US confirms first case of bird flu with no known animal exposure

We've known since at least March that about 10 human cases of this new bird flu would allow the virus to mutate and adapt to humans. This is the 14th reported case in the states this year, and the first which could have been transmitted from human to human. We understood what was happening, yet have really done nothing to try to prevent it's spread.

The mutation rate baked into Influenza's reproduction cycle is much more elaborate than coronaviruses, and this isn't exactly a bad thing. When a human catches bird flu from a bird, the mortality rates are pretty burly as this version of the virus attaches to the α2:3 receptor. While this receptor is found throughout the avian digestive and respiratory track, it's only found in the lower lungs of humans. A lower lung infection will always be gnarlier than an upper respiratory infection. Human influenza viruses have a preference for the α2:6 receptor, which is found throughout our airway. This is the primary adaptation which occurs when influenza mutates to infect humans. But a virus is a parasite, so in their ideal world, they wouldn't kill their host. Viruses often do the most damage when adapting to or having recently adapted to a new host. Hopefully, the mutation rate of influenza will result in a shorter pandemic compared to COVID if it ends up taking place.

Are you wearing a mask in public yet?

Never have been, never will be.

Republicans said COVID was just a little flu, and nature said, hold my beer, I'll remind you how bad a flu pandemic is.

As an example, COVID killed like .0875% of the global population. Spanish flu killed between 2.25 and 5.5% of the global population at the time, depending on which estimates are more correct.

Hell yeah, let's go! I personally had a good time last go. I know a lot not of people did not and I don't want anyone hurt but I wouldn't mind being forced home 24/7 again. Only way I'm getting a fucking break from my life at this point.

Nope. 1.5 million dead Americans including my dad, shutdown economy and blatant racism making a comeback? No thanks. Don't want.

Lol what the fuck do you think?

I think this is jumping to conclusions. We saw bird flu and swine flu spreads between humans too before covid.

Plenty of these kinds of flus, and only 1 covid.