Is Covid-19 Really THAT Bad?

Sometimes there is more than one perspective - more than one way to look at something, and sometimes, a different viewpoint leads to a different approach to a problem. Both approaches may ultimately get to the desired result, but through very different philosophies.

Sometimes it is difficult to tell which approach is really better. Either the end result of either are so similar, or the real consequences don't manifest for decades, centuries...

With that in mind, consider the following counterpoint:


The average human body is composed of roughly 37 Trillion Cells. It also contains roughly 40 trillion bacteria. There as much or slightly more bacteria than there is you in your body! Crazy right? And those bacteria are largely beneficial, even necessary to your existence. They help digest your food, and help you absorb the nutrients, as well as bolster your immune system.

Wait, it gets better. You've heard of e.coli? Staphylococcus? Did you know you have e.coli living in your gut right now? And Staphylococcus on your skin?

"Wait!" you might be saying, "Isn't e.coli the dreaded bacteria that gives you diarrhea? And staph., isn't that the terrifying, antibiotic resistant super-bug?"

Yup, but see, it is other peoples' e.coli and staph. that give you trouble. Your own are your friends. Your e.coli helps you absorb iron. Your staphylococci help regulate inflammation. Without it, you could wind up with psoriasis or other inflammatory skin diseases.

So, arbitrarily obliterating all bacteria, or even some of the bacteria that we tend to think of as "Bad bacteria", would be pretty bad for us.

Scientists are less fixed on the precise number of viruses that live on and in your body, but the current estimates are around 300 Trillion. Roughly ten times as many viruses as bacteria! And they are largely beneficial too. Some fight off bad (for you, at least) bacteria. Some viruses destroy cancer cells. In fact, some of the most exciting cancer treatments currently being explored involve using modified or selectively bred viruses which can target your specific form of cancer.

Typically, the reason a particular virus or bacteria makes you sick is due to your immune system not successfully integrating or eliminating the new strain.

Your particular microbiome is unique. It is influenced by your environment, your diet... The types of food you eat have an impact on the health and makeup of your gut microbiome, and consequently, on your health. Every time you come into contact with another person, and exchange of microbes occur. Some your microbiome views as allies, and they are integrated into your system, increasing the diversity of your system. Others are viewed as enemies and are destroyed, these can also be beneficial, as your microbiome "remembers their genetic code", and now can utilize that knowledge to bolster your defenses against future similar, perhaps more dangerous invaders.


So, given this alternate perspective on the nature of microbes in the human condition. Is excessive isolation and eradication really the best choice for humankind's future?

Dear Mom - An apology

My mother managed to annoy a number of people over the years. Specifically, many people complained to me about her habit of intruding on their lives and pointing out their flaws. Not directly mind you (well, there was some of that as well, because all mothers do that a bit, and at least the times I can remember her doing it to  me, it was entirely deserved), but that's not the one that caused people to complain.

No, it was the "barely subtle", "passive-aggressive" way she would send books, or magazine articles, or newspaper clippings with self-help advice. That "back-door" fault-finding. That is what really got people upset. And many complained to me about it. And I nodded sympathetically, because I had received many of those myself.

Just recently however, I realized something. We had it all wrong.

Have you even seen a sunset, or heard a song or watched a movie that just.... inspired you? It touched you, moved you, filled you with excitement, or wonder, or joy, or hope or... all of the above?

You wanted to share it with your friends, your family, your loved ones. You wanted them to be able to experience that same amazing, euphoric feeling you felt.

Those self help articles were her sunsets, her brilliant arias. When she read them she felt inspired to do more, to be more. She felt hope at the prospect of a new idea, a new approach to life that might help her improve herself, that might help her to fix some of the many flaws, face down some of the many demons which beset her.

And so she shared it,  because that's what you do when a sunset or a song is just too beautiful for words; you share it with the people you love.

I understand now, Mom. I'm sorry it took me so long to figure it out. I love you too.

Love,

Ed