”Humankind
is the only virus cursed to live with the horrifying knowledge of its host's
fragile mortality.”
-Henry
Hart
(Kingsman-The
secret service)
Corona
virus or COVID-19, the potentially deadly virus that emerged from a fish market
in Wuhan china, now poses a serious threat to vulnerable population. It also
poses a challenge to the global economy on par with financial crisis that
spread slightly more than a decade earlier. In the worst case scenario, a broad
global growth down to 1.5% in 2020. Around the world, desperate efforts are
underway to contain the spread of what has become a profoundly disruptive
outbreak
So
coming back to main question is human activity actually driven the outbreak?
Nature
is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history and its impact
will see extinction of one million out of eight million total estimated number
of animal and plant species on earth, many within decades, unless their
habitats are restored. Blaming “human activities’ for such
threat, the body comprising 130 member countries including India, noted how the
people have already severely altered 75% of land surface, 40% of marine
environments and 50% of inland waterways, causing damage on natural world
through massive urbanisation, deforestation and agricultural intensification.
Though
these events as lead to usage of most the resources of the world, we humans
under the impression that we are the superior species on the planet. Pandemic
such as COVID-19 are one of those examples where mankind can learn from his
mistakes. So what led the virus attach a human gene to itself?
Viruses
are a key part of what make us human, In addition to genes, the human genome
contains countless bits and pieces of viral genetic material — remnants from
when our ancestors were exposed to various viruses in the past. A
virus might need one kind of genetic change to gain the ability to latch onto
cells in the human respiratory system, for example. Some other change might be
required so that it becomes adept at making copies of itself inside human
cells. Still another mutation might improve its ability to spread from human to
human.
Such
changes might be more likely in an environment with multiple kinds of animals,
allowing for the wholesale swapping of genetic material. Across
the corners of the internet, you may find speculation about how the coronavirus
will lead to an apocalyptic breakdown of civilization. On the opposite end, you
will hear assurances that everything’s pretty much going to be fine except for,
perhaps, an economic downturn and disruption to our normal routines. While it’s
important to be aware of the range of possibilities, it’s also important to
recognize that we are still very far from major civilizational collapse, but
not immune to more specific crises.
This
is not to be sanguine about the risks. One thing that ordinary citizens,
policymakers and business leaders need to remember is the fragility of our tightly-coupled
social systems and supply chains. In the coming months, this systemic fragility
will be increasingly visible, and will come to define the scope for societal
decision-making in an even bigger way than the virus itself.
So
how is climate change affected by all this?
In
China – the source of the disease and the world’s largest carbon emitter – the
actions taken by authorities have inadvertently demonstrated that hefty 25%
carbon dioxide cuts can bring less traffic and cleaner air with only a small
reduction in economic growth, If this trend continues, analysts
say it is possible this will lead to the first fall in global emissions since
the 2008-09 financial crisis. Even a slowdown in CO2 could buy time for climate
action and, more importantly. Pollution monitoring satellites from
NASA and the European Space Agency have detected significant decreases of
nitrogen dioxide over China since Jan. 1, following the outbreak of the virus
-- evidence that the noxious gas being emitted by motor vehicles, power plants
and industrial facilities has nearly come to a complete stop.
At
the brink of collapse of humanity, we humans still misuse the resources.
Fewer
forests means humans are staying nearer to forests than before, and they now
have more chances of exposure to bats and their eating and breeding places.
Have
you seen a girl throwing stones at a beehive? Stoning sends the bees into a
panic. They start flying aimlessly for survival. In the process, they attack
anyone coming their way. They sting. But stinging is a suicide mission for
bees. Honeybees die after stinging.
Bats
are the new bees. Rapid urbanisation is the girl throwing stones. Frequent
viral outbreaks are the stings that humans are finding difficult to neutralise.
When
a bat sits on a tree branch to nibble at a fruit or enters an animal shed to
eat insects, it leaves traces of his body fluid and genetic material there.
When humans come in contact with such fruits, trees, animals or sheds, they
become unsuspecting victims of one of the deadly viruses that bats might have
left in those places. In the current coronavirus outbreak,
the Covid-19 strain is very similar to those found in bats. Most researchers
point to its transition to humans through an animal such as pig. At least one
researcher pointed to snakes, for which bats are food.
These
are natural food chain among animals. Earlier, these animals were not under as
much stress as they are now due to loss of their natural habitat. Under duress,
these animals lose what they have. Bats have too many viruses for which humans
have no immunity, and which now causing a rapid destruction worldwide. As said
earlier, Humans are the only species which can bring apocalypse to themselves
put entire living creatures at the brink of an end.
How
can we protect ourselves from the virus?
The CDC recommends the
following preventive actions:
1. Wash hands with soap and
water for at least 20 seconds. If soap isn’t available, use a hand sanitizer
with at least 60 percent alcohol.
2. Stay home if you’re sick
3. Avoid touching nose,
eyes, and mouth. Use a tissue to cover a cough or sneeze, then dispose of it in
the trash
4. Use a household wipe or
spray to disinfect doorknobs, light switches, desks, keyboards, sinks, toilets,
cell phones, and other objects and surfaces that are frequently touched
5. If you must touch
something, use a tissue or sleeve to protect your hand.
6. Make sure you have a
plan in case you get sick that includes a list of friends, neighbours, or
community health care workers who can help.
“We
generally do not recommend the use of masks for the general public”
As the virus is declared a pandemic by WHO, and the cure is
yet to be found, we should remain vigilant and cautious about protecting
ourselves and report to the doctors immediately if you are sick.
By
Siddarth D
Jain University
