Chinese scientists studying Covid-19 have discovered a section of mutated genes that does not exist in Sars but is similar to those found in HIV and Ebola, raising the possibility of a man-made mutation.
“According to the study, the mutation can generate a structure known as a cleavage site in the new coronavirus’ spike protein.
The virus uses the outreaching spike protein to hook on to the host cell, but normally this protein is inactive. The cleavage site structure’s job is to trick the human furin protein, so it will cut and activate the spike protein and cause a “direct fusion” of the viral and cellular membranes.
Compared to the Sars’ way of entry, this binding method is “100 to 1,000 times” as efficient, according to the study.”
South China Morning Post
Either the mutation responsible for Covid-19 being up to 1,000 more contagious than Sars and other coronaviruses has occurred as a freak of nature, or the mutation was developed in a lab and accidentally escaped or was deliberately released.
Coincidentally, the laboratory in Wuhan, close to the area where the virus was first discovered, was researching “why Ebola and HIV can lie dormant in bats without causing diseases”.
“The mutation could not be found in Sars, Mers or Bat-CoVRaTG13, a bat coronavirus that was considered the original source of the new coronavirus with 96 per cent similarity in genes, it said.”
Meanwhile, a study by French scientist Etienne Decroly at Aix-Marseille University, which was published in the scientific journal Antiviral Research on February 10, also found a “furin-like cleavage site” that is absent in similar coronaviruses”.
Zerohedge
Little wonder there’s a worldwide shortage of face masks when Covid-19 appears to be the result of a marriage made in hell between lethal Ebola/HIV and efficacious Sars.
“Chinese researchers said drugs targeting the furin enzyme could have the potential to hinder the virus’ replication in the human body. These include “a series of HIV-1 therapeutic drugs such as Indinavir, Tenofovir Alafenamide, Tenofovir Disoproxil and Dolutegravir and hepatitis C therapeutic drugs including Boceprevir and Telaprevir”, according to Li’s study.
This suggestion is in line with reports by some Chinese doctors who self-administered HIV drugs after testing positive for the new coronavirus, but there is as yet no clinical evidence to support the theory.”
If the Chinese are acutely aware of the destructive potential of Covid-19 why are students here putting pressure on the New Zealand government to lift travel bans?
“University students are demanding the government lift the Covid-19 travel ban, saying it is unreasonable, unempathetic and feeds racism.
The Union of Students’ Associations has published an open letter to the Prime Minister, Health Minister and Education Minister, protesting the restrictions which bar foreign travellers arriving from mainland China.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed yesterday the ban would be extended for a further eight days.”
RNZ
There are now more cases of Coronavirus outside China than inside it, giving us absolutely no reason to lift the travel ban against travellers from China. If anything, we should extend the ban other countries as well.
“Yesterday, the number of new cases reported outside China exceeded the number of new cases in China for the first time,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO.
…The sudden increases of cases in Italy, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea are deeply concerning,” he said, according to a prepared statement of his speech. “There are now cases linked to Iran in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait and Oman,” Tedros added. “There are now cases linked to Italy in Algeria, Austria, Croatia, Germany, Spain and Switzerland.”
Marketwatch
So far we have been spared but the spread of Civid-19 here, but this is probably only a matter of time.
30 other countries have Covid-19 and some are curtailing large gatherings in an effort to prevent the spread. Saudi Arabia has cancelled the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Japan has cancelled baseball games and says it will close all schools, and Italy, South Korea and Iran have introduced travel bans after increasing numbers of cases.
University students here whimpering about lost tuition and lost university revenue need a good kick up the whatsit for putting pressure on the government to soften travel bans and the government also needs a good kick in the same place if it responds favourably.
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