As we all take measures to protect ourselves and loved ones, there is a parallel universe of activity racing to apply all of the latest medical technology, data analysis, genome mapping, artificial intelligence (AI), robots, drones, IoT, supply chain logistics, self-driving vehicles, and cybersecurity enhancements (to name a few) to address this Global pandemic crisis. As a technology company focused on augmenting the human experience with a digital helping hand, it is amazing to watch the world come together with the brightest minds and force of will to produce the myriad of different contributions.
So what do we know about COVID-19
A recent article posted over at eLIFE breaks it down for the rest of us in a way that is, well, accessible. Scientists know the Size & Content, the Genome, Replication Timescales, what are the Host Cells and the Concentrations. Did you know that the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has a relatively (compared to influenza) mutation rate–which could be very interesting in understanding how fast the coronaviruses evade immunization efforts.
Other questions / aspects that represent a common set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for COVID-19 are addressed by experts in the eLIFE article and include:
- Why 14-days for quarantine?
- What is the effect of social distancing?
- How do N95 masks block SARS-CoV-2?
- How stable and infectious is the virion on surfaces?
- What is the difference between the case fatality rate and the infection fatality rate?
The summary provided by the paper, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) by the numbers, is an excellent read and could not pass up the opportunity to share with you.
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