I don't know about you, but viruses have been on my mind a lot lately. One virus in particular, SARS-CoV-2 (a.k.a. COVID-19), continues to hold my attention way more than I would like it to. However, viruses are pretty amazing, and I learned to appreciate them when I read Carl Zimmer's book, A Planet of Viruses. Like everything I have read by Carl Zimmer, who writes a weekly science column for The New York Times, this short book is a fun read, and it doesn't require a background in biology, or any other science, to … [Read more...] about Science Corner: A Planet of Viruses Book Review & Virus Appreciation
coronavirus
Science Corner: New Year, New Coronavirus Variant
When all is said and done, I expect that 2021 will end with more good news and less news overall about coronaviruses than 2020 had. In the short term, we are going to have more epidemiology and virology to talk about. The topic most interesting to me is the new B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 (also known by several other alphanumeric identifiers). It was identified in December in the UK and has been found in samples taken there from as early as September. Since then it has be isolated from patients in numerous countries … [Read more...] about Science Corner: New Year, New Coronavirus Variant
Science Corner: Giving Thanks for Science
Last week I made you do math, or at least watch me do math. So we'll keep things simple this week, especially in light of the holiday. Here are a few of the things from the domain of science that I am thankful for. I'd be glad to hear any items you might wish to add. And I hope that those of you observing Thanksgiving in the United States are able to celebrate in a joyful and healthy context. … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Giving Thanks for Science
Science Corner: Solve for SpaceX
You may have heard, although frankly it is probably just as well if you didn't, that Elon Musk got some mixed results from SARS-CoV-2 rapid tests last week. He opted to use his celebrity to cast aspersions on the value of the tests. Normally I would consider that just another drop of noise in the roiling sea of nonsense. But I realized that the math involved in interpreting these tests is not altogether intuitive, and many of us might be uncertain what to do with such equivocal outcomes. And for some of us, that may … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Solve for SpaceX
Science Corner: Winter is Coming – We Need Encouragement
I was reminded recently that just about two years ago, I wrote about the centenary of the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic. While it had no definitive start or end date that can be commemorated the way we mark the end of World War I by observing Veterans' Day or Armistice Day, it seemed no less significant or worthy of remembering. Now, two years later, we are in the midst of another global pandemic of a respiratory virus. I think maybe this time we might benefit from a look forward instead. … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Winter is Coming – We Need Encouragement