(no subject)

[soc_puppet]

Today, in posts I am too scared to make on Tumblr:

Anyone remember that post about how, with permafrost melting, scary new diseases might be popping up from before the last ice age?

To be clear, I am in no way saying that’s where Covid 19 came from*; I am saying that, unless we get climate change under control, this might just be a preview of things to come.

* I haven't been keeping up with Covid 19 news that much, especially if anyone's actually discovered a source. Honestly, the fact that it's here now is more than enough. Just, the thought that there might be more on the way, with how badly prepared we were for this, and the fact that we might be able to prevent some of them showing up but really aren't? I mean, healthcare and workers rights reform are definitely at the top of the list of importance here, but that accidental mental connection just rocketed climate change pretty much right behind them in my mind.

Comments

[caprices]

If it helps, most diseases that might be locked into permafrost are probably so ill-suited for the current lifeforms, their ability to get going would be quite limited, and unlikely to be super contagious.

I worry a bit that with so many zoonotic diseases being a result of humans encroaching on remaining pockets of wilderness, that there's a certain mindset of "let's just destroy *ALL* remaining wilderness".

Around 65% of emerging diseases (like covid) jump from animals; this one happened to come at a time where surveillance/preventative measures were at a weak point.

[soc_puppet]

That does help a good deal, thank you.


Yeah, that's a good point. Hopefully we take enough good lessons from this time around that we'll be good and prepared for 2120 (not that I expect to still be alive then).

[mesotablar]

I remember hearing about permafrost threats in University, and around 2012 I think they were predicting it would most likely be respiratory infections because the most common creature that could catch it in the first place and spread it are birds and they are weak against respiratory diseases. Even so, it is a tiny tiny chance. Much more likely is that we will have ancient fungus starting to grow again from spores stored in the permafrost.

The worry with COVID-19 is it's ability to jump species so easily, that dog in Hong Kong got it (and now probably countless other pets now people are in lockdown) and now Tigers in a zoo. If it gets into a wild population the government answer will just be 'wipe it out'

[soc_puppet]

That does indeed lessen my worry, thank you.

Well. Not for the tigers, but still.