A year ago, who knew that we would all soon know what PPE stands for?
A year ago, who knew that we would toss off “comorbidities” in casual conversation and without having to take a run at it?
A year ago, who knew that we had so many epidemiologists and infectious-disease specialists in this country? I swear, except for one guy who has a regular gig on CBC TV, I see a new epidemiologist on TV every day. Well, I guess their professional association knew about some of them, but even they might not have a complete count.
The Canadian Society for Epidemiology (CSEB) membership includes
over 300 epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and students
across Canada and internationally —
and becoming a member is easy and affordable!
– CSEB website
Becoming a member is easy and affordable? Well, I guess except for the part where you have to get to be an epidemiologist first.
Anyway, it makes me wonder. Like, what will we all know a year from now?
Isabel
That is so thought-provoking. The link between the “past we know” and the “future we know not yet.” And here we are, all travelers on that mystical journey into…?
Tom
Tom – I find it easy to see the new things I know and hard to remember that what I know now is not complete.
My word snobbery came crashing into me as this pandemic lengthened. In 2018 when I was travelling in the British Isles, I was astounded that they called payment by “tap” “contactless payment”. I twitted my friend in England about how hard it was to say “contactless”, and she wished they would adopt “tap”. Now, less than two years later, we are as facile at saying “contactless” as “comorbitities”. When will I learn to keep my irrelevant judgements to myself!
Judith – When you figure out how to do it, let me know . . .
“comorbidities†— speak for yourself. First time I’ve seen the new word.
Barbara – You need to spend a little more quality time with epidemiologists . . .
What will we know? probably somebody who has died from COVID or many that had had it and survived, but with lingering aftereffects. (Is that a word?)
Eight months in and I already know one of each (above).
Barbara – So far I only know people who know people who have been sick or who have died. I don’t suppose that will last. And yes, “aftereffects” with or without a hyphen is a word.
One candidate for the future you propose is the knowledge of several types of vaccination that differ widely in their biological routes to quelling the CORONA-19 virus. I’m amazed what I can learn about arcane subjects when I think my life and those of my family and friends may depend upon it.
Laurna – I was just reading about the unusual approach the Pfizer vaccine (and another? I think so) has taken. Gotta love innovation. Don’t gotta love the reason for the motivation for the innovation.
And that -70 degrees delivery requirement is going to be tricky — times two.
Laurna – Yes, life is logistics. Easy for those of us who don’t have to actually do it.
So, is a vaccine a scratch on the arm (like small pox) or a shot into the arm?
Barbara – I believe the method of administration is not relevant. I’m old enough to remember getting a polio vaccine/booster via purple liquid on a sugar cube. This article talks about the smallpox vaccine being delivered just to the subcutaneous layer, whereas the flu shot is into muscle.