There's a lot that we don't know yet about Covid-19. However, it is also true that there is an amazing amount knowledge we already have of this virus (SARS-Cov-2) and the disease (Covid-19) it causes thanks to modern technology. The author Raul Rabadan is a leading researcher in the field. He wrote this book as a summary of what is known as of June. It is written for laymen, but it is a little bit technical at times, so it may not be an easy read for people with a weak science background. He is including a list of research articles as a reference to his text as well as for additional reading.
In the book he is describing what a corona virus is, this particular corona virus (SARS-Cov-2), the genetics/RNA, when it came into existence and likely how, how it is evolving and changing, how it spreads, how it compares with SARS (pretty similar), how it compares with influenza (totally different), he discusses therapeutic options, common misunderstandings and ongoing research. Corona viruses are spherical and have spike proteins used for entering the cell (via ACE2 enzymes). The spike proteins make the viruses look like crowns in electron microscopes, thereof the name. They also have membrane proteins, envelope proteins and a nucleicapsid protein. Corona viruses uses RNA to store their genetic information. That’s what defines a corona virus and there are 100’s of them, 7 infect humans, some are harmless, some are lethal, they have around ~30,000 base pairs.
By looking at the genome for SARS-Cov-2 and how it has changed we can know that it first came into existence in the middle of November 2019 via mutation most likely involving recombination. He explains the difference between infection fatality rate, case fatality rate, mortality rate, and why the estimate for the case fatality rate has changed.
The author dedicates chapter six to a comparison with the SARS-Cov(-1) virus and the disease it caused SARS (2002/2003). They are very similar, in fact, they are both not just corona viruses they are the same virus species and their diseases have very similar symptoms. However, SARS was deadlier but luckily not as contagious. He dedicates chapter seven to a comparison with pandemic and seasonal influenza. Some people tend to conflate seasonal and pandemic influenza. When a new influenza that no one has immunity against is introduced and spread around the world, that is a pandemic influenza. Examples are the Spanish flu in 1918, the 1957, 1968, and 2009 flu. Seasonal influenza is mutated/weakened versions of previous influenza and much less deadly than Covid-19. In terms of danger Covid-19 compares to a pandemic influenza. However, it is a completely different virus and the disease has different symptoms.
It is a relatively short book, but it has a lot of information. I learned something about Covid-19, viruses in general, the evolution of viruses, pandemics, influenza, genetics, and much more. I love learning interesting new things about how the world works and therefore I love this book. The book was well written, concise, well organized, and provided a lot of resources. Considering that there’s so much misinformation and disinformation circulating I think it is great to read something substantial from an expert and a researcher. Certainly, there is a lot we don’t know yet, but we should have a better understanding of what we do already know. Unfortunately, the print in the paperback is small and probably too small for some readers. Normally I would deduct a point for such an oversight, but I was able to read it and the book is so interesting that I give it five stars.
Enjoy fast, FREE delivery, exclusive deals and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
There is a newer edition of this item:
What do customers buy after viewing this item?
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the Publisher
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
4:55
Click to play video
Dr. Raul Rabadan The Why
Merchant Video
Videos for this product
7:27
Click to play video
Raul Rabadan interview video 1
Merchant Video
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 12, 2020
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 27, 2021
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 18, 2020
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 24, 2020
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 30, 2020
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 30, 2020
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 14, 2020
Top reviews from other countries
Bunhill
An Important Book for Our Times
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 29, 2020
