Corona: warning of nature

 

Someone once told me that viruses are the most specialized organisms that have shed their organelles due to overspecialization and exploit the host machinery whenever required. The veracity of this definition is being proved in the present context.

It was the daftness of humans due to which they always underestimated the supremacy of viruses over their ego. Viruses co-evolved with the host whose machinery they required to replicate themselves. In lieu of this fact, there are more viruses then the visible species on this Earth.

 Viruses have short generation times, and many (in particular RNA viruses) have relatively high mutation rates (on the order of one point mutation or more per genome per round of replication). This elevated mutation rate, when combined with ‘Natural selection’, allows viruses to quickly adapt to changes in their host environment. In addition, most viruses provide many offspring, so any mutated genes can be passed on to many offspring quickly. Darwin stressed on overproduction of offspring crucial for natural selection and survival. Virus can grow up to 280000 billion in number just in one day thus they are the fittest organisms for survival. This huge army can eradicate humans in no time.

Under the aegis of development, humans have devastated forests and disturbed the basic food chain, thus creating a more and more unsuitable environment for him. Virus existed even before the oxidizing atmosphere persisted, proving the fact that they can sustain even in unfavorable circumstances. As such viruses are ubiquitous in nature and can be discovered in the depths of glaciers as well as in the intense temperature of the thermal vents. So, these are more adapted to hostile conditions compared to human beings.

Humans were under the illusion that they are omnipotent but the disillusionment came with the battery of viruses.  He became pococurante and took the abject lessons by the nature as something for birds. Inflated in vainglory, he laid in the reverie that he will always remain unscathed. He thought that he has adroitness to exploit the anonymous menagerie of microorganisms in whatever way he wants. But he remained oblivious to the fact that these tiny organisms possess the impregnable weapon of mutability, a ‘brahmastra’. Brahmastra as mentioned in Hindu Mythology was capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. Therefore is one of the most destructive, powerful, irresistible weapons of all the weapons existed so far.

The corona-virus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable and pathogenic viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona-virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); Being an RNA virus it is associated with a high mutation rate. Generally, all viruses have higher mutation rates than all other organisms present on this Earth but RNA viruses have even higher mutation rates than other viruses. Many novel viruses are lying in dormant condition buried deep in the ice or untouched ecosystems. They may come to a picture if these untouched, unsullied ecosystems are destroyed either by global warming or any of human activities. The world is yet to witness the savagery of these tiny organisms.

Humans need to educate themselves from the brouhaha caused by these tiny entities. To be a Spartan is the only possible solution to prevent further pandemics. A Spartan lifestyle is marked by simplicity, frugality, or avoidance of luxury and comfort. It is a life of discipline and self-denial. This may eventually benefit to keep them prepared for the more calamities in the future.  The training for the same is imparted by this lockdown either by self-motivation or by perforce.