COVID 19 - A Bookworm's View

COVID-19? It wouldn't be out of place as the title of a thriller would it? And I suppose that notion is what prompted me to put these words together as I muse about a world caught in an atmosphere of anxiety for their health. I've often mused that cyber and germ warfare may be the future of conflict. Folk are certainly conflicted by all that's going on at the moment. 

Influenza, flu, has always been a killer. Trouble is we often confuse flu with a particularly intense cold. If you've ever had real flu, my goodness, you know it. So what is it with this particular strain that's causing so much concern? Statistically, worldwide, on average 650,000 people die per year from the flu. How do the figures for COVID-19 compare? Rhetorical. I don't know the answer. 

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RANT 73 -Visual Storyteller
The COVID-19 Coronoavirus 2019

And the origin of this virus? There are those who believe it to be natural. And there are those who believe it to be man-made and released either deliberately or accidentally. If it is natural it simply demonstrates the incredible stability of a virus and its ability to fulfil its potential.To evolve, survive and change to thwart our fragile immune systems which do not seem to evolve at comparable rates.  There have been many strains of the coronavirus over the years, SARS, MERS etc. But if it is natural could it even be one of nature's ways of trying to sort problems out. The world is overpopulated, is it a nature cull? 

And if it's man-made? What would be the purpose? Deliberate release? Overpopulation? People have been living longer; it all puts a strain on resources. Malthus was probably right.  Governments finding a way to get rid of people without resorting to overt genocide? It's a scary notion. 

There is a field of thought that believes the fatality figures we have been given are not accurate. The reason suggested for that is it would frighten people too much if they knew the truth.  But are we frightened already? A fearful population is a compliant population. A population too scared to travel. That would reduce the carbon footprint.  Maybe it's to reduce the risk of terrorism. If people are too fearful of attending large gatherings, sporting and cultural events, it offers less opportunity for terrorists to strike. 

The emphasis on the washing of hands strikes me as some kind of subversive metaphor?! Are we all washing our hands of our responsibilities?

Accidental release? Always a possibility. And one that possibly no one is prepared to admit to. But are these merely the thoughts of an avid reader? After all this is a bookish blog. But  today on social media I spotted someone who has cited horror writer Dean Koontz's  The Eyes of Darkness published in 1981 and requesting an explanation for this 'coincidence'.  The author  speaks of a respiratory illness originating from China - Wuhan specifically, in 2019 and 2020. Koontz calls it Wuhan 400. Pretty chilling. 

So maybe it's not such a departure from a bookish themed blog? And maybe it's all part of a spooky parallel universe, astral planeing type reality? Or maybe I have too vivid an imagination. Perhaps I'd better stick to washing my hands.