Today, Explained How Covid-19 attacks your body
Mar 30, 2020
In this conversation, Ed Yong, a renowned science writer for The Atlantic, unpacks the intricate world of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. He explains how the virus cleverly targets the ACE2 protein, enhancing its ability to infect and spread. Ed shares insights into the virus's adaptability and its journey through the respiratory system, shedding light on conspiracy theories and its mutations. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding immune responses, particularly cytokine storms, in the fight against this global threat.
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Virus Impact
- SARS-CoV-2, a tiny virus, has significantly impacted the world.
- Its small size and genetic simplicity contrast with its global impact.
Coronavirus Research
- Coronaviruses are less studied than influenza viruses.
- Four mild coronaviruses cause common colds, while SARS and MERS are more severe but contained.
Virus Spread
- This coronavirus's success is partly due to its long incubation period and asymptomatic transmission.
- This allows it to spread undetected before symptoms appear.