For years, journalist David Quammen has written about viruses that spread from people to animals. The American, who before National Geographic is therefore hardly surprised at the outbreak of Covid-19.
In an interview with de Volkskrant, the author of the book ‘From animal to human’ says: “Ten years ago I wrote down the stories of experts who warned about a new corona virus, originating from a bat, that came from a local market. China would spread all over the world. “
“Nature has an immeasurable diversity of viruses that are found in all kinds of living things,” Quammen explains. “We can limit the dangers, for example by leaving ecosystems alone as much as possible. But that is not an easy task, because we find plants and animals to sell or eat, but also wood to light. ”
The journalist goes on to say: “Viruses follow Darwinian rules: they keep adapting because they have the greatest chance of surviving and reproducing. When they nest in humans, they have an inordinately large number on Earth. There are as many as 7.7 billion of us, so a completely new world of possibilities arises for a virus. Seen in this light, this new coronavirus is one of the most successful viruses on the planet. ”
Quammen believes that there should be more appreciation for science and technology. “Because these areas will help us respond better to a subsequent virus outbreak so that there is no epidemic or pandemic. Clever minds are working on tests, on vaccines and on antiviral medicines. This is all important work to prevent another pandemic. ”
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