Posted on 02/07/2020 11:45:57 AM PST by BenLurkin
The coronavirus is similar to two viruses that circulate in bats, but it might have skipped through another species before infecting humans.
Suspicion has fallen on the pangolin, an endangered, highly trafficked creature that looks like a cross between an anteater and an armadillo. Its scales are prized in traditional Chinese medicine, although they’re made of keratin, just like fingernails. In recent days some researchers have noted that a coronavirus previously identified in pangolins is more closely related to the novel coronavirus than any virus identified so far.
It’s not clear whether any bats or pangolins, live or dead, were on sale in December at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, where more than half of the people first identified with the virus had shopped. And it’s possible that the viral leap into humans occurred somewhere else, as some early cases occurred in people with no known link to it.
…
“Why it’s occurring now is really a mystery,” said Perlman. “You have people being around bats forever, eating bats and buying them in markets. Why did it take until December 2019?”
If the species that facilitated the jump from bats to humans is really a pangolin, that could complicate the search for its origins, said Benjamin Neuman, a virologist at Texas A&M at Texarkana who is also in the Coronavirus Study Group.
“If the illegal animal trade was at the root of this outbreak, it is going to be really difficult to trace, and I suspect most of the evidence is gone already — destroyed or spread out across the black market,”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
So, was the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918-1920 courtesy of S & M (Spaniards and Mexicans - a la Steve Martin)?
Since the coronavirus’ outbreak epicentre IS China, it stands to reason that it would, at least in its early stages, effect primarily Chinese people, rather than say, Africans. Funny how that works, isn’t it?
A coronavirus is just a general type of virus, right?
This is a specific, single strain. The “Wuhan Flu”.
What’s with all this “coronavirus” garbage. Is it supposed to sound like “Resident Evil”, or something?
Just checking to see which conspiracy theories we’re embracing here.
I believe the Washington Post like I believe used toilet paper.
Agree.
I’m going with the Chinese version of Charles Campion busting through the gates right after the alarms go off.
Of course, the Washington Post is ALWAYS a good source for ‘facts’. Just like the NY Times, right?
The grin is the best part. Lobsters don’t give us that.
Trump’s fault.
Yes, and he puts ketchup on ths Pangolin steaks.
From bats, to the bio weapons lab, to a place near you.
Cause penguins are practically chickens
Yeah, not. It has 4 insertions that should not be there.
Next up to blame is the Eurasian Beaver.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_beaver
And if that doesn’t work:
the Booby
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booby
But we know for sure it’s not...
the Little Bustards!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_bustard
But I want one!
I just don’t want to ranch termites to feed it.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1924420/posts
Oh look.
Don’t be ignorant and READ!
99% DNA match.
Didn’t RATS spread a little bad disease too? hmmmmmmmmm
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