Thread by @Raf_Epstein

Things I learned #COVID

“Coronaviruses have been co-evolving with bats for the entire span of human civilization, and possibly much longer.. turning their little bodies into virus blenders.”

“This process happens without making bats sick—(maybe because) bats fly.” 1/9

All from this excellent article
2/9 by the stellar @carolynkor

google.com.au/amp/s/www.newy…

“(Flying) takes a severe toll, such that their immune systems have evolved a better way to repair cell damage and to fight off viruses without provoking further inflammation.” 3/9

“Since Jan, nearly 800 #covid papers have been posted on a preprint server for studies not yet peer-reviewed. More than 1000 genome sequences, from diff #covid cases have been shared in public databases.” 4/9

“In 2003, a conference for coronaviruses was nearly cancelled, due to lack of interest. Then SARS emerged. The conference sold out.”
5/9

“common-cold coronas infect the upper respiratory tract (nose & throat).. highly contagious. SARS primarily infects the lower respiratory (the lungs)

#covid is like a monstrous mutant hybrid of all that came before .. infect & replicate all our airways. “That’s why it’s so bad”

#covid very good at not mutating when it doesn’t need to

“This is not a virus that is rapidly adapting. It’s like the best car in the Indy 500. It’s out in front and there is no obstacle in its path. So there is no benefit to changing that car.” 7/9

“A virus replicates in order to shed from its host—through mucus, snot, phlegm, & breath—as soon as possible, in great quantities, so that it can keep spreading. This coronavirus happens to be a brilliant shedder.”

pple with mild symptoms, are 55% as contagious as severe cases”

“Another study found that more severe hospitalisation patients, shed virus from their respiratory tracts for as long as 37 days.”

“The virus is our teacher.” ‘It has spent thousands of years evolving to get where it is. We’re now just rushing to catch up.’ 9/9