Bacteria and viruses are the natural predators of humanity. We are locked in a "Red Queen" arms race, accelerated by increasing population, urbanization, and travel.
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
The novel CoronaVirus of 2019 is a dry run for when "enemies of civilization" use synthetic biology to weaponize viruses. It gets easier with every passing day.
A Space Corps looks to spread humanity across the stars. A Bio Corps would look to stop viruses from spreading across humanity.
We can build a network of sensors, eventually in our phones, to detect, identify and map new pathogens as they emerge, creating a realtime global warning grid.
We can create an Apollo Program for accelerated vaccine development, to deliver vaccines in months or weeks, rather than years.
We can develop and stockpile antivirals and therapeutics to delay the spread of future pathogens long enough to develop and deploy vaccines.
We can build dedicated treatment facilities with trained personnel, sealed rooms, and robotic assistants to isolate and treat patients without cross-infecting hospital residents and staff.
We can create a societal shift, from handshakes to head-shakes, from physical reality to virtual reality, from business travel to remote work.
Quarantine drills will be to the 2020s what nuclear drills were to the 1950s. Buildings and vehicles with advanced filtration systems will be the new fallout shelters.
Everybody wants to live a cleaner and more disease-free life. Technology can build us robust defenses, and we have time. Novel coronavirus may give us the will.
Loading suggestions...