been hyped as the death of us all, I know a lot of people in power worldwide are getting VERY VERY wealthy off of the coronavirus, and I know politicians are using this to their advantage.

When all or even most of that changes I will reevaluate my position.

EXACTLY! Lots of power mongrals are in like Flint on this thing.
Only problem I have is knowing just how far they will go. And who,why they turned it loose,was it accident or on purpose if it is pandemic virus.Is it real or what?

 

[VThillman]

I am a volunteer for Senior Solutions and Vet-to-Vet. This morning I finished telling the geezers that I visit every week (four of them) that the visits are suspended until the threat ends. I miss them already. All of them (youngest is 78) have "compromised" health. The virus doesn't need to be very deadly.

 

[Caribou]

I see you limited the possibilities to two very narrow options, neither of which pertain to me.

I trust what I can actually see, hear, feel, and predict with a reasonable level of certainty. I look out the window and I don't see any bodies stacked in the streets, I am not seeing hospitals in the Midwest that are over-flowing, the places that appear to be suffering the most have 2nd world socialized health care at best, the state health department (people I actually know) have reported that vast majority of people in the Midwest being tested for COVID-19 are getting negative results, they have also reported that the only people dying in the Midwest are known to have compromised immune systems, all my peers in neighboring states are seeing and hearing the same things I am seeing and hearing, I know more people are dying in the US every day from opioids than have died total from coronavirus, the people I see who are panicking are being driven by all of the media fear mongering and not science or reality, I know liberal states are freaking out and they are wrong/overreact almost 100% of the time, I know that I sit in meetings almost every day with experts in public health - virology - infectious diseases and they aren't worried, I know that this is the 15th+ time in my adult life that something was been hyped as the death of us all, I know a lot of people in power worldwide are getting VERY VERY wealthy off of the coronavirus, and I know politicians are using this to their advantage.

When all or even most of that changes I will reevaluate my position.

I truly hope you are right Sentry. I don't perceive Italy and S. Korea as third world countries. One of my doctors went to S. Korea to get away from barry. She is good. I think we can flatten the curve and save lives.

Reducing my travel outside the home really isn't much of a change in my life. The wife doesn't like it, no bingo and all, but I'm not looking at much difference.

 

[Weedygarden]

How ironic that the same day that Trump called the virus "The China Virus", China now claimed the virus is gone, no reported illnesses, no deaths, and everyone is fine. From the country where They probably executed the doctor for divulging the initial truth, if you believe this, I got some ocean front property for sale to you in Arizona.

Liars, liars, pants on fire!

 

[Sentry18]

I truly hope you are right Sentry. I don't perceive Italy and S. Korea as third world countries. One of my doctors went to S. Korea to get away from barry. She is good. I think we can flatten the curve and save lives.

Reducing my travel outside the home really isn't much of a change in my life. The wife doesn't like it, no bingo and all, but I'm not looking at much difference.

I said China and Italy had 2nd world health care, and that was giving them more credit than they deserve. South Korea has better health care than either of them, but is still nowhere near what we have in the US. Plus South Korea is not doing as badly as China or Italy either (plus throw Iran into that mix).

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

I see you limited the possibilities to two very narrow options, neither of which pertain to me.

I trust what I can actually see, hear, feel, and predict with a reasonable level of certainty. I look out the window and I don't see any bodies stacked in the streets, I am not seeing hospitals in the Midwest that are over-flowing, the places that appear to be suffering the most have 2nd world socialized health care at best, the state health department (people I actually know) have reported that vast majority of people in the Midwest being tested for COVID-19 are getting negative results, they have also reported that the only people dying in the Midwest are known to have compromised immune systems, all my peers in neighboring states are seeing and hearing the same things I am seeing and hearing, I know more people are dying in the US every day from opioids than have died total from coronavirus, the people I see who are panicking are being driven by all of the media fear mongering and not science or reality, I know liberal states are freaking out and they are wrong/overreact almost 100% of the time, I know that I sit in meetings almost every day with experts in public health - virology - infectious diseases and they aren't worried, I know that this is the 15th+ time in my adult life that something was been hyped as the death of us all, I know a lot of people in power worldwide are getting VERY VERY wealthy off of the coronavirus, and I know politicians are using this to their advantage.

When all or even most of that changes I will reevaluate my position.

All of that sounds quite fair. I get it. It wasnt my intention to boil it down to only 2 options. I also believe in a measured response while giving the situation it's due caution. I do believe this issue deserves to be taken seriously however. We should not automatically assume, not that you are, that there is a conspiracy behind every situation. The numbers we do have are damning. Either way it won't be a mystery or a question long. I just know I want as many good people to come out the other side of this physically and financially able. To that end I hope you and yours use an appropriate level of caution when navigating the next couple months. Not panic just reasonable caution and well thought out precaution.

 

[Meerkat]

I am a volunteer for Senior Solutions and Vet-to-Vet. This morning I finished telling the geezers that I visit every week (four of them) that the visits are suspended until the threat ends. I miss them already. All of them (youngest is 78) have "compromised" health. The virus doesn't need to be very deadly.

VThil thats so kind of you. I am sure you miss them too.

 

[phideaux]

I always wear my seat belt when in my car.
Why, precaution against possible accident , that may kill me.

No panic there..just good sense.

I am ,so to speak, keeping my seat belt on for a while..my belt is isolation. Not a big deal for us.

When in doubt ..I'll err on the side of caution.

Jim

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

I said China and Italy had 2nd world health care, and that was giving them more credit than they deserve. South Korea has better health care than either of them, but is still nowhere near what we have in the US. Plus South Korea is not doing as badly as China or Italy either (plus throw Iran into that mix).

This is a fair point as long as our first world medical care can keep up with demand. If there is any accuracy to the numbers we are being given that looks like a long shot.