Community Chat

[bikerbabe]

I came across this several days ago and thought I might post it here for those who are interested. There is a new research study published by researchers from Scripps Institute in La Jolla California. After studying the genomic sequencing of the novel coronavirus, they determined that it is not man-made and occurred via evolution and natural selection.

They believe it most likely originated as a bat or pangolin coronavirus but probably had an intermediary host before jumping to humans.

Pangolins are harmless little guys that eat insects but sadly are the worlds most trafficked animal, used in Chinese medicine and also considered a delicacy. 😢

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200317175442.htm

[RoughDraft]

You made me look up pangolin.  They look like armadilos in scallops.  lol

As far as the eternal  man made theory, it's harder to kill than the virus.  Sad.

[SandySparkles]

Thank you for this very interesting post! Prior to reading it, I was unfamiliar with pangolins, and decided to research them. It is always disheartening to learn of any endangered species. 

There is just so much conflicting information surrounding the virus,  but this sounds promising. 

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

[lynne6was7]

The Wednesday 3/25 episode of PBS Nature will be about pangolins.

[JustJazzmom]

Bats carry a lot of viruses yet never seem affected by them according to researchers.

Scientists think that the bats were the transferer to humans and not the pangolins. Pangolins are an endangered mammal in Asia and their scales are used in folk medicine. Their scales are made of the same material as our nails -- keratin.

[FloridaGold]

Thanks @bikerbabe 

And, Scripps here in my hometown of Jupiter, Florida has been working frantically fo find a vaccine.

[goldensrbest]

They eat bats over there, gross.

[golding76]

Better to have a simple palate, one that does not bring on tragedy.