There are signs this novel coronavirus plague originated in wild animals, moved to another vector from which it managed to cross unchecked into humans. Those details are still uncertain, but it is a fact that in just 4 months, the virus escaped from China and swept unchecked around the world, that facial masks, sanitising and social distancing are essential behavioural adaptations to ensure survival of the human race until a vaccine is developed or effective treatments become available. Many normal human activities such as visiting friends, attending weddings, graduations or funerals, going shopping, banking, schooling, medical consultations, travel, attending a concert or movie, dining out, and many more, have been changed for ever – and there will be no going back to normal as we learn to live with this new virus in the world. There are recent reports of a few positive test results from domestic pets, plus the appearance of a new more virulent mutation of the virus.
I’ve commented to several people who I think can handle the concept, that this novel coronavirus pandemic is a fascinating event in the natural history of the world. It is all being studied from so many points of view, but I didn’t consider that a paleontologist might have an interesting opinion on this modern event by referring back to civilisation-over-turning events reflected in the recent fossil record. But, this morning I came across a fascinating BBC Mundo interview with a Spanish paleontologist, Juan Luis Arsuaga which I strongly recommend reading. Although it is a bit lengthy, many of us do have more reading time these days. For the uninitiated, paleontology is the study ancient life form as present in the fossil record of rocks up to about 11,000+ years ago. The always interesting wikipedia gives what I think is this key point: “Paleontology lies on the border between biology and geology …”
Among the many scientists studying the pandemic are a huge range of doctors of course – cardiologists and neurologists; renal, pulmonary and vascular specialists, plus specialised ICU nurses and technicians are giving assistance to the infected and dying. Epidemiologists, geneticists, virologists are issuing advice on how to avoid contracting the infection, and being consulted by governments and media. Some researchers are frantically searching for drug treatments, while others engage in the worldwide race to find and prove safe and effective vaccines. Governments, politicians and economists are focused on the effects of the pandemic on society and development of policy and strategy to help their communities cope with the massive effects. Industries like the travel, leisure and entertainment have either been knocked for six, while other industries have been suddenly presented with manufacturing opportunities they never anticipated for protective and monitoring equipment.
I’ve also fecetiously commented at times that a good pandemic, like the Great Plague that swept across the known world in the 1660’s, would solve the population problems of the world, give it a good cleanout so to speak, but of course I never actually envisaged finding myself in the middle of one.! So far Covid-19 has already caused nearly 4M cases from which over 1/4M deaths have resulted. Recovery is long and slow, often leaving physical damage to internal organs and systems.