• Question: There are rumours that the COVID-19 virus was modified to affect the elder and people with a weak immune sistem. Is this possible and if it is how difficult is it and how would you have to do it?

    Asked by anon-256665 on 12 Jun 2020.
    • Photo: Alex Holmes

      Alex Holmes answered on 12 Jun 2020:

      Hi AlexH – I’m also an AlexH how cool!

      So there’s a lot of evidence disproving that covid-19 was ever made in a lab or modified, but just occurred naturally – hopefully that’ll put you at ease!

      In terms of affecting elderly people and weak immune systems? Well we’ve seen for a long time and in a lot of other diseases that elderly people are affected worse because their bodies are less able to fight off the illness in the same ways a young person would. Elderly people can also have other illnesses at the same time and it can be overwhelming for the body to have to deal with that and then a virus on top!

      For people with weaker immune systems, it kind of makes sense that if you’re immune system is struggling already then throwing a virus in the mix that your body has to make an immune response to is going to be more difficult for them to deal with. That’s why elderly and ill people have been asked to stay inside during the pandemic so that they’re less likely to be exposed to the virus and get ill.

      I also wonder like, what would the point of a virus like that be? We all have grandparents and we all know people that might be badly affected and none of us want them to get ill.

    • Photo: David Yuan

      David Yuan answered on 12 Jun 2020:

      The immune system, by its name, is the major defence system againt viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. If a person has a weaker immune system, you can see, he / she would get sick easily with diseases by all viruses, etc., even by the kind of viruses, bacteria, etc. normally harmless to most of us.
      Elder people, almost with no exception, have weaker immune systems than younger people. In fact, all body functions get weaker as we age. The immune system is no exception. Therefore, the elders have bigger chance get infected by all pathogens, including COVID-19. Now, you can see that the rumours make no sense.
      Scientists do modify viruses to cure people. In fact, one of the vacines against COVID-19 is to place some of the genetic fragments into another harmless virus. This recombined virus appears to our immune systems somewhat like the corona virus hurting us but actual harmless. This would give our immune systems a chance to get ready before we are in contact with the real corona virus, and thus, have enough power to kill the invadors immediately. This is a very long and difficult process. It likely takes years, not days, weeks or months.
      The opposite is not only unethical but also makes no sense. Pandanmics caused by viruses, etc. would affect everyone in every country. The current wave of infection is an unfortunate natural phenomenon.

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