(Two-minute read) 

The name coronavirus is derived from the Latin corona, meaning “crown” or “halo”, or “wreath”.

The name refers to the characteristic appearance of the infective form of the virus.
Human coronaviruses were first discovered in the late 1960s they including SARS-CoV in 2003, HCoV NL63 in 2004, HKU1 in 2005, MERS-CoV in 2012, and SARS-CoV-2 (formerly known as 2019-nCoV) in 2019.

Human to human transmission of coronaviruses is primarily thought to occur among close contacts.

Viruses can infect all types of life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea.

The most recent common ancestor of all coronaviruses has been placed at around 8000 BCE.

Since then there is quite a selection of our friend Corona with four or five that continually circulate in the human population with more regularity 2003, 12, 15, 18, 19,20, 

Bovine coronavirus and human coronavirus OC43 diverged around the 1890s.

Some can kill more than 30% of those infected (such as MERS-Cov), and some are relatively harmless, such as the common cold.

Coronaviruses have the largest genomes of all RNA viruses. The host cell components to allow RNA synthesis is not well understood. Virus any member of a unique class of infectious agents, which were originally distinguished by their smallness (hence, they were described as “filtrable”  Because of their ability to pass through fine ceramic filters that blocked all cells, including bacteria) and their inability to replicate outside of and without the assistance of a living host cell. 

Because these properties are shared by certain bacteria viruses are now characterized by their simple organization and their unique mode of replication. A virus consists of genetic material, which may be either DNA or RNA, and is surrounded by a protein coat and, in some viruses, by a membranous envelope.

This strain that is currently going around is remarkably stable giving how much transmission which could be put down to that it does not need to change as it is doing a great job spreading around the world. 

It is not affected by seasonal variations, as it has already sucessfuly handled all-weather cold or warm.

There are no surveillance world networks for the flu that tells us where it disappears to.

If we don’t learn from this pandemic that we need to understand these Viruses we will bring them to outer space if we ever get there. 

All human comments appreciated. All like clicks and abuse chucked in the bin.