I CANNOT get over the fact that one day, my kid is going to come home and ask me about The Pandemic for a school project in history class. (Assuming the human race lasts long enough for me to have children and for them to reach school age before society fucking collapses). We are living in history, the things we are experiencing are going to be chapters in a book and we will be primary sources. How the hell am I going to look my kid in the eye and tell them how irresponsible our nation was with this? How am I supposed to explain the absolute insanity of anti-maskers to people who didn’t witness it first hand? Not to mention that american history books will likely gloss over our shitty response to this because that’s what we do, we pretend that everyone else was wrong and The Great America is the victim. One day my kid is going to come home and ask me what my experience was and I’ll have to tell them that my employer told an entire staff meeting that infection was ‘inevitable’. I’ll have to tell them that I was nearly physically assaulted for asking a man to pull his mask over his nose, and regularly called mean names for just trying to do my job. Do I tell them that this disease was here for months before the lockdown, kept quiet behind closed doors? Do I tell them that their great grandmother got sick out of nowhere in December (my mom, my aunt, and myself also got a very mysterious and intense 'cold’ around this time), and the doctors had no idea where it was coming from, and months later, after she had already died, we read a symptom list and had a horrible, horrible realization? Do I tell them how the risk was downplayed, how the public was lied to? How are we going to explain this fucking failure as a society to our future children? Is this the story you want to tell, America? Are you proud of this goddamn embarrassment? Because I’m not. I’m fucking mortified. This is embarrassing, it’s disgusting, it’s shameful. This pandemic tested America, and we fucking failed. I hope your fucking haircut was worth generations of shame.
Here is a roundup on some of the most recent research and scientific efforts against the coronavirus.
Novartis:
Novartis has reached an agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration to proceed with a phase III clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine in hospitalized Covid-19 patients. The large trial will be conducted at more than a dozen sites in the US and tested on approximately 440 patients to evaluate the use for this treatment.
Additionally, Norvatis plans to make its hydroxychloroquine intellectual property available to support broad access to hydroxychloroquine. Read more here.
Causaly
Causaly, an innovative technology company that harnesses AI to interpret vast databases of biomedical knowledge, is collaborating with UCL academics to increase research on potential therapeutic agents and the identification of biomarkers.
Several researchers and research groups within UCL have been granted access to Causaly technology, allowing them the access to rapidly analyse and derive insights from biomedical literature.
As part of the UK’s wider efforts to support the development of a vaccine, a new government-led Vaccine Taskforce will soon be launched to drive forward the manufacturing and research efforts to fight the virus.
The government will review regulations to facilitate fast and safe vaccine trials, as well as operational plans, to ensure a vaccine can be produced at a large scale when it becomes available. Industry and academic institutions will be given the resources and support needed.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said, ‘UK scientists are working as fast as they can to find a vaccine that fights coronavirus, saving and protecting people’s lives. We stand firmly behind them in their efforts. The Vaccine Taskforce is key to coordinating efforts to rapidly accelerate the development and manufacture of a potential new vaccine.’ Read more here.
A new biosensor for the COVID-19 virus
Research teams at Empa and ETH Zurich have developed an alternative test method in the form of an optical biosensor. The sensor made up of gold nanostructure, known as gold nonoislands on a glass substrate, combines two different effects to detect covid-19: an optical and a thermal one.
According to the release, ‘Artificially produced DNA receptors that match specific RNA sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 [virus] are grafted onto the nanoislands,’ and researchers will then use the optical phenomena, - localised surface plasmon resonance - to monitor the presence of the virus.
The biosensor is not yet ready to be used to monitor and detect COVID-19, however tests showed the sensor can distinguish between very similar RNA sequences of SARS-CoV-2 virus and its relative, SARS-Cov. Read more here.
For more information and more updates on the coronavirus, please visit our hubhere.
I don’t understand the great mask debate. No shoes. No shirt. No service. We all know that rule. You’re already required to wear things to protect yourself and others when you go into stores. What’s the problem with wearing another 16 square inches of cloth?
Nie zesrajcie się z tym koronawirus, na grypę zmarło już ponad milion osób a wy boicie się wirusa który ma 1-2% śmiertelności w porównaniu do 40% + powikłania jakimi może być nawet sepsa. Większość chorych którzy zmarli przez wirusa to ludzie w podeszłym wieku z innymi chorobami które osłabiają organizm. Wiec proszę, stop i walczmy z grypą a nie z wirusem którego nie ma nawet w Polsce
Dark times going through but we proved ourselves that we’re strong, we gonna survive even if it’s mom nature’s warning… Just look and see, how much we stay at home, cleaner the Earth gets. We are the trash of the world.
My fellow Murrikans, we need to talk a little about science.
Specifically, about how and why pandemic models change as dramatically as they do. And yes, this will be long, but stick with me.
There have been a lot of sentiments lately that scientists have “overblown” the predicted mortality rate of COVID-19. That they’re “backpedaling” and admitting that the mortality rate won’t be quite as bad as they thought.
I’ve repeatedly seen people criticizing the Imperial College’s scientist who is “admitting” that his dire predictions aren’t so grim after all… despite the articles those people post including or at least linking to his full statement that the lower numbers occurred when social distancing and other protocols were factored into the model.
That doesn’t mean he’s “admitting” to anything or that he was incorrect: it means his model now reflects communities taking action to slow the spread of the virus and flatten the curve. The fact that his numbers are lower now doesn’t mean he was wrong – it means MEASURES ARE WORKING.
Think about it:
Let’s say we Virus X is discovered and has started spreading rapidly. Based on the cases observed so far, scientists conclude its reproduction number (how contagious it is, basically) and its mortality rate, and from there, conclude that if it continues to spread at its current pace, 1,000,000 deaths are likely.
With those factors in mind, actions are taken: quarantines, PPE, shutdowns and social distancing where possible, etc. Testing increases, so more cases are identified, including mild or asymptomatic cases where a person would not have quarantined under normal circumstances, which will prevent them from contributing to the spread of the Virus X.
The model is updated, and now 100,000 deaths are expected from Virus X.
Wait, that seems like a huge change. Clearly the numbers were wrong to begin with and scientists are just guessing.
Except pandemic models include predictions for 12-18 months into the future, and viruses spread at exponential rates. There’s a reason we have a phrase “going viral.” If that spread is significantly slowed in April of year 1, it’s going to have a dramatic ripple effect over the subsequent 12-18 months, which is going to bring the total cases – and deaths – way down.
So now Virus X is expected to kill around 100,000 people.
More data comes in. Some new treatment measures are adopted that save lives. Risk factors are identified, allowing vulnerable people to be quarantined to prevent exposure. The notoriously not-transparent country where the virus originated coughs up some clearer data that would have been helpful weeks ago. When the model is updated once more, Virus X is predicted to kill 25,000 people.
Does that mean the scientists were incorrect when they predicted 1,000,000 deaths? Were they “creating a panic” or otherwise trying to hype up a disease that ended up being no big deal?
No! It means measures taken to reduce the spread ARE WORKING, and that treatments and such are HELPING.
IT’S A GOOD THING WHEN THE PREDICTED DEATHS DROP.
IT’S EVEN BETTER WHEN THEY DROP THAT MUCH.
If the predicted deaths stayed consistent even after the addition of preventative measures, then we would be colossally screwed because it would mean there is nothing we can do to slow or stop the disease from killing people. That initial prediction is what will happen if we just let it do its thing and don’t lift a finger to slow it down. The lower numbers mean we’re doing a thing and we should KEEP DOING IT.
Pandemic prediction is not an exact science. It’s impossible to predict exactly how many people will get infected and how many will die. But it’s not “wrong” or “wild guesses.”
It’s like hurricane tracking: we have A LOT of data that tells us what will influence a hurricane’s track and strength. Based on that, meteorologists can predict with remarkable accuracy when, where, and how severely a hurricane will hit.
But sometimes they’re wrong. Sometimes a hurricane peters out. Sometimes it strengthens. Sometimes it veers out to sea, and then people are mad because they boarded up their windows and stocked up on bottled water “for nothing.” They feel duped and lied to, as if they were encouraged to panic over nothing.
No, you jackwagons, you were given information that could have saved your life. Think about what would have happened if the meteorologists had figured “eh, this one will probably blow out to sea,” but then the Category 5 hurricane slammed into your city without warning.
Much like meteorologists, epidemiologists have to take worst case scenarios seriously, which can mean some scary-looking models early on. That doesn’t mean they’re being Chicken Little: it means they’re telling you that the metaphorical hurricane has a significant likelihood of hitting you at a high speed, and hey maybe you should be ready for it. As the hurricane gets closer, they’ll have a better idea of its strength and track, but if they wait until they’re absolutely sure it’s going to hit you, you won’t have time to take measures to prevent loss of life and property.
With a pandemic, they start out with the worst case scenario so that governments and citizens can prepare and protect themselves accordingly, and as the “storm” gets closer, the models will change based on both its “strength and track” (data collected as the disease does its thing) and based on how much people have done to weaken it and slow it down (something we haven’t yet figured out how to do with hurricanes, but are reasonably good at with microbes).
Scientists are not lying to you. They’re not trying to make you panic. They’re using the information and resources that they have to try to minimize preventable deaths.
In the end, when the final count is lower than initially predicted, don’t be bitter that it “wasn’t as bad.” Don’t think you were duped or lied to or provoked into panicking. Be thankful that we have advanced epidemiological science that can give us the information we need to keep a pandemic from being as devastating as it could be when left to its own devices.
Because unlike hurricanes, we can actually change this storm’s strength and minimize its devastation.
So when all this is over, instead of complaining while you pull the boards off your windows after the storm that never materialized, be grateful that your house is still standing.
This is a huge and continuously updating list. The first 2 categories are ‘definitely DA’ and ‘Probably DA’, but beyond that all of the shows are sorted by category. Enjoy!
Definitely DA:
The Living and the Dead - The plot revolves around Nathan Appleby and his wife, Charlotte Appleby whose farm is believed to be at the centre of numerous supernatural occurrences. Set in Victorian times and has ghosts and an excellent aesthetic. Available on Amazon Prime. 5/5
A Series of Unfortunate Events - This series follows the tragic tale of three orphans – Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire – who are investigating their parents’ mysterious death. The siblings are saddled with an evil guardian named Count Olaf , who will do whatever it takes to get his hands on the Baudelaires’ inheritance. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny must outsmart Olaf at every turn, foiling devious plans and disguises. The series is based on the series of books by Lemony Snicket. Available on Netflix.
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina - A dark coming-of-age story that traffics in horror and the occult. In the reimagined origin story, Sabrina Spellman wrestles to reconcile her dual nature – half-witch, half-mortal – while standing against the evil forces that threaten her, her family – including aunts Hilda and Zelda – and the daylight world humans inhabit. Available on Netflix. 5/5
Downton Abbey - This historical drama follows the lives of the Crawley family and their servants in the family’s Edwardian country house. The programme begins with the 1912 sinking of the Titanic, which leaves Downton Abbey’s future in jeopardy, as Lord Grantham’s presumptive heir – his cousin James – and his son, Patrick, die aboard the ship, leaving him without a male offspring to take over the throne upon his death. As a result, Lord Grantham must search for a new heir. As the programme progresses through the decade, other historical events happen leading up to Lord Grantham declaring in 1914 that Britain is at war with Germany, marking the beginning of World War I, which becomes a major plot on the programme. Available on Amazon Prime.
Gran Hotel - Set in Spain in the early 20th century, Julio arrives at a luxury hotel to meet his sister, head chambermaid Cristina only to discover she has disappeared. Julio makes it his mission to find her and infiltrates the hotel under the guise of a footman. This show is in Spanish but available with English Subtitles. 5/5
Penny Dreadful - An exploration of the origin stories of classical literature characters in this psychological thriller that takes place in the dark corners of Victorian London. Sir Malcolm is an explorer who has lost his daughter to the city’s creatures, and he will do whatever is needed to get her back and to right past wrongs. His accomplice, seductive clairvoyant Vanessa Ives, recruits charming American Ethan Chandler to help locate Sir Malcolm’s daughter and slay some monsters. Available on Netflix and Hulu.
The Umbrella Academy - On one day in 1989, 43 infants are inexplicably born to random, unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. Seven are adopted by billionaire industrialist Sir Reginald Hargreeves, who creates the Umbrella Academy and prepares his “children” to save the world. In their teenage years, though, the family fractures and the team disbands. Fast forward to the present time, when the six surviving members of the clan reunite upon the news of Hargreeves’ passing. They work together to solve a mystery surrounding their father’s death, but divergent personalities and abilities again pull the estranged family apart, and a global apocalypse is another imminent threat.
Sherlock- Dr. John Watson is a war vet just home from Afghanistan. He meets the brilliant but eccentric Holmes when the latter, who serves as a consultant to Scotland Yard, advertises for a flatmate. Almost as soon as Watson moves into the Baker Street flat, they are embroiled in mysteries, and Sherlock’s nemesis, Moriarty, appears to have a hand in the crimes. Available on Netflix. 5/5
Stranger Things - In 1980s Indiana, a group of young friends witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries. Available on Netflix. 5/5
Twilight Zone - It’s a strange mix of horror, science-fiction, drama, comedy and superstition. Serling introduced each episode, and many of the black and white episodes concluded with a surprise ending. Available on Netflix and Hulu. 5/5.
Outlander- After serving as a British Army nurse in World War II, Claire Randall is enjoying a second honeymoon in Scotland with husband Frank, an MI6 officer looking forward to a new career as an Oxford historian. Suddenly, Claire is transported to 1743 and into a mysterious world where her freedom and life are threatened. To survive, she marries Jamie Fraser, a strapping Scots warrior with a complicated past and a disarming sense of humour. A passionate relationship ensues, and Claire is caught between two vastly different men in two inharmonious lives. Available on Netflix and Hulu.
Probably DA:
The Magicians - Quentin Coldwater, a grad student at Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, has been fascinated by the magical fantasy world since he was young. But as he has gotten older, Quentin and his 20-something friends have discovered that the magical world they read about as children is not only real, but it poses dangers to humanity. While studying at the secret upstate New York school, the friends struggle to cope with the aftermath of a catastrophe that befalls the institution. Available on Netflix, Hulu, and the Syfy website. 5/5
Merlin- This action-packed fantasy-drama revisits the saga of King Arthur and his wizard, Merlin, by focusing on the two characters when they were ambitious young men struggling to understand their destinies. In this telling, Prince Arthur is known to be the heir to the throne (no sword from the stone here). And he is acquainted with all those who will one day form the legend of Camelot, including Lancelot, Guinevere, and Morgana. Merlin is also forced to deal with King Uther’s Great Purge, which bans all use of magic. Available on Netflix. 5/5
The Order - When Belgrave University student Jack Morton joins a fabled secret society, the Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose, he is thrust into a world of magic, monsters and intrigue. Out to avenge his mother’s death, he uncovers dark family secrets and lands in an underground battle being waged between werewolves and practitioners of dark magic. Assisting Jack in the fight is Alyssa, a tour guide at Belgrave and fellow member of the Order, which is led by Jack’s estranged father. Available on Netflix. 4/5.
Legion - David Haller is a troubled young man who was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a child. Shuffled from one psychiatric institution to the next, in his early 30s, David met and fell in love with a beautiful and troubled fellow patient named Syd. After a startling encounter with her, he was forced to confront the shocking possibility that the voices he hears and the visions he sees may actually be real. Syd led David to Melanie Bird, a demanding but nurturing therapist who heads a team of specialists – Ptonomy, Kerry, and Cary – each of whom possesses a unique and extraordinary gift. Together, they helped David to recognize and harness his hidden abilities and unlock a deeply suppressed truth – he had been haunted his entire life by a malicious parasite of unimaginable power. Available on Hulu. 4/5.
Comedy:
Derry Girls - Following Erin and her friends as they grow up in a world of armed police in armoured Land Rovers and British Army check points in 1990s Northern Ireland and attempt to navigate the highs and lows of being teenagers. Available on Netflix. 5/5
Detective/military:
Broadchurch- When the corpse of an 11-year-old British boy, Danny Latimer, is found bloodied and dirty on an idyllic beach, a small Dorset community becomes the focus of a police investigation and media madness. Out-of-town Detective Inspector Alec Hardy gets the point position over Detective Sgt. Ellie Miller – who feels the job should have been hers. Slowly, more members of the community of Broadchurch are drawn into the investigation. While dealing with so much unwelcome attention, Danny’s family tries to cope with its grief. When a suspect is named and charged, the ensuing trial sees the defendant promising to expose more of the townspeople’s secrets. Available on Netflix. 5/5.
Haven - FBI Agent Audrey Parker arrives in Haven, Maine, on what she believes is a routine assignment. But the longer she stays, the more curious she becomes – about the townspeople, who seem to be beset by a range of supernatural afflictions; about the town itself, which contains many secrets; and about her own surprising connection to this strange place. Available on Netflix and Tubi. 4/5.
A Very Secret Service - At the height of the Cold War in 1960, André Merlaux joins the French Secret Service and contends with enemies both foreign and bureaucratic. In French with English Subtitles. Available on Netflix. 5/5.
Criminal Minds - An elite squad of FBI profilers analyzes the country’s most-twisted criminal minds, anticipating the perpetrators’ next moves before they can strike again. Each member of the “mind hunter” team brings his or her expertise to pinpoint predators’ motivations and identify emotional triggers to stop them. The core group includes an official profiler who is highly skilled at getting into the minds of criminals, a quirky genius, the former media liaison who manages to adeptly balance family life and the job, and a computer wizard. Available on Netflix and CBS. 5/5
Eureka- In the years since World War II, the U.S. government has been relocating the world’s geniuses (and their families) to the Pacific Northwest town of Eureka. Daily life there shifts between amazing innovation and total chaos. U.S. Marshal Jack Carter learns this first-hand when his car breaks down in Eureka, stranding him among the town’s eccentric citizens. When they unleash a scientific creation still unknown to the outside world, it’s up to Carter to restore order. Subsequently, he’s let in on one of America’s best-kept secrets. Available on Amazon Prime. 5/5.
Our Girl - Taking destiny into their own hands, British Army female medics of 2 Sections are dispatched on different missions, where they encounter the heartbreak and realities of life on the battlefield. 5/5.
Political:
The Crown - This lavish, Netflix-original drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s to modern times. The series begins with an inside look at the early reign of the queen, who ascended the throne at age 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. As the decades pass, personal intrigues, romances, and political rivalries are revealed that played a big role in events that shaped the later years of the 20th century. Available on Netflix. 4/5.
Victoria - The monarch’s life is chronicled as the story begins with the death of King William IV in 1837, her accession to the throne at the tender age of 18 and her relationships with the influential forces around her. With the advice of the prime minister Lord Melbourne and the support of her husband Prince Albert the young queen flourishes and establishes herself in her newfound role. Available on Amazon Prime. 4/5.
All images and captions are from The Guardian. It’s interesting to see how society has evolved to respond to global pandemics over the last 100 years. Fun facts about Spanish Flu:
- It is not known where the Spanish Flu originated
- The Spanish Flu became associated with Spain because Spain was not subject to the same media blackouts and was hit hard by the flu.
- The Spanish believed that the flu originated in France and called it the “French Flu”
- The First known case of Spanish flu was March, 11 1918 at Camp Funston in Ft. Riley, Kansas, USA.
- Quarantines and mask wearing were required in areas.
- Aspirin was used to combat the Spanish flu, and the recommended dose was up to 30 mg/ day, which is toxic.
- Many deaths from Spanish flu were caused or sped up by aspirin poisoning
- The Spanish Flu is often called the “Forgotten Pandemic” as it occurred in a time of media blackouts and did not have extensive reporting.
“Clean, clear and soft skin was how soap was sold before the flu took hold. (Manchester Guardian, January 1918)“
“The antiseptic cleanliness of Lifebuoy tackled the “influenza scourge” and left the whole family in “smiling health,” claimed its makers Lever Brothers. (Manchester Guardian, March 1919)”
“As more people died of flu, the tone of adverts changed. Boots placed an advertorial that encouraged washing with soap, and quoted the Ministry of Health: “Our country’s greatest asset is its people.” (Manchester Guardian, April 1919)”
“An increase in demand for soap led manufacturers to ship more raw materials from abroad. (Manchester Guardian, February 1920)”
“Jeyes disinfectant – either in liquid or soap form – was promoted as being invaluable when tackling germs in the home, school and office. (Manchester Guardian, May 1919)“
“A versatile soap, Ivy, could be used for many cleaning tasks, including washing delicate materials like lace. (Manchester Guardian, April 1922)“
“Pinkobolic soap claimed to be both effective and economical. (Manchester Guardian, June 1920)”
“The makers of Sunlight soap commissioned a series of adverts that introduced readers to different people living on “Sunlight Street”. This advert featured a mother and her children who, thanks to Sunlight soap, benefited from clean and healthy surroundings. (Manchester Guardian, May 1922)“
“Despite unforeseen dangers of infection and contagion “Your life must go on; you must meet, touch and talk to people…,” said this advert. (Manchester Guardian, June 1924)“
“Everything from influenza to burns were said to benefit from the antiseptic product Yadil. It was sold as a soap, ointment and liquid. (Manchester Guardian, November 1928)“
