I am not a prognosticator, I can’t say how bad things will get. I can say that Covid didn’t just magically disappear, and Bird Flu won’t just go away. The reality is ignoring zoonotic pathogens is a surefire way to kill off a large portion of the population. RFK Jr is just another old fucking shit bag that wants to be right even if he is wrong and who doesn’t care if his ignorance or self-righteousness kills you or anyone else. Your health is not his priority. His wealth and power are where his priorities lie. Please take care of yourselves and don’t rely on a person with a letter by their name or fame and fortune to save you, they won’t. Check on your loved ones, volunteer to help those vulnerable, and be empathetic and kind and we will get through this. Good luck.
Edit: I wanted to expand on the bird flu comment, as a couple of DMs pointed out there have been no sustained human-to-human transmissions of H5N1 to date.
A Science study published in December 2024 identified a single amino acid mutation, Q226L, in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of H5N1. This mutation increases the virus’s affinity for human-type receptors. While it does not enable human-to-human transmission, the virus’s capacity to mutate—especially with prolonged exposure—means it could potentially evolve in that direction.
This concern is underscored by the 2012 Erasmus Medical Center study, where gain-of-function experiments in ferrets demonstrated how easily H5N1 could acquire airborne transmissibility. Combine that with the risk of reassortment with H1N1 or H3N2, and the potential for an H5Nx strain to emerge becomes a legitimate concern.
That said, this is speculative, and I am neither a virologist nor a doctor. Please don’t take this as a prediction or diagnosis—just an example of a “what-if” scenario from an old South Texas peckerwood who reads too much.
I hear what you are saying - the reality-based community will do the right thing, most likely (if they are able to - Brainworms may make that difficult).
Unfortunately, herd immunity is a thing. That’s why we need a responsible government with sane stewards at the wheel. Having asshats like this in charge will KILL even those that do the right thing when it comes to vaccinations.
I am not a prognosticator, I can’t say how bad things will get. I can say that Covid didn’t just magically disappear, and Bird Flu won’t just go away. The reality is ignoring zoonotic pathogens is a surefire way to kill off a large portion of the population. RFK Jr is just another old fucking shit bag that wants to be right even if he is wrong and who doesn’t care if his ignorance or self-righteousness kills you or anyone else. Your health is not his priority. His wealth and power are where his priorities lie. Please take care of yourselves and don’t rely on a person with a letter by their name or fame and fortune to save you, they won’t. Check on your loved ones, volunteer to help those vulnerable, and be empathetic and kind and we will get through this. Good luck.
Edit: I wanted to expand on the bird flu comment, as a couple of DMs pointed out there have been no sustained human-to-human transmissions of H5N1 to date.
A Science study published in December 2024 identified a single amino acid mutation, Q226L, in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of H5N1. This mutation increases the virus’s affinity for human-type receptors. While it does not enable human-to-human transmission, the virus’s capacity to mutate—especially with prolonged exposure—means it could potentially evolve in that direction.
This concern is underscored by the 2012 Erasmus Medical Center study, where gain-of-function experiments in ferrets demonstrated how easily H5N1 could acquire airborne transmissibility. Combine that with the risk of reassortment with H1N1 or H3N2, and the potential for an H5Nx strain to emerge becomes a legitimate concern.
That said, this is speculative, and I am neither a virologist nor a doctor. Please don’t take this as a prediction or diagnosis—just an example of a “what-if” scenario from an old South Texas peckerwood who reads too much.
I hear what you are saying - the reality-based community will do the right thing, most likely (if they are able to - Brainworms may make that difficult).
Unfortunately, herd immunity is a thing. That’s why we need a responsible government with sane stewards at the wheel. Having asshats like this in charge will KILL even those that do the right thing when it comes to vaccinations.
It is, but a leaky vaccine doesn’t give you it.
Oh?
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-40750-8
Leaky?
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/leaky-vaccines-can-produce-stronger-versions-of-viruses-072715