4 ms·
The article says a "new type of coronavirus", which is presumably a misunderstanding on the reporter's part; it seems more likely that these are asymptomatic ca
by 9nGQluzmnq3M 7y ago
The article says a "new type of coronavirus", which is presumably a misunderstanding on the reporter's part; it seems more likely that these are asymptomatic carriers of the same virus.
However, if there really is a symptomless or near-symptomless variant, this would actually be great news, since it would spread rapidly and provide immunity against virulent strains. And this in fact is what appeared to happen with the Spanish flu, where natural selection tended to prefer less virulent strains. (Really sick people stay home/hospitalized and don't spread the virus; less sick or asymptomatic carriers move around and spread it.)
- yorwba 7y ago"New type of coronavirus" is is the current official name for the coronavirus spreading from Wuhan.
- incompatible 7y agoHaven't the genetic sequences shown that there's so far only one variant? It's not surprising that there would be symptomless carriers, since it apparently can have quite a long incubation period. They may develop symptoms within a couple of weeks.
- sanxiyn 7y agoYes. Sequences strongly support single zoonotic introduction.
- GistNoesis 7y agoThat's not the way I read the report. I read it as it is confirmed that the virus can spread before the symptoms appear. No where is it stated that there is a new variant.
- incompatible 7y agoI'm not sure that et even says that, just that they tested everybody who arrived on the plane and found a few with the infection but no symptoms. It doesn't say whether they can spread the infection in that state.
- GistNoesis 7y agoYes you are right. I misread.
- adrianmonk 7y ago> The article says a "new type of coronavirus", which is presumably a misunderstanding on the reporter's part It's ambiguous, but I think they just mean 2019-nCoV. It's the one that was discovered late 2019. As opposed to the coronaviruses that were already known for years or decades.