Join @MoNscience for our next #COVID19 Q&A today at 1pm ET. Leave your questions below and stay tuned for answers on.natgeo.com/3iWDXYX
That’s an interesting question—and one that’s created some public confusion.
As I hinted in a recent story, pandemic viruses tend to burn through humans like a forest "
As I hinted in a recent story, pandemic viruses tend to burn through humans like a forest "
SARS-CoV-2 is new, and our bodies will take time to adjust/develop immunity on.natgeo.com/2W6BgKy
Based on its behavior so far, the coronavirus will keep spreading until 60-70% of the human population becomes immune, either through natural infection or a vaccine. In other words, we need herd immunity.
Achieving herd immunity through natural infection would be devastating, given.... on.natgeo.com/2Cpeoyy 
There is a bit of misinfo going around that the coronavirus will weaken over time.
No one knows for sure if that's true, as UW biologist @CT_Bergstrom has explained
No one knows for sure if that's true, as UW biologist @CT_Bergstrom has explained
I suspect that this misinterpretation comes from a misread of coronavirus evolution. It's thought that cold-causing coronaviruses began infecting humans roughly 800 years ago.... cell.com/trends/microbi…
...and some scientists wonder if those cold-causing coronaviruses were more potent back then and caused ancient pandemics.
But that's just speculation. SARS-CoV-2 is here for a while.
But that's just speculation. SARS-CoV-2 is here for a while.
Hmm, let's start by dispelling an oversimplification:
Immunity against viruses involves more than just antibodies. Antibodies are just one part of our body's arsenal, and we're seeing encouraging signs about other critical weapons: sciencemag.org/news/2020/05/t…
Immunity against viruses involves more than just antibodies. Antibodies are just one part of our body's arsenal, and we're seeing encouraging signs about other critical weapons: sciencemag.org/news/2020/05/t…
As we've covered: These other weapons could play a crucial role for one of the leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates. on.natgeo.com/2Cpz4GI
That said, a small study reported recently that COVID-19 antibodies started fading after 2-3 months.
But even low amounts of antibodies can still be neutralizing, so I wouldn't give up on herd immunity yet. nytimes.com/2020/06/18/hea…
But even low amounts of antibodies can still be neutralizing, so I wouldn't give up on herd immunity yet. nytimes.com/2020/06/18/hea…
Great question! I would start by peeping this new @NatGeo story by @heroinebook
😷😷😷
It dives into the latest developments with airborne transmission and much more: on.natgeo.com/300mIgj
😷😷😷
It dives into the latest developments with airborne transmission and much more: on.natgeo.com/300mIgj
How long is coronavirus airborne? Hard to say right now
One study showed coronavirus-filled mist can linger for up to 16 hours. But this mist was created artificially, so it doesn't say much about what happens with actual coughs/sneezes wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26…
One study showed coronavirus-filled mist can linger for up to 16 hours. But this mist was created artificially, so it doesn't say much about what happens with actual coughs/sneezes wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26…
As @Sarah_Gibbens covered for us, a sneeze can expel respiratory droplets of various sizes 23 to 27 feet from a nose. on.natgeo.com/3elMOzE
This week, the World Health Organization reviewed all the evidence on airborne transmission and essentially came back with the same recommendation as before. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ on.natgeo.com/300mIgj
Nope. Here's why...
March 26: "The ability to reveal the virus’s evolutionary history helped researchers quickly debunk conspiracy theories, such as the one that SARS-CoV-2 was secretly manufactured in a lab to be used as a bioweapon." by @SarahE_Richards on.natgeo.com/38RhRlN
May 4: "A number of very qualified evolutionary biologists have said that everything about the stepwise evolution over time strongly indicates that it evolved in nature and then jumped species." by me and @vmjaggard99 on.natgeo.com/3fiU7cM
May 4: "The virus’s spike has a hinge-like structure, allowing the spike to change shape as the virus enters the host cell...New research suggests that the hinge loses its unique characteristics when cultured in a lab." fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-s… by @PhilipJKiefer
This last point also counters the idea that the coronavirus was collected in nature, brought to a lab, and accidentally released.
Genetics, for the win!
Genetics, for the win!
The internet makes it harder to perceive the suffering of others. We have never been more connected, and yet we struggle to conceive of the reality beyond our screens.
So, I recommend that people try to consume culture-centered coverage of COVID-19 on a regular basis such as...
"These aren’t just numbers; they’re lives. People are losing loved ones to a virus that’s hitting communities of color harder." by Sebastián Hidalgo and @NinaStrochlic on.natgeo.com/2OfKqjw
"Life here is very hands on, very close. People live crammed together and are always mingling. They swap or share food, drink, drugs, alcohol, money." by Michael Christopher Brown and @NinaStrochlic on.natgeo.com/3eePvD3
"For all, it has challenged how they identify and express themselves. But this city has been forged by challenge for hundreds of years." by @cabrasted and @visionsandverbs on.natgeo.com/2DwopuD
You can find more of those dispatches here: on.natgeo.com/2ANMNqD
The cases aren't being exaggerated. We're in real trouble here. There is still time to turn the tide, but only if we work together. on.natgeo.com/2BWzuVa
That's all for now. Thanks for joining us. Stay safe, stay vigilant!
ICYMI: Today, I spoke with @WNYC's Science Friday (@SciFri) about airborne coronavirus. You can listen to the full episode below sciencefriday.com/segments/coron…
ICYMI: Today, I spoke with @WNYC's Science Friday (@SciFri) about airborne coronavirus. You can listen to the full episode below sciencefriday.com/segments/coron…
