"If a pig catches both a human influenza A virus and an avian influenza A virus at the same time, it can spark a process known as viral reassortment — a genetic exchange in which flu viruses swap gene segments."
"Those swaps can introduce dramatic changes, producing a new virus with certain properties of a non-human strain coupled with the capacity to infect and spread between people."
"The death rate in humans may be upwards of 50 per cent, World Health Organization data suggests, though it's possible that milder infections are getting missed, skewing the case fatality ratio. Still, in a population that's never been exposed, the global impacts could be dire."
"More human cases could also be happening under the radar among farm workers who've moved to the U.S. from abroad, don't speak English as their first language, and may be hesitant to seek medical help, he added."
"So I think there's probably underreporting on both sides," Armstrong said."
"If [H5N1] gets into a population where there's constantly animals going in and out … it might not ever leave."
I've been watching this develop for the past several days, and apart from being terrified most people will not take this seriously (I've seen a handful of people already shout conspiracy on social media and it's alarming to see, as always). What I wanted to point out is that pandemics are going to continue to be our 'normal.' I watched a great video on YouTube a while ago (I believe it was by Vice?) that touched base on how this is going to become our new reality because of multiple factors (such as our proximity to animals, and environments/etc). It was when Covid hit and they did a piece debunking some of the misinformation floating on the internet. If I can find it I will post it here because it was informative and relevant to pretty much any world crisis we will see around any virus that spreads among a human population.
This post isn't trying to fear monger anyone, I just hope more people are aware of what is happening because this is important to talk about. There are already cases (of cows getting this bird flu) in the US, and I won't be surprised if there will be instances in more countries around the world. As usual, keep washing your hands/keeping good hygiene practices, masking up (and if you aren't I hope you consider it), and taking precautions if you do happen to visit/work or go near a pig or poultry farm too:
I'll keep track of this here of course, but please stay informed folks. And also FU to any governments who will try to minimize this or try to diminish the severity until it's too late and community spread happens like Covid because their actions are influenced by capitalistic interests.
Update (April 7th, 2024, 9:32pm EST): to anyone wondering where some of the source information originates from -here is a link to the CDC. They are tracking documented avian virus outbreaks in the US and the public can access it here:
I help the company I work for make over 20x what they pay me a hour. This is rounded DOWN. fml, fuck capitalism and please consider revolutionary theory + workplace organization. That's all.
Humanity needs a spiritual Renaissance that is founded in freedom and self-determination. Where there is an enthusiasm for life and striving to live more abundantly - body, mind, and soul.
Humanity needs to look both inward and outward for all the truths and solutions that we've accumulated over our time on Earth.
I think if the most privileged, the most wealthy, the most intelligent, the most resourceful, and the most well connected among us come together that we can solve this issue of the human condition.
And by "solve" I mean create a world that is so unlike this in form and function as to seem fantastic and paradisical.
Where there is a will that strives for progress against all odds, there is a chance for the impossible.
1. Why the fuck can't my 2014 computer run games from 2005?? Like i get that they're made for different things or whatever, but in nine years of development the fucking computer can't do what a PlayStation 2 could? But it can play Minecraft flawlessly?? I swear to god.
2. Why are capitalists so bad at capitalism? Instead of doing this whole thing around emulation and them getting their panties in a bunch over piracy they could just give people a console that plays all the games they have rights to, and charge like $100 for the console and $5 a game and be fucking *printing* money hut instead this remains the only artistic medium that is unavailable past a certain time frame because they're only focused on the fucking new gen. Like... I've never had to fight to watch a movie bc mp4 files play on fucking everything. Make it makes sense computer people, fuck.
I don't know who needs to hear this but KEEP BOYCOTTING, not only for Palestinians and the Congolese people but for us to. OUR OPPRESSION IS CONNECTED AND THE ONLY WAY TO DISMANTLE THE OPPRESSIVE CAPITALISTIC WHITE SUPREMACIST SYSTEMS IS TO HARM THEIR POCKETS AND TAKE AWAY THEIR FINANCIAL POWER.
YOU discover a giant meteorite is hurtling toward the earth, this will kill all of humanity including those on space stations. But if you warn everyone now the Billionaires can make it to their super bunkers and survive. This is an all or nothing game, do you want to save humanity by saving the worst of us?
Fine print. Only the billionaires would be saved. No other 'humans' would be saved. The meteorite cannot be stopped, escape to space is impossible for all.
[Image description Screenshot from Rule 34 porn site advertising "rule #34 If it exists there IS porn of it" search bar has "ethical capitalism" and returns no results]
What if every time a corporation broke a promise/contract pertaining to emissions/fair pay/workplace harassment we fired, fined, and replaced the CEO (and maybe other members of upper management)?
I bet corporations would break promises a lot less.
Trying to explain to tech bros on Reddit that human beings are not in fact word calculators and that “AI” are not even remotely comparable to even the most basic forms of life is a great way to remind yourself that the real danger of “AI” isn’t some robot apocalypse. It’s living in a world ruled by powerful technocrats and businessmen who have deluded themselves into believing their fax machine is alive because they can’t really see the difference between an unthinking unfeeling machine with no interior will, desire, or life of its own that exists only to serve them and another person.
That I fear is a lot more realistic than a robot uprising or being turned into a paperclip by a Gray Goo.