In my Facebook Messenger this morning from what turned out to be a nurse:
COPIED TO SHARE COMMON SENSE!
...For those of you thinking this is just the flu and no big deal VS all the people that die from the regular flu, and don’t understand how this all started...this is a GREAT explanation and a must read: 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. Stay home folks... and share this to those that just are not catching on.
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. Stay home folks... and share this to those that just are not catching on.
Me
Interesting timing, getting this from you after I went through a physical and metaphysical coronavirus awakening yesterday.
In sum, to borrow from the Borg in Star Trek, Resistance is futile. To borrow from the TAO, Embrace tiger, return to mountain. To borrow from Jesus, resist not one who does evil.
To borrow from my trip to the grocery store yesterday, there was no way for me and the people working there to know if they had the virus unawares and had unwittingly passed it to themselves and to their customers by touching what I had selected and put into my reusable shopping bag, touching money in the cash register to make change for me, sacking what I had purchased in the reusable bag. I cannot stop going to the grocery store from time to time. And to other places. In the end, I will catch it. I can stop using money and pay by debit card.
Read a Bloomberg article yesterday, in which several doctors were quoted, the most poignant comment was, the virus and/or its next generations(s) are not going away, and either a vaccine is developed, or everyone catches the virus. But if it is mutating, how effective is a vaccine?
Have a homeless lady friend in Key West, who is a seer and dreams frequently about things I'm involved in, and sometimes about other things. She dreamed last night of a huge army of foot soldiers I had sent in to battle a huge, amorphous blob, which was absorbing and killing them all. She also said one of the Seven Seals has been opened, and the virus is the result.
Looks to me right now that the way humanity and government and medicine are responding to the virus will destroy the economic and social fabric of human society, and hard to swallow as it is, the safest course is to let the virus run its natural course, endure the human suffering and deaths and lasting lung damage in people it hits hardest, and in that way humanity becomes "vaccinated" and survives. But then, if the virus is mutating, will survivors be "vaccinated" against subsequent mutations?
Which brings the question, is the virus designed by something intelligent? Human scientists? Let's hope not, how truly idiotic that would be. Mother Nature? God? ETs?
Which brings the question, is the virus designed by something intelligent? Human scientists? Let's hope not, how truly idiotic that would be. Mother Nature? God? ETs?
Nurse
Could be! It has a brain. There are several people in my life who would not survive.
Me
There are people in my life, who would not survive. I might be one of them, given I'm 77 and have a history of susceptibility to respiratory tract infections, including numerous pneumonias, and GI tract disturbance, and I know I'm borderline diabetic and my urinary tract is struggling. I considered a while back that the virus poses the greatest lethal threat to medically-impaired and/or older people, who cost society the most money and manpower to take care of. Maybe Charles Darwin would say, Survival of the fittest? Maybe religion would say of the virus' dead, Their time had come?
Countless not of this world experiences have convinced me the soul is eternal, right now my soul using the body I'm in. I will continue after this body dies. And the afterlife is not entirely in sync with how some religions view it. But that doesn't stave off for me, at least, nor I doubt for anyone except perhaps a very high lama or yogi or mystic or shaman, the dread of suffering my lungs being ravaged by the coronavirus, nor the angst of my passing the virus to other people knowingly or unknowingly.
Nurse
I thought about Darwin... I enjoy your insight into various things,not just this. Also I believe in reincarnation but still sad to ‘lose’ a loved one.
Me
Agreed, my first child died of sudden infant death syndrome, it wrecked me. And, it changed the course of my life, which I described in Part Two of A SOUTHERN LAWYER WHO BECAME A MYSTIC, which Amazon has in paperback and kindle, and which can be for free online, perhaps the link below the best way to do that. It's been my observation that older people, and very sick people, are less attached to their remaining on this world, than their younger relatives and friends are attached to them staying here. In a way, I think, it's selfish to try to keep a very sick or very old person alive, so I, we, will feel better.
Key West starving writer: It's more blessed to give than to receive
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Nurse
I’m a nurse and couldn’t agree more! I will read this when time allows. There are many things worse than death- and I have seen them!
Sloan
Amen. I nearly wrote in my last comment that there are far worse things than death.
sloanbashinsky@yahoo.com
6 comments:
Hello again, Sloane.
The thought of catching this thing scares me, and I can get by indefinitely in a 'shelter in place' mode. If I were right now a restaurant or hotel employee,laid off indefinitely, I'd be out of my mind.Even if this thing abates by summer, a long shot at best,hourly workers will be months behind in their rents. They'll need more than a $1200 check just to eat. Much more. Season be then be way over. And: How many of the closed Keys businesses will Ever be able to reopen?
Up north, the Fed has already been buying $70 billion a day in Treasury paper. A DAY. On top of that, there's the 2 Trillion in emergency funding that just got past, but, serious people say the real added number will be moore like 6-7 Trillion by summer's end.Remember that the troubles in 1929 didn't really lighten up until 38-'39 with the run up to WW2.
When next Season rolls around, how many people up north will even have the ability to vacation in Key West, let alone the inclination to spend? 'Pent up demand', my ass.
OK, OK. It's right now all about the physicl threat of death from this disease. Yes. Just wanted to say 'Hi!' after all these years and maybe brighten up your day a little bit. I'm just afraid that it's going to turn into a decade's - long day's journey into night before it's over.'Over', whatever that turns out to mean.
bye,
Paul Williams
Hey, Paul!
Thanks for your uplifting thoughts.
Ways I imagine Trump, Congress, U.S. Treasury, pay for the relief packages: (a) cut other domestic programs; (b) borrow money from American citizens and foreign countries; (c) print more money; (d) wave magic (B.S.) wand; (e) reduce military spending (when pigs fly); (f) sell remaining gold at Fort Knox (sorry, Mr. Goldfinger); (g) sell Hawaii to Japan; (h) sell California to China; (i) sell Alaska back to Russia; (j) sell Texas back to Mexico; (j) sell Florida back to Spain; (k) make all street drugs legal and tax them like booze and tobacco; (l) sell U.S, passports to any white foreigner who wants one; (m) because of unceasing Evangelical MAGA prayers, God rain$ down manna; (n) American Masons secretly conclave and use ancient rituals to turn lead into gold; (o) ...
Got to leave some room for other people's bright ideas ...
For example, read an article before seeing your comment, of Texas Lt. Governor floating old Americans, including himself, are willing to die to save the economy.
https://news.yahoo.com/fox-news-brit-hume-entirely-131616086.html
Key West and the Florida Keys not letting anyone in who does not live there or is bringing groceries, mail, other essential stuff. All bars and restaurants reduced to take-out only. All hotels, motels, etc. closed. I bet booze and street and pharmaceutical drug consumption SPIKES for so long as money to buy same remains, then, I hate to think.
Peace, if such exists in these times.
Sloane imagines: "...(a) cut other domestic programs)..."
Yup.
And neither Key West nor MC has a Fed that will allow them to print all the money needed to cover what will be many severe current monthly deficits. Imagine what city and county income figures are going to look like just for the next 12 months.
They MUST balance their budgets. For them, it's not optional. This thing is not going to be pretty, as time goes by.
On another note. I recently canceled Netflix and got Kindle for the same money. Much better content. Makes day to day 'Social Distancing' far less opprobrious. Worth a look.
Ya gotta feed your head, too, Sloane.
And - it's cheep, cheep, cheep for what they offer.
bye
Good to hear from you again, Paul.
Another big hurricane might have been better? FEMA would have swooped into the Florida Keys. The virus is a bit too all over the place for FEMA to respond?
A good friend in Key West told me on phone last night that many Duval Street businesses now closed for good. Lots of unemployed people will have to move away, he thinks.
The blue paper reported the first two days Monroe County Sheriff deputies checked vehicles at US 1 and Cardsould Road entrances into the Keys, they turned away 2,000 vehicles. Wonder how many $$ turned away?
I read online today that Dr. Fauci said the virus probably will wane during summer and return in the fall. It's not going away. A big hurricane on top of that would whack what's left of any Keys businesses and residents who have to work and pay rent or home mortgages.
Looks to me Trump is wallowing in a giant swamp that causes him to be darn glad for the giant swamp he said he would drain.
I don't have a kindle device, maybe I should get one. However, not ready to give up Netflix world apocalypse serials I haven't yet watched.
Sloane,
You don't need a freestanding device. Kindle is on Amazon's website. You just go there and pay them the $8.99/mo and they load the thing into your computer. They have everything, much of it is free. For a $10,20,30 dollar book, you might pay $.99 to $3.99. The range of their titles is immense. Rememder, Chromedome Jeff, the public benefactor, started Amazon as an online Bookseller par excellene. It shows up in Kindle. If YOU are going to payfor Anything on line, this outlet belongs at the top of your list.
Try it. You don't have to pay anything for all the free titles,
It costs you nothing to check them out.
I've gotten about 30-40 titles over the past few months,most of them I bought. At, say, $15 per copy, used, we're talking maybe $400 in titles I othherwise would have indefinitely postponed reading. And having actually read what I selected, that $400 would have been weel spent. But: I actually dropped about $60. You can't beat this, i think.
bye
Thanks for kindle info. I thought perhaps I also could watch TV, livestream on kindle? I knew it was for reading books, which so far I am not doing, even though I have five sitting right beside me, which I have not yet even opened. Heresy, for a book writer?
My name has no e at the end, just Sloan.
I have a new book on kindle: A SOUTHERN LAWYER WHO BECAME A MYSTIC. However, this post at my blog shows how to read it for free at blogs I created for each part of the book:
https://afoolsworkneverends.blogspot.com/2020/02/starving-writer-its-more-blessed-to.html
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