Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => COVID-19 => Topic started by: Adam Murphy on 17/12/2020 14:14:34

Title: Could COVID beat us?
Post by: Adam Murphy on 17/12/2020 14:14:34

Emma got in touch to ask, on behalf of a 9-year old:

"Is there a way coronavirus can beat us?"

Any words of wisdom?

Title: Re: Could COVID beat us?
Post by: alancalverd on 17/12/2020 14:25:20

It isn't interested in "beating" anyone - it just looks for a home where it can reproduce. It is successful because it is very infectious, doesn't always kill its host, and unusually doesn't produce significant symptoms early on, when it is easily transmitted to a new host.   

The fact that various governments have put politics before public safety is another matter. We can look forward to having a very large number of people with longterm disabilities in the UK by next summer. No fault of the virus, which is just doing its job. All blame to the government for not doing its job, and even encouraging the virus to spread.