Corona Virus; Has Human activity driven the outbreak?

”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