3 ms·

Well, don't most people catch any bacterial diseases, because we're good at healing the ones that do? With no antibiotics, the bacteria would spread more rapid

• 300bps 13y ago
  What OP said: >presents an existential threat to modern society What responders seem to be responding to: >presents an existential threat to humanity The latter one is obviously wrong. The former, I think it's more likely than not that it's wrong. Sure, globalization would make bacterial outbreaks more likely but simple things like more frequent hand washing and wearing surgical masks any time you're out in public would cut the infection rate down tremendously. There are many societal things we could do to improve society's chances of survival before antibiotic resistance would become an existential threat to society.
  • jljljl 13y ago
    This is probably true for a most infections you encounter in every day life, but the infection rate for surgical procedures is higher, despite reduction through sterilization and antiseptic. There are also a number of professions where the chances of injury, and subsequently infection, are much higher. It's possible that there would be large societal changes if the ability to undergo surgery or work in risky professions is hampered by an increased risk of lethal infections.