Watching H5N1 extend its host range, now show respiratory symptoms in a human case, should concern us all. We are whistling past the graveyard, not remotely prepared for what comes next. Perhaps H5N1 will not acquire the mutations necessary to ensure efficient human-to-human transmission, but counting on good fortune is not a strategy.
@gregggonsalves
"It's fine, it's birds, but not mammals"
"It's fine, it's cows, but no other mammal species"
"It's fine, it's multiple mammal species, but not humans"
"It's fine, it's human, but just conjunctivitis, not respiratory involvement"
"It's fine, it can cause respiratory symptoms in a human, but - "
@gregggonsalves
If we'd started improving indoor air, making sure everyone has sick time and can afford to use it, and helping everyone figure out what tight-fitting (ie respirator) mask fits them and feels comfortable back when we first realized that SARS-CoV-2 spreads preferentially via aerosols (not ballistic droplets), we'd be in a better place re HSN1, excuse me, HPAI.
@kdnyhan @gregggonsalves it is infuriating that we are living amongst a majority whose subjective reality sees these diseases as a manufactured politically motivated phenomenon, to be used as some sort of political platform… This rather than acknowledge the reality that you’ve outlined, and address this as an opportunity to use reason and science with the aim of preserving life and health.
@gregggonsalves Denialism is strong, almost deleteriously so.
"It could never happen to us... again, please don't say it will."
As one big-brain once said of another looming threat
"It’s going to disappear. One day — it’s like a miracle — it will disappear. And from our shores, we — you know, it could get worse before it gets better. It could maybe go away. We’ll see what happens. Nobody really knows."
/s
@gregggonsalves meanwhile, House Republicans are pillorying Dr Fauci for conspiracy theories, vilifying public health efforts.
@gregggonsalves
Oh, it's way worse than "not remotely prepared".
Following COVID, we now have people working actively against any type of assistance or solution for society...consider, there are people who will refuse to wear masks, refuse any kind of vaccine, and who will work diligently to stop others from same. H5N1? At least it's not airborne Ebola, you know, this time.
Recall, during COVID, it led to incredibly bizarre memes like the following....
@clintruin @gregggonsalves Two things are working at alternate positions but steering towards the same target. One end will work to prevent any form of mitigation while the other is trying to forget the last time by ignoring it. Both unresolved collective traumas, both will make things significantly worse for everyone.
@gregggonsalves I think its been empirically satisfied that major govt. and govt. organizations have been inept at preventative actions for global pandemics. If it's legal, private households and businesses are left holding the bag for public safety in these instances. What steps can be taken to prevent the development and spread of potential plagues in the now and future as this becomes a more prolific problem?
Will we all be wearing hazmat suits in the future?