FDA approves drug to treat smallpox
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Re: FDA approves drug to treat smallpox
#2This is actually quite disconcerting, in the backdrop of questions surrounding SARS-CoV-2.
Re: FDA approves drug to treat smallpox
#3> Complications of smallpox included encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), corneal ulcerations (an open sore on the clear, front surface of the eye), and blindness.
A tragic reminder of the horror inflicted on indigenous people by the colonies that would become the United States[1]. A bioweapon used to craft the narrative of the empty, pristine continent, bestowed by God for the fulfillment of Manifest Destiny[2].
1. https://www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S11...
2. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2002/03/the-pri...
Re: FDA approves drug to treat smallpox
#4> Although the World Health Organization declared smallpox, a contagious and sometimes fatal infectious disease, eradicated in 1980, there have been longstanding concerns that the virus that causes smallpox, the variola virus, could be used as a bioweapon.
As I understand it, the variola virus's genome is known and it is possible to recreate it in a lab.
Re: FDA approves drug to treat smallpox
#5This is actually quite disconcerting, in the backdrop of questions surrounding SARS-CoV-2.
Yea, this is terrifying
Re: FDA approves drug to treat smallpox
#6> Although the World Health Organization declared smallpox, a contagious and sometimes fatal infectious disease, eradicated in 1980, there have been longstanding concerns that the virus that causes smallpox, the variola virus, could be used as a bioweapon. As I understand it, the variola virus's genome is known and it is possible to recreate it in a lab.
there's no need for that when samples of the virus itself are still retained by two laboratories:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox_virus_retention_debat...
Re: FDA approves drug to treat smallpox
#7> Although the World Health Organization declared smallpox, a contagious and sometimes fatal infectious disease, eradicated in 1980, there have been longstanding concerns that the virus that causes smallpox, the variola virus, could be used as a bioweapon. As I understand it, the variola virus's genome is known and it is possible to recreate it in a lab.
there's no need for that when samples of the virus itself are still retained by two laboratories: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox_virus_retention_debat...
There are a lot more people who will soon have access to genome fabrication technology (there are already companies that do this as a service) than can break into a BSL4+ laboratory and steal one of the few remaining smallpox samples.
Re: FDA approves drug to treat smallpox
#8> Tembexa received priority review, fast track
This is the same rating the COVID vaccines received. Either we are reacting to a real threat or preparing for perceived threat.
It is possible some variola virus variant is being produced in a lab. This would obviously pose a risk necessitating precautionary measures.
Re: FDA approves drug to treat smallpox
#9> Complications of smallpox included encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), corneal ulcerations (an open sore on the clear, front surface of the eye), and blindness. A tragic reminder of the horror inflicted on indigenous people by the colonies that would become the United States[1]. A bioweapon used to craft the narrative of the empty, pristine continent, bestowed by God for the fulfillment of Manifest Destiny[2]…
None of us can really do anything about that history other than think and vote for the future.
If you look back even further, many of our ancestors were cannibals. Much of history was a pretty horrific time. All over the world.
I think (hope) that the world is getting better.
I wonder what people will look back and think of us.
Re: FDA approves drug to treat smallpox
#10> Complications of smallpox included encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), corneal ulcerations (an open sore on the clear, front surface of the eye), and blindness. A tragic reminder of the horror inflicted on indigenous people by the colonies that would become the United States[1]. A bioweapon used to craft the narrative of the empty, pristine continent, bestowed by God for the fulfillment of Manifest Destiny[2]…
From your citation:
> Bioterrorism had already started 14 centuries before Christ, when the Hittites sent infected rams to their enemies.
The non-modern world was indeed a vary barbarous world. It is amazing how far we have come in such a short time.
Continue to vote and push forward.