The availability of gene sequencing gear, and the internet, gives epidemiologists heartburn.
The inevitable "script kiddies" ( punks on the Web that download, modify, and release existing computer viruses for fun ) in the biological world, is a constant theme in articles on bio-engineering.
Eventually, ( Next week? ) there will be machines on college campuses that can easily make viruses to order. Like any tool, you can do good or bad with such power.
One item often mentioned is the "need" to have such semi-automated machines "stamp" their products with identifying markers. So when a product "gets loose" the authorities can trace it more easily. " This virus is copyrighted by UCLA biology dept. "
I might've mentioned this a while back- next time youn's make it to the drug store or Wallyworld, see if you can pick up some Oscillococcinum. See if this link works:
Yeesh, that was long! Anyhoo, I've kept this stuff around for years. A homeopathic remedy, it works to minimize symptoms, best taken at the onset of a bug- you'll still know you've got a bug, but you'll still be functional and not miserable. I recommend it highly, check it out.
Been dealing with a scratchy throat and cough the past 2 days- taking zinc, turmeric, vitamin C, etc.- took my temp a while ago, 97.3. Worried about my sis, as she works in Little Rock Baptist Hospital system as a chaplain. We've another chaplain friend in Nashville who's come out of retirement to assist the first responders involved in the tornado cleanup. People from all over have headed there to assist. Yeesh.
Summer can't come fast enough. Read today that UTK and ORNL are using the mega-computers to work on a cure.
Friday afternoon I was talking with a guy at work. He was planning on going to Chicago this weekend with his brother, who had a "gig" on Saturday. Apparently he is in training to set up sound for convention halls. Friday afternoon the gig go canceled due to the beer virus. I don't know any of the details, but that's a pretty big deal, shutting down a convention less than 24 hours before doors open.
One of our Fleming's locations out west was closed, and they had 5 "buy-outs" on the books for the week- that's when a big $$$$$$ client books the entire place for a day for a private event. Wow.
And now Austin's SXSW is cancelled. WOW. Here in Knoxville we have an annual international music fest for a weekend, Big Ears. Over in Manchester TN they've got Bonnaroo coming up.
Beyond what it could handle. It's an assumption that it was engineered to rational codes. It's a fair assumption that it wasn't even built that well or with quality materials.
Pre-WW2, "Made in Japan" meant poor quality toys and commercial products. This reputation led many to be surprised when they discovered, the Hard Way, that Japanese aircraft, ships, and weapons were top quality and advanced technology. ( The Zero fighter and Long Lance torpedo were longer ranged, and more lethal, than anyone guessed before the war )
So don't let "cheap Chinese crap" which fills our store shelves fool you. The guns and planes work fine. Their expertise in cyberwar and censorship, and complex software to rule with an Iron Fist is top notch. Just because they don't care much, if at all, if their commercial products last, kill you, or are as advertised, just shows the leader's priorities in accumulating power and wealth. Screw reputation, if you control the Media and punish folks who dare speak the truth.
Hoot, not a conspiracy theory. The Democratic Tyranny Party openly discusses how they need the economy to fail to Beat Trump and take Permanent Power. They also openly talk about Changing the System, to make the next election they win the Last one they need to, by eliminating the Electoral College, and registering non Citizens to vote.
By any means necessary. Never let a crisis go to waste.
More on topic... More people should wash their hands before handling food and after contact with bodily fluids. Coronavirus or not.
For a long time now, China has been a place where you could source manufacturing to be done at whatever spec. you desire. If you wanted cheap crap at rock bottom prices, they were impossible to beat. If you wanted precision machining for your widget parts, they were still difficult to beat. You did typically have to have people there to monitor the quality though, they will cheat you blind wherever they can.
Funny that stores would run low on hand soap because of this sort of thing. Did people not wash their hands before the beer virus?