Here’s a few different thoughts. How about we recognize that viruses are an integral part of nature, and that scientifically we have studied less than 1% of their species.
There is a virobiome living in our gut, with over a thousand different varieties of beneficial viruses. We also have a human virome with a trillion viruses living throughout our body, regulating our most vital functions. Viruses update and upgrade our immune systems, and our DNA by bringing in information about the environment.
Viruses are credited as the main drivers of evolution on the planet! They regulate bacteria in the oceans, keep us from getting diseases and are more helpful to us than antibiotics. As a matter of fact, we can only live a day or two without them. Instead of thinking of viruses as Darth Vaders of microbiology, we can instead think of them as little Jedi-knights.
Yes, there are bad actors like COVID-19. But good viruses far outweigh them. The biggest overlooked factor in coronavirus deaths is the poor health of Americans. Our health care system is rated 72nd in the world by the World Health Organization and the health of Americans, a dismal 37th. This has been the case for 50 years. So is it that COVID-19 is such a bad actor, or is it that we are in such bad health? Obesity, diabetes and chronic disease affect half our population. Could it be that Americans simply can’t handle an upgrade from this virus?
James Forleo
Durango
