3 ms·

I find it puzzling that some people are ok with this virus becoming endemic. You might be asymptomatic now but what about 15 years from now on? I dont think w

I find it puzzling that some people are ok with this virus becoming endemic. You might be asymptomatic now but what about 15 years from now on? I dont think we should allow more viruses to become endemic and as widespread as flu or cold. Imagine a world where it's highly probable that you will catch a virus that will make your life miserable even for a short period of time. I think just a mere existence of flu or cold was a mistake. We should have eradicated those years ago.

detritus 6y ago
> I think just a mere existence of flu or cold was a mistake. We should have eradicated those years ago. er.. how?
fuhrysteve 6y ago
> I think just a mere existence of flu or cold was a mistake. We should have eradicated those years ago. It's not clear to me how eradicating these would have ever been possible in the past, or will be in the foreseeable future. The flu has (probably) been around since at least 6000 BC, and numerous strains can be spread by birds & many other species.
- EdwinLarkin 6y ago
  I thought this is more or less a logistical nightmare. We cant create and distribute that many vaccines for the N number of strains. It would be possible but we just never really tried.
  - majewsky 6y ago
    No, a significant part of it is that immunity is temporary. The article describes a particular cold virus where immunity lasts about 40 weeks, hence it resurges every winter.
mercer 6y ago
> I think just a mere existence of flu or cold was a mistake. We should have eradicated those years ago. Genius! If only we'd thought of that earlier slaps forehead. While we're at it, why don't we get rid of this whole 'cancer' thing too. It's such a bother.
- dang 6y ago
  Please don't snark on HN. It poisons the commons. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html The sibling comment https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24234861 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24234861 is a fine example of how to reply instead.
  - mercer 6y ago
    Yeah, I know. I couldn't resist. I'll try to contain myself henceforth.

detritus 6y ago

> I think just a mere existence of flu or cold was a mistake. We should have eradicated those years ago. er.. how?

fuhrysteve 6y ago

> I think just a mere existence of flu or cold was a mistake. We should have eradicated those years ago. It's not clear to me how eradicating these would have ever been possible in the past, or will be in the foreseeable future. The flu has (probably) been around since at least 6000 BC, and numerous strains can be spread by birds & many other species.

EdwinLarkin 6y ago
I thought this is more or less a logistical nightmare. We cant create and distribute that many vaccines for the N number of strains. It would be possible but we just never really tried.
- majewsky 6y ago
  No, a significant part of it is that immunity is temporary. The article describes a particular cold virus where immunity lasts about 40 weeks, hence it resurges every winter.

mercer 6y ago

> I think just a mere existence of flu or cold was a mistake. We should have eradicated those years ago. Genius! If only we'd thought of that earlier slaps forehead. While we're at it, why don't we get rid of this whole 'cancer' thing too. It's such a bother.

dang 6y ago
Please don't snark on HN. It poisons the commons. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html The sibling comment https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24234861 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24234861 is a fine example of how to reply instead.
- mercer 6y ago
  Yeah, I know. I couldn't resist. I'll try to contain myself henceforth.