2nd period - Type a paragraph review for A Viral Storm while trying to come up with some unique points that are not listed above. Reply to this post with your thoughts by typing in a comment.
Nathan Wolfe’s The Viral Storm is a novel about a very important topic that most of us do not even think about. He brings to our attention the large, hidden world of microbes that are all around us-especially viruses. He does this through a mixture of biology, history, medicine and personal experience which makes it very interesting to read. He brings up a new idea of predicting pandemics rather than containing and stopping them once they have already begun which is definitely a new way of thinking. This is possible through all the new technologies that are readily available to us- he even mentions that our cell phones and social media could be used to monitor the “chatter” of viruses. Tweets, Facebook posts and texts about being sick are all signals of an upcoming illness that scientists look out for. The threat of bio-terrorism that he brings up is also one that we don’t pay much attention to. Terrorists can be killed, bullets can be taken away, bombs can be defused but once a virus latches onto someone and spreads, nothing can stop it and its damage is far beyond what any man-made weapon could achieve. Overall, the book was eye opening and left me with a new perspective. There’s a whole world of living creatures that are unseen that affect us in ways unknown. Our evolution, the practice of hunting, the domestication revolution, agriculture, building of roads and much more of our history has made us all transportation devices for viruses. We are connected with microbes in more ways than we think and the new technologies and research to predict and stop viruses are growing more and more each day.
The Viral Storm is a fascinating story about viruses and how they affect our everyday life. Its message strikes close to home, mainly because of the Ebola patient being taken to Emory in Atlanta. The book opened my eyes to the sheer amount of viruses that are out there in our world. Mr. Wolfe’s work in Africa and other nations gives us increasing access into the world of the virus. Many viruses are being monitored every day, but more are discovered along the way. Above all else, The Viral Storm made me excited to learn more about viruses. Nathan Wolfe’s fascinating work helps us as a species gain a more clear perception of viruses. By Kyle Walter 2nd period
Wolfe's novel is a fascinating account for the evolution of human beings and microbes side by side, and the importance of understanding how these microbes function. Within the opening pages we learn that the world is not controlled my humans but rather by the billions upon billions of microscopic lifeforms he refers to as microbes. Though these microbes are invisible to the naked eye, they have the potential to pose serious threats to the existence of human life. Wolfe explains how these microbes have cause near extinctions in the past and in the future may cause widespread pandemics. The threat of these viruses is all too real however there are proposals that may help prevent these disasters from occurring.Wolfe mentions his ideal "control room" (which one day may be a possibility, however due to lack of resources is only a dream for now) he explains how a team of scientist would closely monitor the emergence of potential microbial threats via medical reports, Google searches, and social media. It was very interesting to read about how utilizing these methods can help pinpoint the potential outbreak of a pandemic before disaster strikes. However the world that we live in today lies vulnerable to attack as we are connected more than ever now thus posing an easy means of passage for microbes. The hunting and butchering of animals also allows for direct transmission of microbes into a new host, as does blood transfusions and transplants. Upon reading what Wolfe has said, one can start to understand the seriousness of this matter. -Sean Jarnagin 2nd Period
I found Nathan Wolfe’s The Viral Storm to be a unique take on understanding viruses from our past and predicting the next pandemic that may be lurking on the horizon. Throughout the course of the book, Wolfe takes us on a journey around the globe to learn about the significant role viruses play in life. I found it interesting that he explores this role through a number of stages of human history, so that the reader can see how viruses have evolved alongside mankind. I got to see how hunting and domesticating animals caused our ancestors to come in close contact with viruses from other species. I learned the importance of modern advances such as planes and organ donation in regard to connecting the world and spreading viruses. Finally, the novel taught me that social media and cell phone data are being looked at as tools to track the next big pandemic. Overall, The Viral Storm was a intriguing way of understanding viruses and how they have changed through history. - Austin Fretwell
Nathan Wolfe, through his book The Viral Storm, explains many aspects of the viral world. He focuses on three main ideas: how viruses originated in the human species, how they spread globally, and most importantly how forecasting upcoming pandemics may be possible in the near-future. The common ancestor between chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans is who began the whole process of getting infected by viruses, since they transitioned into meat-eaters. This made it possible for many viruses from hunted animals to get introduced into our ancestors’ bodies through contact with bodily fluids. This revolutionary act has resulted in the present-day relationship between viruses and humans. For the most part, viruses such as Ebola and HIV are very harmful and deadly to humans, but viruses such as the Seneca Valley virus are beneficial to humans due to virotherapy. With increased and very advanced transportation systems, viruses are able to spread around the whole world rapidly. Due to these conditions, it is vital that scientists be able to detect pandemics before they occur, so they can be prevented. This is the aim of Nathan Wolfe’s team at Global Viral Forecasting. The idea of predicting and preventing pandemics had never occurred to me before, but Wolfe has thoroughly explained how this is definitely possible and how it could save many lives.
The Viral Storm written by Nathan Wolfe is a non-fiction novel describing events of the past, present, and future involving microorganisms, specifically viruses. In this novel Wolfe writes about how many viruses started and which organisms were involved. The origins of these tiny microbes are surprising as well as interesting. Many start in the areas of the world that are not as developed as America such as Africa and Malaysia. He talks about how these microbes move from organism to organism, region to region. Through this book, many of our everyday things contribute to the upcoming pandemic. Things such as roads, planes, and the interaction with animals are what may start the pandemic Wolfe describes thoroughly in The Viral Storm. He believes that sometime in the future, our population and the other organisms on Earth will be infected with a virus that will create the pandemic. In the novel he writes about many of the diseases that involve viruses, for example malaria, Ebola, and rabies. These diseases have created a disaster but none have generated the pandemic Wolfe is worried about. In this detailed book about the billions of microbes around us, Wolfe is able to explain how diseases were started, how they affect us, and how we can prevent the pandemic from taking over the world. I loved reading about the many ways people over the years have discovered new viruses and diseases and how they treated them. Sometimes these scientists or doctors would contribute to the virus’s start. Microorganisms have always been interesting to me because they are some of the smallest things on the planet, yet they do so much to our world.
The Viral Storm by Nathan Wolfe was all about the expansive world of the virus. This word virus is mentioned once or twice a year in news commonly but we are around viruses every day so why don’t we know that much about them? In this book however, Wolfe talks about every single major virus that had some sort impact in the history of medicine or has majorly affected a population such as HPV, H1N1, HIV, Malaria etc. But, Wolfe also talks about the small viruses such the virus that gets into a mice’s nervous system and convinces the mice to think that cats are friendly and approachable and then the mice get eaten by the cat when it approaches it and then thus continuing the spread of the virus. The book contains very interesting facts about viruses and how you can contain and maybe even soon prevent them from creating a pandemic. Wolfe discusses about how soon, in the future, we will be able to contain and prevent an outbreak from ever occurring through monitoring social media for any symptoms of a certain virus if there is an abnormal amount of people contracting it. This book also explains how a certain pandemic started and exactly why the virus was so successful in spreading. A bonus in this book was that Wolfe included personal experiences in his life about when he had an experiment on a certain virus or told us about a personal experience of when he got Malaria which was very fascinating to read. Nathan’s love for studying chimpanzees was very noticeable throughout the book but not only did I learn about viruses but I also learned just how similar chimpanzees are to us and the exact effect the chimps have on human development in the field of medicine. The book was a very enthralling read as it is very educational on all the types of viruses and everything pertaining to viruses. -Roshini Ganesan
Nathan Wolfe did a marvelous job of explaining his studies throughout the novel. The book introduced us to hidden killers we never even knew about. His information on microbes and viruses showed us how dangerous microscopic organisms can really be. In the novel, he was able to accommodate pandemics, warnings, projections, and historical facts as well as personal experiences. Speaking of personal, Wolfe also did a great job writing the book on a more personal, relaxed level rather than strictly professionally. It made the novel much easier to read, which I enjoyed, and made it less difficult to understand. His personal anecdotes added humor to the novel as well as examples to better comprehend certain viruses, such as malaria. Although I did disagree with a majority of his thoughts, his theories made me think. They had meaning behind them, but not enough to make me fully accept it. Overall, The Viral Storm was an interesting read with great insight to the world of viruses and people today.
In The Viral Storm by Nathan Wolfe, the viruses that are present in the book are all individually unique, whether it is how severely it is contagious or deadly. Also, the manner by which the book illustrates how microbes are becoming more commonly present in today's society even though we have higher hygienic standards, especially in hunting, is agreeable. This is because the resistance that we had shared with our common ancestors had been lost when the "microbial bottleneck" took place. Rabies is one of the first pandemics, and this conveys that it rapidly spreads; wild animals are the primary sources of these viruses too. I believe that the connection between closely related species provides for efficient usage in transplants, but the process further opens a gateway for viruses to jump. Moreover, the observation of sentinels to detect viral chatter can give a chance of preventing benign viruses into becoming pandemics by developing antibodies earlier. I predict that with new developments, such as the viral micro-array and risk literacy, a system can be produced through which viruses can be stopped months before they spread through populations.
“The Viral Storm” is a novel about the unseen world of microbes. It includes many of the researches that Nathan Wolfe conducted. It reveals the origins of some of the most deadly diseases, such as the small pox, Malaria, Bird flu, HIV, Rabies. It explains the role of the microbes and how they spread to other species. Each of the major transportation advances has altered connectivity between populations and each will have their own impact on the spread of new microbes. 20% of the serious diseases begin with animals; for example, HIV was spread from chimpanzees to humans. People who engage in hunting and butchering are at the front line of viral transmission from animals to humans. Urbanization, deforestation, consumption of wild game are some of the factors that contribute to the emergence of new diseases. There are good viruses that help us to protect against other diseases and they also helps us in fighting against the deadly viruses; for example, cowpox virus helped to eradicate Small pox from this planet. Growing population of the domestic animals will help in transforming relationship between humans and microbes. He also mentions that the future world is in danger because of all the advance technologies that helps to interconnect people from various countries. This book was very interesting to read because it gives a lot of information about the deadly microbes that we have never thought of.
Nathan Wolfe starts “The Viral Storm” with the observation of viruses and bacteria that interact with humans all around the world. Viruses were the main concern through the book due to their diversity and adaptability. The hidden world of microbes goes unseen but not unheard of. Mutations of viruses have led to evolutionary benefits for the reproduced viruses that make current medicine invalid in some cases. Wolfe mentions microbial repertoire with various species that interact to transfer viruses with biting, hunting, and eating other animals. The use of fire to cook food dramatically decreased the repertoire of ancestors which was good in the past. Consequences in the present are the decrease in protection; it has lead us to possible pandemics due to the interconnectedness of the world. The origin of viruses can often be found in animals that humans are exposed to. For example HIV has been discovered to originate from SIV virus in chimpanzees. Understanding the relationship between exposers and the exposed will help the prevention of mass spread. Though viruses are deadly in cases they can also be used as vaccines to harmful viruses. One of Wolfe’s main goals to create a surveillances system that connects the world to identify new viruses before they become pandemics. Using social media and key word searching, even the internet can help locate budding viruses. “The Viral Storm” was interesting due to the microscope subject that led to such a vast effect on the world; I found it fascinating how Wolfe gave such a comprehension of the microbe world to his viewers.
I found the book The Viral Storm to be very interesting. Learning about the different types of viruses and the different symptoms really increased my knowledge about them because before reading the book, my knowledge on this subject was very minimal. For example, I can honestly say that I hadn’t heard much about the virus Ebola, but when I read it in the book, my knowledge expanded. I found it fascinating, and it made me seem pretty intelligent when I heard about it in the news. That is one of the coolest things about learning something new- when you can apply it to everyday life. It is also neat when you can have a say in the topic when it is mentioned. I also thought it was cool how evolution really plays a huge role in people and viruses. For example, Wolfe states, “As contemporary humans, we normally think of chimpanzees and bonobos, if we think of them at all, as a side-note species”, and “Six million years ago, it was an apes world.” So much can change in a matter of years. Humans are closely related to chimpanzees, but now there are over six billion humans and only an estimated one to two hundred thousand chimpanzees. Chimpanzees and Bonobos are only confined to Central Africa, whereas humans are all over the world. It goes to show how much things can change even if it’s just in a matter of a few years. I can connect this thought to one of the articles I read over the summer about technological and medical advancements. Before, doctors and scientists would have never imagined being able to cure these medical problems, but now our technology is advancing at such a fast speed that it is becoming a lot easier. I also thought it was cool how viruses can spread so fast. For example, viruses can be spread even through air or blood. Wolfe states “One of the clearest examples of how medical technology increases human microbial interconnectivity is our use of blood.” We have a lot more contact with blood than we use to which causes us to be more prone to viruses. In addition, even when you are given a needle for a blood transfusion, microbes move around, allowing them to maintain themselves or spread effectively in humans in order to survive and thrive. Pandemics like these can spread super-fast. They are interesting because the pandemic can spread even from continent to continent showing how deadly viruses can really be. Wolfe brings about a lot of interesting topics that we may have never even thought about including viruses from different regions of the world. Wolfe spent a lot of time in Africa where he encountered and learned about many different types of viruses. Increasing my knowledge on what viruses are, how they spread, evolve and mutate to become larger pandemics was definitely worth my time. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to learning many new things this year not only about viruses but also about biology in general.
Nearing the end of his novel, Nathan Wolfe describes a highly organized “24-hour global situation room for emerging diseases.” He presents the image of an international organization, a collection of varied sources, data, and individuals, working collaboratively to monitor potential outbreaks and epidemics worldwide. He shares, “This scenario is fiction. There is no such control room—yet.” The majority of Wolfe’s work, The Viral Storm, contributes to the fervent passion he holds for this idea: humans combatting the devastating and incredibly dangerous world of microbes, both discovered and undiscovered. His novel offers a conclusive end to oscillating waves of exaggeration and complete ignorance regarding the viral culprits that he so vividly describes: Ebola, plasmodium falciparum, and H1N1, to name a few. Wolfe successfully informs the general public, those individuals that are most directly affected by such viruses, that the threat is real! It is the smaller, microscopic elements of the living world that pose the greatest risk to humans. Throughout the novel, Wolfe describes the process by which viruses came to become such an intertwined component of human life. In doing so, he deepens the reader’s understanding of the dependence of viruses on their hosts and is also able to present the longevity of initial contact between primates and viruses. Illnesses that have only recently been common knowledge throughout the general public, particularly AIDS, first came into contact with humans millions of years ago when hunting became a regular source of nutrition for settled communities. Furthermore, malaria, a disease that has ravaged Sub-Saharan Africa, began with transmission of a parasite from wild apes to humans via mosquito carrier. The Viral Storm explodes with even more astonishing references to the complex relationship and interconnection between viruses and humans. This indisputable link is a recurring theme throughout the novel, and it serves to emphasize how close viruses and they have become. Wolfe’s novel is an eye-opener, eliminating any false ideas one may have about viruses (and the risk associated with their spread). Though it may provoke fear with its sometimes blatant objectivity, it serves a greater purpose. It presents a problem to the reader, but it also offers a solution. The Viral Storm ends where it begins: with a virus. Wolfe teaches readers that it is the response to this virus that makes the greatest difference.
Nathan Wolfe's "The Viral Storm" pertained to the vast world of microbes, more specifically viruses. In this day in age, our civilized communities both facilitate viral infection yet also prevent them. Discussed in the book, Wolfe begins with how viruses are always present and are very adaptable. Viral evolution can actually be seen and studied, by how rapidly it takes place. It is for that reason that viruses should be taken seriously because they are constantly evolving, finding better ways to infiltrate us and cause a serious problem not only within our bodies but globally within everyone. Viruses have evolved to be able to get inside a host with little to no detection. They then disguise themselves in our cells, insert their DNA, and reproduce. It is for their dependence of other living beings to survive and reproduce that viruses are not considered living organisms, but there is still a lot about viruses that remains a mystery. That is why virology is such a thriving and ideal field to get into because research and data can and will continue to be collected with regard to viruses and how the function. And with our expanding life styles, viruses are creeping in more and more and can and are becoming a serious threat. Wolfe conducts his research on the journey that viruses take from an original species, to different species, to humans, to ultimately pandemics. Luckily, with cooking, vaccines, and modern science, viruses can either completely be prevented and eliminated or at the very least tracked down and isolated. However, it isn't easy when they are constantly adapting to new situations even then there are developing countries in which the natives must sustain themselves through means of hunting. Hunting is a very blooding and gruesome activity that is perfect for viruses to become involved. Any sort of body fluid exchange, whether that be with consumption of undercooked food with traces of blood, blood transfusions, or any kind of wound or opening in the body that could possibly allow viruses to enter the body could be the very cause for a global pandemic. Especially now, when we all live in a globalized world and transportation allows for the movement of people unlike any time in history, viral infections could spread before we are even aware. That is why Wolfe dedicates himself to his research and the expansion of the field of virology to inform the world of the dangers that can relatively easily be prevented with certain precautions. His passion and enthusiasm not only made the book very informative yet very captivating.
The Viral Storm, by Nathan Wolfe, is a very informative piece of writing completely centered around viruses and their origins. It goes into deep detail about H1N1, H1N4, influenza, herpes, HIV, SIV, HPV, malaria, which the author contracted three times, and many more. It contains some very interesting information regarding HIV and SIV. According to scientists, HIV was basically created between the red-capped monkeys and the greater spot-nosed guenon. These species created a virus called SIV or Simian immunodeficiency virus. Basically, it’s monkey aids. Somehow, SIV managed to enter a human bloodstream and the human contracted SIV. Thus, HIV was born. I also learned about something even more astonishing: harmless viruses. I never knew they existed. The Seneca Valley virus is a virus that attacks tumor cells. This book is just packed with knowledge! It is amazing how Wolfe is able to pack so much important information of viruses into such a small piece of writing. I am truly glad I had the opportunity to read this book this summer, as I have learned a lot from this book. Tim Martin
The Viral Storm, by Nathan Wolfe, is an informative novel about the unseen world of microbes. He introduces and explains the processes of all sorts of viruses, from malaria and HIV to the common cold. Using anecdotes, world news, and scientific studies, he discusses the impact these organisms have on life and just how much they are involved with humans. In the book, Wolfe enlightens readers on microbial concepts such as they spread, what they are, and what they can do. For example, towards the beginning of his novel he discusses early humans, chimpanzees, and bonobos and the way microbes infected us. He then turns to human development and new practices such as cooking and agriculture, which greatly reduced the amount of microbes we were exposed to. He discusses ways we pass onto one another today, whether it be through an unsterilized needle or through one sneeze on an airplane. He uses this information and much more to prove his point that humans do not rule the planet, as some may think, but to microbes. Viruses, bacteria, and other microbes cover every surface on Earth and force all other life forms to adapt to them. Wolfe adds humor and a lighthearted, yet still on topic nature to the fascinating facts about our world, which makes this novel a great and interesting read. It is enjoyable and anyone interested in microbes, microbiology, or just how the world works should definitely add The Viral Storm to his or her reading list. -Erin Fowler
The Viral Storm, by Nathan Wolfe, is a detailed account of the evolution and dispersion of microbes, specifically viruses, and their relationships with the rest of the living world around them. Wolfe begins by giving readers an idea of the origins of major viruses, such as HIV an influenza, that still play a devious role within the modern world. He then goes into detail on how their interactions with living creatures throughout time have caused vast expansion of such viruses. For example, advancements such as hunting and domestication of animals have brought humans and other living beings face to face with a world of dangerous microbes that they were previously unexposed to. The result is often devastating pandemics and outbreaks amongst populations of developed, and undeveloped countries alike all around the world. In addition, the drastic advancements made in the field of transportation further facilitate the spreading of these viruses. After explaining the tall task of facing such a viral storm, Wolfe explains that he and his team of researchers are developing a system dedicated to stopping such outbreaks before they can reach major populations. All in all, this piece is packed full of information concerning the dynamics of different types of microbes and the effects they can have on the modern world. Besides being informative about the problems facing modern scientists in the area of pandemic prevention, the author offers hope by giving insight into developing, logistically sound, systems to prevent such dangers. This book has opened my eyes to the vast network of microbes all around us, where such microbes came from, and what is being done to prevent them from causing major harm to other living species. -Ben Klotz
Nathan Wolfe's The Viral Storm provided great information to the people without having them have to buy a college textbook. If I never read this book, I would of never discovered the things I read about. I never knew that chimpanzees are pack hunting strategist who share the meal no matter who got the kill. I would never of known they were ferocious monkey and human baby eating carnivorous beast. It amazed me how a virus could stay dormant for so long waiting. It will wait to spread until the host experiences high levels of stress so it won't risk an encounter with the host's immune system by leaving its hiding spot, one of our cells. When this does happen it's because the virus believes it might not get another chase to because it might lose its host to stress. I now know why cooking food properly can kill the viruses. The viruses in meat are not usually able to coupe with the heat and will unravel the protein shell. Wolfe wrote this book in a way that made sure I learned a lot of information without making me feel overwhelmed . Jacob Dezwart
The Viral Storm by Nathan Wolfe is an amazing book that gives an incredible insight into viruses and other microbes. This book talks about not only the evolution of viruses and how they survive, but recent pandemics such as H1N1 or swine flu as well. I found it particularly interesting when the author talked about how to classify a virus as a pandemic because even though a virus may be wide spread in one area, this doesn not mean that it is a pandemic, and I feel it is important to understand that. Also, it is important to understand that just because a virus has been labeled as a pandemic, there is not a reason to completely panic because it might not be very widespread. Another thing I found interesting is the scale of labeling a virus. It is important to understand the classification of a virus, such as if it is a level 3, meaning it can jump species. This is important because this helps virologists mark which viruses need to be closely watched because they may become pandemics. Viruses are complex creatures that some would hesitate to call living despite the ability of many viruses to evolve and adapt to situations. As Wolfe often states, we have just scratched the surface when it comes to learning about viruses. The Viral Storm is an excellent introduction to viruses, and a must read for anyone interested in the field.
The Viral Storm by Nathan Wolfe is a factual book that informs the reader about viruses, their roles they play when they encounter humans and the tie between viruses and pandemics. For starters, the author begins the book by introducing the main character, the virus. He raises the awareness of viruses immediately by catching the readers attention about a young boy who unfortunately died because of the "bird flu" also known as H5N1. He even explains how viruses gain control. He discloses that viruses don't have the ability to grow and that they are very dependent on their host's cells and that they match receptors to gain control of the host's cell. From there on, Nathan Wolfe begins to go into depth about the smallest known microbe. He informs the reader the origin of the first virus and he even goes as far as to list the name of the scientist, Beijerinck, who gave virus it's well known name today. He briefs over specific viruses such as HIV and even enlightens his reader with the origin of this virus. The book then goes on to the topic of pandemics and how they spread and why they aren't always so easily to contain. Nathan Wolfe explains that these reasons are because there are roads that connect people to people and that there are also viruses that are airborne or waterborne. The author however also emphasizes that growth that humans have made since the past which have allowed us to overcome some of the viruses. He lists in the book that proper hygiene and agriculture as well as eating practices has allowed our generation to mature and also avoid pandemics. Nathan however clarifies that not all viruses are bad. He explains that some of these small microorganisms actually reside within us and that they help us from harmful things. Viruses also are capable of fighting off other viruses. For example, the vaccine for influenza is in fact another virus that counteracts the influenza's intentions. Overall, the Viral Storm is a very important and informational read. It shines a light on viruses and it's dangerous and sometimes deadly outcomes but it also clarifies that it isn't entirely bad. All in all, it sums up that viruses can be good but it shouldn't be taken lightly because these tiny microbes are capable of unimaginable things. Arielle Shaw
"The Viral Storm" by Nathan Wolfe is the intriguing tale of the evolution of viruses alongside humans. It relates how human advances including hunting, domestication, cooking, transfusions, and increased connectivity through travel have developed prime conditions for the spread of viruses as pandemics. Before reading The Viral Storm I did not know much about viruses, so reading it gave me insight into the world of viruses. I learned about the different mechanisms viruses use to survive. For example, one parasite, Toxoplasma gondii can only finish its life cycle in a cat, so the microbe hijacks the infected mammal's brain and causes it to have an unusual attraction for cats. That's pretty amazing. Wolfe balances the negativity talks about the benign side of viruses. The most obvious case would be vaccines which is a weakened version of a virus. Viruses could also be used to fight chronic diseases. Wolfe also touched on the future of virology. One thing that stuck out to me was the theoretical pandemic control room in which people used combined data from pharmacies, electronic medical records, Twitter and Google trends to predict and track the spread of viruses. I was surprised that it doesn't already exist. It would be of so much help to have a control room like that. Another aspect I enjoyed was how applicable the information was. With all the talk around the Ebola patients being transferred to America I was actually informed about what was going. I actually talked to my parents about it and was able to carry on an intelligent conversation about it. It's a lot more interesting to learn something and be able to apply it to real life. The Viral Storm was much more interesting than I anticipated. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was well worth my time. Tiffany Fomby
Nathan Wolfe’s The Viral Storm is a novel about a very important topic that most of us do not even think about. He brings to our attention the large, hidden world of microbes that are all around us-especially viruses. He does this through a mixture of biology, history, medicine and personal experience which makes it very interesting to read. He brings up a new idea of predicting pandemics rather than containing and stopping them once they have already begun which is definitely a new way of thinking. This is possible through all the new technologies that are readily available to us- he even mentions that our cell phones and social media could be used to monitor the “chatter” of viruses. Tweets, Facebook posts and texts about being sick are all signals of an upcoming illness that scientists look out for. The threat of bio-terrorism that he brings up is also one that we don’t pay much attention to. Terrorists can be killed, bullets can be taken away, bombs can be defused but once a virus latches onto someone and spreads, nothing can stop it and its damage is far beyond what any man-made weapon could achieve. Overall, the book was eye opening and left me with a new perspective. There’s a whole world of living creatures that are unseen that affect us in ways unknown. Our evolution, the practice of hunting, the domestication revolution, agriculture, building of roads and much more of our history has made us all transportation devices for viruses. We are connected with microbes in more ways than we think and the new technologies and research to predict and stop viruses are growing more and more each day.
ReplyDelete-Renie George
The Viral Storm is a fascinating story about viruses and how they affect our everyday life. Its message strikes close to home, mainly because of the Ebola patient being taken to Emory in Atlanta. The book opened my eyes to the sheer amount of viruses that are out there in our world. Mr. Wolfe’s work in Africa and other nations gives us increasing access into the world of the virus. Many viruses are being monitored every day, but more are discovered along the way. Above all else, The Viral Storm made me excited to learn more about viruses. Nathan Wolfe’s fascinating work helps us as a species gain a more clear perception of viruses.
ReplyDeleteBy Kyle Walter 2nd period
Wolfe's novel is a fascinating account for the evolution of human beings and microbes side by side, and the importance of understanding how these microbes function. Within the opening pages we learn that the world is not controlled my humans but rather by the billions upon billions of microscopic lifeforms he refers to as microbes. Though these microbes are invisible to the naked eye, they have the potential to pose serious threats to the existence of human life. Wolfe explains how these microbes have cause near extinctions in the past and in the future may cause widespread pandemics. The threat of these viruses is all too real however there are proposals that may help prevent these disasters from occurring.Wolfe mentions his ideal "control room" (which one day may be a possibility, however due to lack of resources is only a dream for now) he explains how a team of scientist would closely monitor the emergence of potential microbial threats via medical reports, Google searches, and social media. It was very interesting to read about how utilizing these methods can help pinpoint the potential outbreak of a pandemic before disaster strikes. However the world that we live in today lies vulnerable to attack as we are connected more than ever now thus posing an easy means of passage for microbes. The hunting and butchering of animals also allows for direct transmission of microbes into a new host, as does blood transfusions and transplants. Upon reading what Wolfe has said, one can start to understand the seriousness of this matter.
ReplyDelete-Sean Jarnagin 2nd Period
I found Nathan Wolfe’s The Viral Storm to be a unique take on understanding viruses from our past and predicting the next pandemic that may be lurking on the horizon. Throughout the course of the book, Wolfe takes us on a journey around the globe to learn about the significant role viruses play in life. I found it interesting that he explores this role through a number of stages of human history, so that the reader can see how viruses have evolved alongside mankind. I got to see how hunting and domesticating animals caused our ancestors to come in close contact with viruses from other species. I learned the importance of modern advances such as planes and organ donation in regard to connecting the world and spreading viruses. Finally, the novel taught me that social media and cell phone data are being looked at as tools to track the next big pandemic. Overall, The Viral Storm was a intriguing way of understanding viruses and how they have changed through history.
ReplyDelete- Austin Fretwell
Nathan Wolfe, through his book The Viral Storm, explains many aspects of the viral world. He focuses on three main ideas: how viruses originated in the human species, how they spread globally, and most importantly how forecasting upcoming pandemics may be possible in the near-future. The common ancestor between chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans is who began the whole process of getting infected by viruses, since they transitioned into meat-eaters. This made it possible for many viruses from hunted animals to get introduced into our ancestors’ bodies through contact with bodily fluids. This revolutionary act has resulted in the present-day relationship between viruses and humans. For the most part, viruses such as Ebola and HIV are very harmful and deadly to humans, but viruses such as the Seneca Valley virus are beneficial to humans due to virotherapy. With increased and very advanced transportation systems, viruses are able to spread around the whole world rapidly. Due to these conditions, it is vital that scientists be able to detect pandemics before they occur, so they can be prevented. This is the aim of Nathan Wolfe’s team at Global Viral Forecasting. The idea of predicting and preventing pandemics had never occurred to me before, but Wolfe has thoroughly explained how this is definitely possible and how it could save many lives.
ReplyDelete-Karen Tharakan
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ReplyDeleteThe Viral Storm written by Nathan Wolfe is a non-fiction novel describing events of the past, present, and future involving microorganisms, specifically viruses. In this novel Wolfe writes about how many viruses started and which organisms were involved. The origins of these tiny microbes are surprising as well as interesting. Many start in the areas of the world that are not as developed as America such as Africa and Malaysia. He talks about how these microbes move from organism to organism, region to region. Through this book, many of our everyday things contribute to the upcoming pandemic. Things such as roads, planes, and the interaction with animals are what may start the pandemic Wolfe describes thoroughly in The Viral Storm. He believes that sometime in the future, our population and the other organisms on Earth will be infected with a virus that will create the pandemic. In the novel he writes about many of the diseases that involve viruses, for example malaria, Ebola, and rabies. These diseases have created a disaster but none have generated the pandemic Wolfe is worried about. In this detailed book about the billions of microbes around us, Wolfe is able to explain how diseases were started, how they affect us, and how we can prevent the pandemic from taking over the world. I loved reading about the many ways people over the years have discovered new viruses and diseases and how they treated them. Sometimes these scientists or doctors would contribute to the virus’s start. Microorganisms have always been interesting to me because they are some of the smallest things on the planet, yet they do so much to our world.
ReplyDeleteVivian Ching
The Viral Storm by Nathan Wolfe was all about the expansive world of the virus. This word virus is mentioned once or twice a year in news commonly but we are around viruses every day so why don’t we know that much about them? In this book however, Wolfe talks about every single major virus that had some sort impact in the history of medicine or has majorly affected a population such as HPV, H1N1, HIV, Malaria etc. But, Wolfe also talks about the small viruses such the virus that gets into a mice’s nervous system and convinces the mice to think that cats are friendly and approachable and then the mice get eaten by the cat when it approaches it and then thus continuing the spread of the virus. The book contains very interesting facts about viruses and how you can contain and maybe even soon prevent them from creating a pandemic. Wolfe discusses about how soon, in the future, we will be able to contain and prevent an outbreak from ever occurring through monitoring social media for any symptoms of a certain virus if there is an abnormal amount of people contracting it. This book also explains how a certain pandemic started and exactly why the virus was so successful in spreading. A bonus in this book was that Wolfe included personal experiences in his life about when he had an experiment on a certain virus or told us about a personal experience of when he got Malaria which was very fascinating to read. Nathan’s love for studying chimpanzees was very noticeable throughout the book but not only did I learn about viruses but I also learned just how similar chimpanzees are to us and the exact effect the chimps have on human development in the field of medicine. The book was a very enthralling read as it is very educational on all the types of viruses and everything pertaining to viruses.
ReplyDelete-Roshini Ganesan
Nathan Wolfe did a marvelous job of explaining his studies throughout the novel. The book introduced us to hidden killers we never even knew about. His information on microbes and viruses showed us how dangerous microscopic organisms can really be. In the novel, he was able to accommodate pandemics, warnings, projections, and historical facts as well as personal experiences. Speaking of personal, Wolfe also did a great job writing the book on a more personal, relaxed level rather than strictly professionally. It made the novel much easier to read, which I enjoyed, and made it less difficult to understand. His personal anecdotes added humor to the novel as well as examples to better comprehend certain viruses, such as malaria. Although I did disagree with a majority of his thoughts, his theories made me think. They had meaning behind them, but not enough to make me fully accept it. Overall, The Viral Storm was an interesting read with great insight to the world of viruses and people today.
ReplyDelete-Cheryl Maafoh
In The Viral Storm by Nathan Wolfe, the viruses that are present in the book are all individually unique, whether it is how severely it is contagious or deadly. Also, the manner by which the book illustrates how microbes are becoming more commonly present in today's society even though we have higher hygienic standards, especially in hunting, is agreeable. This is because the resistance that we had shared with our common ancestors had been lost when the "microbial bottleneck" took place. Rabies is one of the first pandemics, and this conveys that it rapidly spreads; wild animals are the primary sources of these viruses too. I believe that the connection between closely related species provides for efficient usage in transplants, but the process further opens a gateway for viruses to jump. Moreover, the observation of sentinels to detect viral chatter can give a chance of preventing benign viruses into becoming pandemics by developing antibodies earlier. I predict that with new developments, such as the viral micro-array and risk literacy, a system can be produced through which viruses can be stopped months before they spread through populations.
ReplyDeleteGabriella Thomas
“The Viral Storm” is a novel about the unseen world of microbes. It includes many of the researches that Nathan Wolfe conducted. It reveals the origins of some of the most deadly diseases, such as the small pox, Malaria, Bird flu, HIV, Rabies. It explains the role of the microbes and how they spread to other species. Each of the major transportation advances has altered connectivity between populations and each will have their own impact on the spread of new microbes. 20% of the serious diseases begin with animals; for example, HIV was spread from chimpanzees to humans. People who engage in hunting and butchering are at the front line of viral transmission from animals to humans. Urbanization, deforestation, consumption of wild game are some of the factors that contribute to the emergence of new diseases. There are good viruses that help us to protect against other diseases and they also helps us in fighting against the deadly viruses; for example, cowpox virus helped to eradicate Small pox from this planet. Growing population of the domestic animals will help in transforming relationship between humans and microbes. He also mentions that the future world is in danger because of all the advance technologies that helps to interconnect people from various countries. This book was very interesting to read because it gives a lot of information about the deadly microbes that we have never thought of.
ReplyDelete-Debin Joseph (Period 2)
Nathan Wolfe starts “The Viral Storm” with the observation of viruses and bacteria that interact with humans all around the world. Viruses were the main concern through the book due to their diversity and adaptability. The hidden world of microbes goes unseen but not unheard of. Mutations of viruses have led to evolutionary benefits for the reproduced viruses that make current medicine invalid in some cases. Wolfe mentions microbial repertoire with various species that interact to transfer viruses with biting, hunting, and eating other animals. The use of fire to cook food dramatically decreased the repertoire of ancestors which was good in the past. Consequences in the present are the decrease in protection; it has lead us to possible pandemics due to the interconnectedness of the world. The origin of viruses can often be found in animals that humans are exposed to. For example HIV has been discovered to originate from SIV virus in chimpanzees. Understanding the relationship between exposers and the exposed will help the prevention of mass spread. Though viruses are deadly in cases they can also be used as vaccines to harmful viruses. One of Wolfe’s main goals to create a surveillances system that connects the world to identify new viruses before they become pandemics. Using social media and key word searching, even the internet can help locate budding viruses. “The Viral Storm” was interesting due to the microscope subject that led to such a vast effect on the world; I found it fascinating how Wolfe gave such a comprehension of the microbe world to his viewers.
ReplyDelete~Jasmine Ito
I found the book The Viral Storm to be very interesting. Learning about the different types of viruses and the different symptoms really increased my knowledge about them because before reading the book, my knowledge on this subject was very minimal. For example, I can honestly say that I hadn’t heard much about the virus Ebola, but when I read it in the book, my knowledge expanded. I found it fascinating, and it made me seem pretty intelligent when I heard about it in the news. That is one of the coolest things about learning something new- when you can apply it to everyday life. It is also neat when you can have a say in the topic when it is mentioned. I also thought it was cool how evolution really plays a huge role in people and viruses. For example, Wolfe states, “As contemporary humans, we normally think of chimpanzees and bonobos, if we think of them at all, as a side-note species”, and “Six million years ago, it was an apes world.” So much can change in a matter of years. Humans are closely related to chimpanzees, but now there are over six billion humans and only an estimated one to two hundred thousand chimpanzees. Chimpanzees and Bonobos are only confined to Central Africa, whereas humans are all over the world. It goes to show how much things can change even if it’s just in a matter of a few years. I can connect this thought to one of the articles I read over the summer about technological and medical advancements. Before, doctors and scientists would have never imagined being able to cure these medical problems, but now our technology is advancing at such a fast speed that it is becoming a lot easier. I also thought it was cool how viruses can spread so fast. For example, viruses can be spread even through air or blood. Wolfe states “One of the clearest examples of how medical technology increases human microbial interconnectivity is our use of blood.” We have a lot more contact with blood than we use to which causes us to be more prone to viruses. In addition, even when you are given a needle for a blood transfusion, microbes move around, allowing them to maintain themselves or spread effectively in humans in order to survive and thrive. Pandemics like these can spread super-fast. They are interesting because the pandemic can spread even from continent to continent showing how deadly viruses can really be. Wolfe brings about a lot of interesting topics that we may have never even thought about including viruses from different regions of the world. Wolfe spent a lot of time in Africa where he encountered and learned about many different types of viruses. Increasing my knowledge on what viruses are, how they spread, evolve and mutate to become larger pandemics was definitely worth my time. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to learning many new things this year not only about viruses but also about biology in general.
ReplyDelete~Lamiyah Mussaji
Nearing the end of his novel, Nathan Wolfe describes a highly organized “24-hour global situation room for emerging diseases.” He presents the image of an international organization, a collection of varied sources, data, and individuals, working collaboratively to monitor potential outbreaks and epidemics worldwide. He shares, “This scenario is fiction. There is no such control room—yet.” The majority of Wolfe’s work, The Viral Storm, contributes to the fervent passion he holds for this idea: humans combatting the devastating and incredibly dangerous world of microbes, both discovered and undiscovered. His novel offers a conclusive end to oscillating waves of exaggeration and complete ignorance regarding the viral culprits that he so vividly describes: Ebola, plasmodium falciparum, and H1N1, to name a few. Wolfe successfully informs the general public, those individuals that are most directly affected by such viruses, that the threat is real! It is the smaller, microscopic elements of the living world that pose the greatest risk to humans. Throughout the novel, Wolfe describes the process by which viruses came to become such an intertwined component of human life. In doing so, he deepens the reader’s understanding of the dependence of viruses on their hosts and is also able to present the longevity of initial contact between primates and viruses. Illnesses that have only recently been common knowledge throughout the general public, particularly AIDS, first came into contact with humans millions of years ago when hunting became a regular source of nutrition for settled communities. Furthermore, malaria, a disease that has ravaged Sub-Saharan Africa, began with transmission of a parasite from wild apes to humans via mosquito carrier. The Viral Storm explodes with even more astonishing references to the complex relationship and interconnection between viruses and humans. This indisputable link is a recurring theme throughout the novel, and it serves to emphasize how close viruses and they have become. Wolfe’s novel is an eye-opener, eliminating any false ideas one may have about viruses (and the risk associated with their spread). Though it may provoke fear with its sometimes blatant objectivity, it serves a greater purpose. It presents a problem to the reader, but it also offers a solution. The Viral Storm ends where it begins: with a virus. Wolfe teaches readers that it is the response to this virus that makes the greatest difference.
ReplyDelete- Sofia Ali
Nathan Wolfe's "The Viral Storm" pertained to the vast world of microbes, more specifically viruses. In this day in age, our civilized communities both facilitate viral infection yet also prevent them. Discussed in the book, Wolfe begins with how viruses are always present and are very adaptable. Viral evolution can actually be seen and studied, by how rapidly it takes place. It is for that reason that viruses should be taken seriously because they are constantly evolving, finding better ways to infiltrate us and cause a serious problem not only within our bodies but globally within everyone. Viruses have evolved to be able to get inside a host with little to no detection. They then disguise themselves in our cells, insert their DNA, and reproduce. It is for their dependence of other living beings to survive and reproduce that viruses are not considered living organisms, but there is still a lot about viruses that remains a mystery. That is why virology is such a thriving and ideal field to get into because research and data can and will continue to be collected with regard to viruses and how the function. And with our expanding life styles, viruses are creeping in more and more and can and are becoming a serious threat. Wolfe conducts his research on the journey that viruses take from an original species, to different species, to humans, to ultimately pandemics. Luckily, with cooking, vaccines, and modern science, viruses can either completely be prevented and eliminated or at the very least tracked down and isolated. However, it isn't easy when they are constantly adapting to new situations even then there are developing countries in which the natives must sustain themselves through means of hunting. Hunting is a very blooding and gruesome activity that is perfect for viruses to become involved. Any sort of body fluid exchange, whether that be with consumption of undercooked food with traces of blood, blood transfusions, or any kind of wound or opening in the body that could possibly allow viruses to enter the body could be the very cause for a global pandemic. Especially now, when we all live in a globalized world and transportation allows for the movement of people unlike any time in history, viral infections could spread before we are even aware. That is why Wolfe dedicates himself to his research and the expansion of the field of virology to inform the world of the dangers that can relatively easily be prevented with certain precautions. His passion and enthusiasm not only made the book very informative yet very captivating.
ReplyDeleteThe Viral Storm, by Nathan Wolfe, is a very informative piece of writing completely centered around viruses and their origins. It goes into deep detail about H1N1, H1N4, influenza, herpes, HIV, SIV, HPV, malaria, which the author contracted three times, and many more. It contains some very interesting information regarding HIV and SIV. According to scientists, HIV was basically created between the red-capped monkeys and the greater spot-nosed guenon. These species created a virus called SIV or Simian immunodeficiency virus. Basically, it’s monkey aids. Somehow, SIV managed to enter a human bloodstream and the human contracted SIV. Thus, HIV was born. I also learned about something even more astonishing: harmless viruses. I never knew they existed. The Seneca Valley virus is a virus that attacks tumor cells. This book is just packed with knowledge! It is amazing how Wolfe is able to pack so much important information of viruses into such a small piece of writing. I am truly glad I had the opportunity to read this book this summer, as I have learned a lot from this book.
ReplyDeleteTim Martin
The Viral Storm, by Nathan Wolfe, is an informative novel about the unseen world of microbes. He introduces and explains the processes of all sorts of viruses, from malaria and HIV to the common cold. Using anecdotes, world news, and scientific studies, he discusses the impact these organisms have on life and just how much they are involved with humans. In the book, Wolfe enlightens readers on microbial concepts such as they spread, what they are, and what they can do. For example, towards the beginning of his novel he discusses early humans, chimpanzees, and bonobos and the way microbes infected us. He then turns to human development and new practices such as cooking and agriculture, which greatly reduced the amount of microbes we were exposed to. He discusses ways we pass onto one another today, whether it be through an unsterilized needle or through one sneeze on an airplane. He uses this information and much more to prove his point that humans do not rule the planet, as some may think, but to microbes. Viruses, bacteria, and other microbes cover every surface on Earth and force all other life forms to adapt to them. Wolfe adds humor and a lighthearted, yet still on topic nature to the fascinating facts about our world, which makes this novel a great and interesting read. It is enjoyable and anyone interested in microbes, microbiology, or just how the world works should definitely add The Viral Storm to his or her reading list.
ReplyDelete-Erin Fowler
The Viral Storm, by Nathan Wolfe, is a detailed account of the evolution and dispersion of microbes, specifically viruses, and their relationships with the rest of the living world around them. Wolfe begins by giving readers an idea of the origins of major viruses, such as HIV an influenza, that still play a devious role within the modern world. He then goes into detail on how their interactions with living creatures throughout time have caused vast expansion of such viruses. For example, advancements such as hunting and domestication of animals have brought humans and other living beings face to face with a world of dangerous microbes that they were previously unexposed to. The result is often devastating pandemics and outbreaks amongst populations of developed, and undeveloped countries alike all around the world. In addition, the drastic advancements made in the field of transportation further facilitate the spreading of these viruses. After explaining the tall task of facing such a viral storm, Wolfe explains that he and his team of researchers are developing a system dedicated to stopping such outbreaks before they can reach major populations. All in all, this piece is packed full of information concerning the dynamics of different types of microbes and the effects they can have on the modern world. Besides being informative about the problems facing modern scientists in the area of pandemic prevention, the author offers hope by giving insight into developing, logistically sound, systems to prevent such dangers. This book has opened my eyes to the vast network of microbes all around us, where such microbes came from, and what is being done to prevent them from causing major harm to other living species.
ReplyDelete-Ben Klotz
Nathan Wolfe's The Viral Storm provided great information to the people without having them have to buy a college textbook. If I never read this book, I would of never discovered the things I read about. I never knew that chimpanzees are pack hunting strategist who share the meal no matter who got the kill. I would never of known they were ferocious monkey and human baby eating carnivorous beast. It amazed me how a virus could stay dormant for so long waiting. It will wait to spread until the host experiences high levels of stress so it won't risk an encounter with the host's immune system by leaving its hiding spot, one of our cells. When this does happen it's because the virus believes it might not get another chase to because it might lose its host to stress. I now know why cooking food properly can kill the viruses. The viruses in meat are not usually able to coupe with the heat and will unravel the protein shell. Wolfe wrote this book in a way that made sure I learned a lot of information without making me feel overwhelmed .
ReplyDeleteJacob Dezwart
The Viral Storm by Nathan Wolfe is an amazing book that gives an incredible insight into viruses and other microbes. This book talks about not only the evolution of viruses and how they survive, but recent pandemics such as H1N1 or swine flu as well. I found it particularly interesting when the author talked about how to classify a virus as a pandemic because even though a virus may be wide spread in one area, this doesn not mean that it is a pandemic, and I feel it is important to understand that. Also, it is important to understand that just because a virus has been labeled as a pandemic, there is not a reason to completely panic because it might not be very widespread. Another thing I found interesting is the scale of labeling a virus. It is important to understand the classification of a virus, such as if it is a level 3, meaning it can jump species. This is important because this helps virologists mark which viruses need to be closely watched because they may become pandemics. Viruses are complex creatures that some would hesitate to call living despite the ability of many viruses to evolve and adapt to situations. As Wolfe often states, we have just scratched the surface when it comes to learning about viruses. The Viral Storm is an excellent introduction to viruses, and a must read for anyone interested in the field.
ReplyDeleteThe Viral Storm by Nathan Wolfe is a factual book that informs the reader about viruses, their roles they play when they encounter humans and the tie between viruses and pandemics. For starters, the author begins the book by introducing the main character, the virus. He raises the awareness of viruses immediately by catching the readers attention about a young boy who unfortunately died because of the "bird flu" also known as H5N1. He even explains how viruses gain control. He discloses that viruses don't have the ability to grow and that they are very dependent on their host's cells and that they match receptors to gain control of the host's cell. From there on, Nathan Wolfe begins to go into depth about the smallest known microbe. He informs the reader the origin of the first virus and he even goes as far as to list the name of the scientist, Beijerinck, who gave virus it's well known name today. He briefs over specific viruses such as HIV and even enlightens his reader with the origin of this virus. The book then goes on to the topic of pandemics and how they spread and why they aren't always so easily to contain. Nathan Wolfe explains that these reasons are because there are roads that connect people to people and that there are also viruses that are airborne or waterborne. The author however also emphasizes that growth that humans have made since the past which have allowed us to overcome some of the viruses. He lists in the book that proper hygiene and agriculture as well as eating practices has allowed our generation to mature and also avoid pandemics. Nathan however clarifies that not all viruses are bad. He explains that some of these small microorganisms actually reside within us and that they help us from harmful things. Viruses also are capable of fighting off other viruses. For example, the vaccine for influenza is in fact another virus that counteracts the influenza's intentions. Overall, the Viral Storm is a very important and informational read. It shines a light on viruses and it's dangerous and sometimes deadly outcomes but it also clarifies that it isn't entirely bad. All in all, it sums up that viruses can be good but it shouldn't be taken lightly because these tiny microbes are capable of unimaginable things.
ReplyDeleteArielle Shaw
"The Viral Storm" by Nathan Wolfe is the intriguing tale of the evolution of viruses alongside humans. It relates how human advances including hunting, domestication, cooking, transfusions, and increased connectivity through travel have developed prime conditions for the spread of viruses as pandemics. Before reading The Viral Storm I did not know much about viruses, so reading it gave me insight into the world of viruses. I learned about the different mechanisms viruses use to survive. For example, one parasite, Toxoplasma gondii can only finish its life cycle in a cat, so the microbe hijacks the infected mammal's brain and causes it to have an unusual attraction for cats. That's pretty amazing. Wolfe balances the negativity talks about the benign side of viruses. The most obvious case would be vaccines which is a weakened version of a virus. Viruses could also be used to fight chronic diseases. Wolfe also touched on the future of virology. One thing that stuck out to me was the theoretical pandemic control room in which people used combined data from pharmacies, electronic medical records, Twitter and Google trends to predict and track the spread of viruses. I was surprised that it doesn't already exist. It would be of so much help to have a control room like that. Another aspect I enjoyed was how applicable the information was. With all the talk around the Ebola patients being transferred to America I was actually informed about what was going. I actually talked to my parents about it and was able to carry on an intelligent conversation about it. It's a lot more interesting to learn something and be able to apply it to real life. The Viral Storm was much more interesting than I anticipated. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was well worth my time.
ReplyDeleteTiffany Fomby