Desert Trail Column - July 8, 2020

Karen’s Commentary: I just read an interesting article in The AARP Bulletin.

Deborah Birx, M.D.: Lessons From the Pandemic
https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/deborah-birx-coronavirus-interview.html

It’s an interview with the U.S. Coronavirus Response Coordinator Deborah Birx, M.D. When asked what we’ve learned to help us change our behaviors, she replied, “I hope that out of this comes significant recommendations to decrease human exposure to wild animals. It’s the wild animals that we don’t have everyday exposure to – we have no ability to handle their viruses, particularly if they jump to us. HIV came out of the wild animals. Ebola comes out of animals in the wild, and we believe that COVID-19 came out of animals in the wild. Any time a virus moves from an animal to a human, humans have no immunity. That’s what has been so difficult with this particular virus.”

When asked if we will find “patient zero,” she replied, “You will absolutely be able to get that level of clarity, including in which countries the travelers from China began that initial spread, country by country. There are extraordinary evolutionary molecular biologists who can really figure this out for us. They’ll be able to recreate in great detail where this virus came from, how it traveled around the globe, and where different countries had seeds of that virus introduced and when they were introduced.”

When asked if we can develop a universal vaccine for different strains of the coronavirus, she replied, “The coronaviruses in general are fairly stable in their protein matrixes. That’s the good part. Of course, we don’t have experience with this virus. The hope is a vaccine that is made today against COVID-19 will work tomorrow and will work a year from now.”

When asked how we can learn about the search for a vaccine, she replied, “Any American can go to the NIH website (ClinicalTrials.gov). It lists every single trial that is going on, every clinical trial for COVID-19, whether it’s vaccines or therapeutics, so Americans can stay informed.”

Friends of Wonder Valley is a non-profit organization whose goal is to enhance the lives of those living and working in Wonder Valley. To donate go to www.friendsofwondervalley.org or wondervalley.org.

Handy Hint: Make your own laundry stain remover. Mix 1 cup water, 1 cup household ammonia, 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup liquid laundry detergent together in a quart jar. Pour the solution into a spray bottle to keep handy next to the washer. Spray stains generously, allowing the item to sit for about 10 minutes, then wash as usual. (CAUTION: NEVER mix ammonia and bleach. NEVER.)

Today’s Thought: Drive as you wish your kids would. Never speed or drive recklessly with children in the car.

Until next time..., remember to take time to enjoy the WONDERs all around us.