The Real Story of the Covid Catastrophe is Larger Than You Know by Thom Hartmann

[wnylib]

7. There is no doubt in my mind that

overprocssing of food is damaging our health and the health of the plants and animals on earth. The chemicals and plastics alone have a devastating effect on all life - human, plant, animal.

But I do not get the connection to viral diseases like covid, or to other diseases like the insect-born lyme disease. Our ancestors thousands of years ago lived lives that were much closer to wild animals and insects, due to things like hunting and living in thatched huts where insects and vermin abounded.

Viruses are not even alive. They are inanimate pieces of RNA and DNA that require a living host to replicate by invading and using our cells. Our distant ancestors also handled the blood and flesh of wild animals that they killed, skinned, drained of blood, and prepared for eating, whether raw or cooked.

We know that they encountered viruses, too, because DNA studies show that some Neanderthal DNA passed down to us had evolved as protection against certain types of viruses.

So, although I agree that we are severely damaging the planet, I do not see a connection betwern that and the development of viral diseases. I do see a connection between our modern lives and the ability of a virus to spread to humans around the world, due to our frequent travel and ability to carry something to the opposite side of the earth in a matter of hours. But that is a result of modern travel. It spreads disease but does not cause it.