General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCasually giving some thought to Covid becoming endemic, and it hit me
In 1917, influenza had been endemic for many generations in human society.
Then, in 1918, a new variant suddenly arose that swept around the planet and killed tens of millions in two years.
All of a sudden, this talk about Covid becoming endemic as a light at the end of the tunnel doesn't feel as comforting.
Beachnutt
(7,267 posts)Ocelot II
(115,576 posts)and did not become endemic. A variant H1N1 turned up in 2009, but it was considered a novel virus that contained "a unique combination of influenza genes not previously identified in animals or people. This virus was designated as influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus." https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/2009-h1n1-pandemic.html Viruses mutate so quickly that it's hard to predict what they will do. The common cold is considered endemic, but it's caused by many different viruses, some but not all of which are coronaviruses.
NickB79
(19,224 posts)And as far as I understand influenza subgroups, the different flu strains are all one viral species, just exhibiting variants through regular mutations to their surface proteins. Like what we're currently seeing with COVID.
Scrivener7
(50,901 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)And the enormous advances in genetics and vaccine development can't be overstated and will continue. We won't always need 4 vaccinations a year for this virus.
But it wouldn't be right not to be aware. The WHO's priority and high priority lists always have at least a couple dozen known horrific viruses with pandemic potential that could make Covid look more like the common cold in comparison. With planetwide disease-spreading as statement of populist resentment, we've been very fortunate and/or surveillance and containment have been very good.
As for 1918, though, not the same world. Those people didn't even have antibiotics. There's a reason the old saying "don't run with scissors" is an old saying; a puncture through the peritoneum often meant a horrible, painful death.
Demsrule86
(68,455 posts)Antarctica for samples years later. This is already passing...
MontanaMama
(23,294 posts)told me that the infectious disease staff at her hospital are saying they fully expect Covid to be around forever. We will have to keep getting vaccines and boosters to keep it at bay. I dont know if thats the definition of endemic or not.