Is coronavirus (Covid-19), a new biologically engineered pathogen?
Scientists have still not been able to trace the exact origins of the virus
Firdous Ahmad Qazi
“After all, it really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic.”
Margaret Chan.
Biological weapons also called as germ weapons are any number of disease producing agents that may be utilized as weapons against humans, animals and plants. It was speculated that the Coronavirus outbreak that begin in China in 2019 could have been an intentional biological war and the release of a new biologically engineered Pathogen. There is no indication what so ever, that it was an engineered virus.”
According to Trevor Bradford, a virus expert, “The evidence we have is that the mutations are completely consistent with natural evolution.” It is a fact of life that viruses evolve and get stronger to find ways of beating current vaccines and transform into something entirely new. It is possible that China would not choose to use biological weapons in any capacity. Scientists have still not been able to trace the exact origins of the COVID -19. Its link to specific animal sources has also not been identified. It is one of the deadliest diseases which is forcing governments and Corporations to announce measures including lockdown that is having a telling impact on the world economy.
It was in mid January 2020 that the Virus was first linked to bio-weapons research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). Though, experts in Virology, including Richard Wright, a Chemical Biology Professor has indicated that there is no evidence that the virus has been created.
He says, “Based on the virus genome and properties cut back their normal course of business and forcing them to make preparations on a war footing.
Almost all the countries are in complete lock down – cities are under quarantine. Travel plans have been cancelled and visitors are being quarantined for at least two weeks. Stock markets have crashed. Transport is at a standstill. Schools, Offices and large multinational corporations have shut down until further notice.
It is all humans that must learn lessons including the world leaders and politicians who rather than leading the charge against the coronavirus, seek to play politics even in this situation. The most important lesson is that the World is truly a global village and what we must do is to try all that is humanly possible to prevent a reoccurrence of a virus attack that has the potential of wiping out large sections of humanity or even threatening the human race with extinction. That is why, those who have stock piled biological weapons must destroy them otherwise any outbreak will spread beyond the borders.
As of today, 195 countries across the globe are affected by this virus and more than 31,000 people have lost their lives to it. The outbreak is progressing at different speeds in different countries depending on demographics and other factors. Every single country must assess their own situation and context, including virus spread, measures in place and social acceptability and adopt the most appropriate interventions.
The best thing we can do at this time is to be prepared as possible. In addition to measures governments are already taking, we all share a collective responsibility to act to protect ourselves, our communities and the most vulnerable among us.
The best thing you can do to protect yourself and those around you from Coronavirus is to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. If you are coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or with the fold of your elbow. Keep your distance at least 1 metre from people who are unwell and other wise also maintain a safe distance from people. If you are sick, stay at home so that you don’t risk infecting others, and seek medical care if you have trouble breathing.
In addition to the COVID -19 outbreaks, we are also fighting a global epidemic of misinformation. We should not circulate rumors and misinformation online to our friends and family. We should not believe everything we read online; rather we should stick to trusted sources and government authorities.
The current outbreak is an exam for all of us. It is time for us to work together and focus not only on what confronts us today but plan for tomorrow. The online training entitled ” Emerging respiratory viruses, including nCoV: methods for detection, prevention, response and control ” – is currently being produced in 21 languages providing more than 60 courses.
The most common symptoms of Coronavirus are fever, tiredness, dry cough and difficulty in breathing. Older people and people with other medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease) may be more vulnerable to become severely ill. There are wide spread reports that a loss of the sense or taste could be linked to the early stages of novel Coronavirus infection. Study from South Korea, where wide spread testing has been done, found that 30 percent of some 2000 patients who tested positive for the Coronavirus reported experiencing Anosmia.
The worst part of Coronavirus is though spreading around the world like wildfire but there are still no drugs that can kill the virus or vaccines that can protect against it. Doctors are testing current anti viral drugs to see if they work against Coronavirus. This speeds up research as they are known to be safe to give to the people.
According to Dr. Bruce Aylward from the World Health Organization, ” There is only one drug right now that may show real efficacy and that is Remdesivir. ” but still results are awaited . Trials are taking place in the US and other countries with the anti malarial drug called Chloroquine, but again results are awaited.
India adopted extreme measures to combat the novel Coronavirus outbreak as the nation registers 1000 new cases within a day and taking a toll of 29 deaths till now. The country is in complete lock down. The problem is that even after this crucial and critical situation in the world, people are not taking the lock down seriously. Many people were challaned, booked under the provisions of the Epidemic Act and sent to the isolation wards across India for not following measures to ensure their own and public safety.
The conclusion is Coronavirus is undoubtedly a deadly virus. We have to help ourselves and our society by confining ourselves to our homes and follow the safety measures till our scientists find a vaccine or a drug which can kill the virus and our planet becomes safe to breathe and live.
It is for sure that once we come out of this pandemic throughout the earth, the world will be a different place to live as the perceptions will change altogether. Mother nature is here to teach a lesson and to make us look the world in a different and better way.
(The writer is a Research Scholar at the School of Management Studies BGSB, University Rajouri)
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