The coronavirus

[46zilzal]

Viruses, because they are NOT DEFINED as life (they cannot replicate themselves) do not require the same metabolism as a living bacterium: no need of nutrition, a specific range of temperature, humidity etc.

They are nothing more than DNA, or in some lesser cases RNA, wrapped in a very stable protein capsule. Heat and pressure of an autoclave can destroy the capsule and thus the threat, but the vast majority of viruses dispersed into our environment stay stable and potentially active much longer than bacteria.

The greatest consideration for transmission is how the virus typically invades. Droplet spread through respiratory pathways are the most dangerous. if a virus that normally spreads only through direct contact mutates to an airborne one, then we are in real trouble

[davew]

My right wing propaganda sources are again mentioning the source of the virus could be the biowarfare lab that is 3 blocks from the market being accused.

Some are saying the virus could even be transferred across the Pacific Ocean in the air inside bubble wrap. I have no idea about that, but will restrict my purchases of stuff from Asia.

[PaceAdvantage]

The hysteria over this thing is amazing to watch.

You'd think this was HIV/AIDS back in the 80s (then multiply that by 10), the way people are jumping out of windows in panic mode over this thing, which when you look at it, is nothing more than a powerful flu virus.

Comparison with other viruses
For comparison, the case fatality rate with seasonal flu in the United States is less than 0.1% (1 death per every 1,000 cases).

Mortality rate for SARS was 10%, and for MERS 34%.

Virus Death Rate
Wuhan Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
2%*
SARS
9.6%
MERS
34%
Swine Flu
0.02%

*estimate

Funny thing with the flu virus death rate (.1%). MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of people around the globe get the flu each year. And that means thousands and tens of thousands die each year from the good ol regular flu.

Now we have this SUPER SCARY corona virus (BOO!). Most of the sick are in this place in China that who knows what the overall quality of life was before the virus outbreak and what the health care situation is over there....thus when people start dying at the 2% rate, PANIC ENSUES.

And then people probably start making money off of it, so MORE PANIC must ensue...lol...just like with all these other "OUTBREAKS" over the years, as detailed above....

Anyhoo....I hear over 600 people on that cruise ship caught the virus? And two have died...a couple in their 80s with UNDERLYING HEALTH issues...

Human beings have always, and will always be played for fools by those who can.

[PaceAdvantage]

Even I see that I failed to get my point across in that barely readable post above.

My point was this.

MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS get the regular flu each year, and LOTS of people die from it.

We only have 75,000 cases of Coronavirus confirmed? And a 2% estimated death rate?

What happens if MILLIONS upon MILLIONS came down with Coronavirus. Statistics would tell you the death rate could go way up, stay the same, or it could go WAY DOWN given the current sample size is TINY relative to good ol' flu virus statistics.

Combine that with the unknowns associated with China in terms of the general well being of people pre-infection and the health care available post-infection (China being where the VAST MAJORITY of cases have appeared thus far)...and you are now open to a HUGE BATCH of built-in STATISTICAL ERRORS that have everyone jumping to conclusions and in a panic.

This post may not be more comprehensible than my last one, but I think some might start getting my point.

[Suff]

Every country & airline has stopped travel.

KIA halted production because it cannot get parts.


There's a very long list of non-fool global reactions to whatever it is, was or will be.

[JustRalph]

Good stuff PA

[Suff]

heard today, in support of your hysteria theory.

When you get a package, and its Made-In-China, don't pop the bubble wrap because that's China Air.

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally Posted by Suff

Every country & airline has stopped travel.

KIA halted production because it cannot get parts.


There's a very long list of non-fool global reactions to whatever it is, was or will be.

Amazing, isn't it?

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally Posted by Suff

heard today, in support of your hysteria theory.

When you get a package, and its Made-In-China, don't pop the bubble wrap because that's China Air.

Believe me, I thought of this first (I am the conspiracy KING, remember?)

Somebody stole that idea out of my head.

[Suff]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

Amazing, isn't it?

Alarming.

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally Posted by Suff

Alarming.

I see nothing to get alarmed about as of yet, other than humankind's never-ending ability to be thoroughly bamboozled.

In fact, the more I think about what I posted above, the more insightful I believe it to be...hella-more insightful than all this other nonsense being thrown around about this virus.

I'll let you know when I'm alarmed.

[Suff]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

I see nothing to get alarmed about as of yet, .

The facts are alarming. I hope it's nothing. I suspect it's something though. The SARS and Mersa had the same MO. They killed the elderly and infants quickly.


The Data is not good.

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally Posted by Suff

They killed the elderly and infants quickly.

Doesn't the flu do that as well?

I know, we have "flu shots" for that...

[davew]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

Doesn't the flu do that as well?

I know, we have "flu shots" for that...

I hope in 6 months you are correct ... how many million would have to be dead before you got concerned?

[46zilzal]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

The hysteria over this thing is amazing to watch.

I am reminded as regards the summer before the pandemic of 1918.

To maintain morale, wartime censors minimized early reports of illness and mortality in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. Papers were free to report the epidemic's effects in neutral Spain (such as the grave illness of King Alfonso XIII).These stories created a false impression of Spain as especially hard hit, thereby giving rise to the pandemic's nickname, "Spanish flu".

Viruses can, and usually DO, mutate to different vectors we can never truly predict.

In infectious disease, it is ALWAYS better safe than sorry.