Re:An Uncommon Cold
by divbzero on Wednesday January 06, 2021 @05:27AM
(#25656393)
Hypothetically, if the entire world population physically distanced for an entire month (or some appropriate time period) would cold viruses die out altogether?
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Randal Munroe tried to answer that in the book 'What If?' Basic conclusion is no. Virus would linger in a few hosts long enough to restart.
Also it would destroy the economy and potentially damage our health. 'It's possible mild infections serve serve to train and calibrate our immune system'
Strange, but interesting idea. It would be a net positive economically.
And likely a net negative for many peoples mental wellbeing.
I'd imagine HN is a pretty significant selection bias for individuals who are not so interested in social interactions with people in person but that's not necessarily true for the rest of society.
I personally find the current situation very mentally taxing but not because I want to necessarily talk to people but rather from a prevaling sense of exclusion, and lack of personal freedom and choice. You may think this is acceptable but for me it's actually quite painful psychologically.
Not to mention small businesses that are being sacrificed to appease the Gods of infection rates.
Re:An Uncommon Cold
by throw893232 on Wednesday January 06, 2021 @05:43AM
(#25656468)
Virus can linger in host for months. Also animals can spread some viruses. There are terrorists who could preserve it... Even (re)creating virus is feasible.