The Great Influenza by John Barry
May 12, 2020
I've been reading John Barry's excellent book, The Great Influenza, and while I'm still reading, I thought I'd share some of the more compelling excerpts and points so far.
If you're seeking to understand the current COVID-19 Pandemic, I'd highly recommend Barry's account. It's superb...
Between 1959 and 1997, only 2 people died from Avian type flu viruses
1997: the Bird Flu killed 18 people in Hong Kong. Millions of chickens were slaughtered.
2003: It reemerged with a vengeance.
Since then, these avian viruses have infected over 2000 people and killed almost half of them.
These viruses, like the Corona virus, binds to cells deep in the lung, and start in the upper respiratory tract.
So it passes easily from person to person.
1918 Influenza was the first great collision between nature and modern science.
In 1918: world population was 1.8 Billion
Today: 7.6 Billion
Our advantage today is that modern medicine can prevent more than half the deaths ...
